Racism in Divine Wind by Gary Disher Essay - 629 Words

Today I want to address the issues of the novel Divine Wind authored by Gary Disher. Throughout the novel many problems occur. Some of the main problems are racial and equality issues. Events in this book show how prejudice and intolerance can ruin numerous friendships and change lives. When WWII was declared in Broome, Western Australia 1939 to 1945 Japan became Australia’s enemy, Asia is approximately 3,862 miles away from the coast of Broome, due to this, people from Asia that country looking for an escape would easily get on a boat an sail to the tip, Broome then suddenly exposed to more people who are different from the norm. Concerns about the Japanese-Australians as well as Aboriginals had an impact on Australians as they†¦show more content†¦Australia in this time was quite defensive about whom they trusted. Even Japanese-Australians, they had an issue towards them simply because the higher authorities thought they would turn on them. Disher tries to imply his view that loyalty within the authorities was at high demand and this portrays the distrust they held against anyone who questioned them. The judgment against the aboriginal and Japanese people increased during the war period. An example for this would be the name calling by the locals at the Penrose family even though they stayed loyal towards each other and their friends. ABORIGINAL RACISM In the chapter ‘Desired earth’ there was a discussion between Morrissey who is a military commander, Lester Webb, Carl and Alice who takes care of derby whom is aboriginal. â€Å"The abos are going to be a liability if the japs land† Morrissey to Carl And â€Å"if the abos cause trouble we can shoot them, no questions asked† Lester to Alice They all had a discussion about the ‘foreign’ people and how they would turn against Australian people, all three men made harsh statements while Alice stood up for what she believed. They as in aboriginal and Japanese people are not bad. JAPANESE INTERNMENT (concentration camps for Japanese people) During WWII and around that time period things got pretty heated towards different races, Chinese taxi drivers were bashed and when they would be selling their goods at markets to get money to even survive they wouldShow MoreRelatedThe Construction of Derby Boxer-Divine Wind1116 Words   |  5 PagesThe Divine Wind – Q1 The Construction of Derby Boxer In the years preceding the First World War, Australia was rife with racism, sexism, suspicion, and class prejudice. However, Broome in Australia’s north-west, was a place of notable exception. Its inhabitants of Japanese, Aboriginal and European lived in a semi-balance of equality. This relationship was needed because; only as a symbiotic society could the community develop and grow in such an isolated and remorseless environment. Gary Disher’s