Chapter Questions The Secret River London 5/03/14 4.

. The readers are positioned to sympathise with and in a sense, root for William Thornhill. His determination and dedication to his letters and his craft show his desperation to surpass his parents and also his perseverance to make sure his family lives comfortably. 5. The gentry are represented by Grenville as a group that are only blessed with their comfort because of their ancestors hard-work. That is, they are unable to fend for themselves in common society. This is seen especially during a high-class couples ride on Thornhills boat. The lower-class are depicted as having to constantly serve the gentry and at the same time, being more capable than they are. 6. Sals strong will exhibited during William Thornhills conviction and death sentence reveals her stability of mind. Despite losing her parents and home, she deals with her setbacks with optimism find new houses each time they are evicted and even turning to prostitution in order to support her family. Her attitude to change equips her with the capacity to better handle the change in lifestyle from London to Sydney. 7. The London section of TSR reminds readers of the importance of language. Being literate especially during the 18th century was the sign of wealthy. Only the middle and upper classes could afford to learn to manipulate language. William Thornhill learning to write his own name is a representation of him moving up a rung in the social ladder. Sydney 1. Both William and Sal struggle with the new harsh landscape and the Aborigines. Sal, in particular, had a difficult time dealing with the weather, By God, Will have you ever seen anything like it? The Thornhills were also intimidated by the many encounters they had with the natives. The murder of settlers by Aborigines read in The Gazette and Williams excursion along the Hawkesbury made them aware of the power these people still held. On the other hand, the similarities the couple saw in Sydney with London was the trade that William continued to hold. His unbreakable attraction to the boats and river was seen in Sydney. 2. Scabby Bills markings echo Thornhills own after he was whipped for stealing sugar. Both SB and Thornhills scars are a reminder of the social hierarchy that rules their lives. The scars that SB bears are the result of the British influence and the spread of disease, the effect of the superior British on SB meant disease and also the theft of his culture. Thornhill experiences with people of higher social status result in his deportation and also the humiliation he suffers throughout the novel. 3.