Resource 5: Study Guide for Romulus My Father

Chapter 1

1. Early in this chapter Romulus cultural context is established. These early influences on his
character become the essence of his identity. Where does Romulus feel he belongs and what
aspects of his culture become ingrained in his character?

2. Comment on Raimonds perspective of how he feels that he does not belong to the world of his
father. What comparisons are drawn? (pg 2 4)

3. How in the statement, Childhood as we know it. (pg 2), positions the reader towards a particular
perspective?

4. Discuss the effect of the use of past and present tense to establish the form of this text.

5. How did Romulus not belong to Christines middle class background? What made him acceptable
to her parents? (pg 6, 7)

Chapter 2

6. This chapter begins with the arrival of the Gaitas to Australia in 1950. Clearly their immediate
difference is highlighted by the term immigrant; later terms such as new Australian and foreigner
are used. How do these labels alienate and how does Romulus reconcile these? (pg 16)

7. Describe the historical context of Baringhup.

8. How does the landscape become symbolic of Romulus sense of alienation? (pg. 14)

9. The need to connect or belong is essential to the human spirit. How does Romulus try to establish a
sense of community in his new environment? (pg 14, 15)
Chapter 3

10. What aspects of the landscape illustrate the tensions between the desire to belong and alienation?
(pg 21 23)

11. Christine was a troubled city girl from Central Europe; how did she reconcile her isolation? How
does Raimonds representation of her position the reader? (pg 25, 31, 32, 33) What techniques
highlight her desperate alienation?

12. Acceptance can be fundamental to belonging. How does the juxtaposition of Romulus response to
two differing episodes highlight his misunderstanding and therefore, his difference to the locals
around him? (pg 28, 29)


Chapter 4

13. Horas relationship with Romulus illustrates a deep sense of belonging. How is Horas respect for
Romulus contrasted with his disrespect for Christine to show that belonged in Horas world? (pg 44
47)

14. What does Pass auf mein lieber Fritz (Watch out my dear Fritz) illustrate about the connection
between Hora and Raimond? (pg 47)

15. Like most Europeans. this phrase sets Romulus apart from the authors perspective. How does
Raimond view himself as different? (pg 48)

16. The significance of the relationship between father and son is strongly illustrated by the spartan
description of life at Frogmore. How does the richness of the language contrast with this description
and what is its impact on you as a reader? (pg 53 - 54)

Chapter 5

17. How does the changing perspective of Raimond show his separation and lack of belonging
compared to the attitudes of his father? (pg 60 62)

18. What does the quote Be careful what you do. If you were to do anything bad.the disappointment
would kill your father, illustrate about the implications of belonging to a close relationship?

19. What are some other implications of belonging to a relationship that are explored on page 69?

Chapter 6

20. This chapter focuses on the dysfunctional relationship between Raimonds mother and Mitru. What
were the implications for Mitru of taking someone that did not belong to him?

21. How does the contrasting imagery on pg 91 2 represent the complexity of belonging or
ownership in these two characters relationship?

Chapter 7

22. What is the effect of work used as a metaphor for Romulus character and how does it relate to the
concept of belonging? (pg 98 99)

23. Explain what might be meant by ...he belonged to a long tradition of European thought which
celebrated a community of equals What did this mean for Romulus in his Baringhup? (pg 100)

24. How is tolerance related to the concept of belonging?

25. Gaitas philosophical reflection on personality and character highlight attributes that are valued in
relation to belonging to a society. How is this reflected in the characters in the memoir? Why are
these two words emphasised in italics? (pg 102 -104)

Chapter 8

26. On pages 112 114 Gaita is retrospective about the impact of his mothers death. How does the
benefit of hindsight further his understand his mother? What aspects illustrate his disconnection
from her?
Chapter 9

27. The metaphor of the Prayer for the Dead exemplifies the moral world that Romulus belonged to.
How is this metaphor exemplary of his life so far? (pg 121 -122)

28. Connection to a place/landscape helps to explain who we are. How is this statement true for
Raimond and his father? (pg 123 - 124)

29. How is Romulus insanity a representation of his shattered cultural identity? (pg 126 -127)

30. The end of this chapter identifies significant moments for Raimond. What language technique is
used to emphasise this and what is its effect?

Chapter 10

31. Despite the difficulties in the relationship, what kept the bond between Horas and Romulus
relationship and what does this tell you about the concept of belonging? (pg 148)

32. How does Hora demonstrate through the dialogue with Raimond that he will always belong to his
context? (pg 158 -159)

Chapter 11

33. What values belonged to the world of Romulus? (pg 165 167)

34. What is Romulus perspective on the past? (pg 171)

35. What qualities of Romulus character helped him to be accepted as part of the community of
Maryborough? (pg 174)

36. Despite their differences explain the deep sense of belonging to each other between father and
son? (pg 176)
Chapter 12

37. In this chapter we see the intermingling of two different cultures. How did the hippies try to be part
of Romulus world? (pg182)

38. How can political ideas such as multiculturalism, shape a concept of belonging? What realities
does the text show? (pg 183)

39. How do pages 192 -193 illustrate that blood/family bonds run deep?

40. Belonging involves communication and understanding. How does Romulus morality alienate him
from others? (pg 197)

Chapter 13

41. Raimonds eulogy at his fathers funeral best sums up a man that had a sense of common
humanity. What does this reveal about belonging? (pg 207)

42. What is Neil Mikkelsen symbolic of? (pg 208)