Figuratively, there are two Arthur Dunns in the book. The first, childhood Arthur, is the central protagonist for half of the book, eventually grows into adult Arthur, who is largely a background character in the other half of the novel, which is told through the eyes of Ian Christopherson.

Arthur is repeatedly described as a large, powerful, simple, and quite man. He is portrayed as the quintessential stoic, hardworking farmer. Arthur suffers his fate in silence, setting up one of the essential contrasts of the novel—namely, the difference in dealing with consequences: Arthur’s acceptance of them, and Jake’s denial of them. Lawson’s characterization of Arthur makes him a potent symbol of fatalism, both the positive and negative consequences thereof.

At the same time, Arthur suffers because of his unwillingness to assert himself, particularly in any way that might upset his mother. From the opening, when Jake throws a knife into his foot, to over a decade later, when Jake seduces Laura, Arthur is made to suffer because he is unwilling to stop Jake. Despite being capable physically, he is incapable emotionally. This never changes until the end of the novel, when, in a moment of tragic

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now