103 The Character Of Mr Neal example essay topic

Stereotypes in Jack Davis-No Sugar. The characters in Jack Davis' play 'No Sugar' are characters that fit colonial stereotypes (both Aboriginals and Whites) although they seem to be exaggerated. Contrasting characters reveal Ideological ideas and attitudes through things like language, often through conflict. 40 The characters of White Australian descent tend to speak with pompous language, disguising their evil deeds behind kind phrases. The most obvious example of this is the character Mr. Neville. He states, with refined language, in (Act One Scene Two), that: ... ' if you provide the native the basic accoutrements of civilization, you " re halfway to civilizing him.

' This reveals a belief that Whites are unquestionably superior and that any previous Aboriginal civilization was irrelevant. The pompous statement of the Whites are junta-posed against the more crude and blunt comments of Aboriginal characters. to show the audience the belief that whites are superior. 103 The character of Mr. Neal seems like a cruel evil man which is the way the Aboriginals would probably have viewed Whites (he is a stereotype) Neal believes blacks are worthless, he lives by the words of J. Ernest Regan, that: 'a little knowledge is a dangerous thing' (Act Four Scene Four), instead of trying to better Aboriginals and help them he is trying to suppress them and keep them ignorant so they will not turn into a threat to him or Whites in general. His wife Matron seems like a kind caring person, like a mother figure which is how the audience expects a Matron to be. Their conflicting beliefs (Matron promotes the idea of improving aboriginals, Mr Neal promotes ignorance and suppression) causes conflict Neal 'I can't see anything funny about this' Matron 'I know you can't' (Act two Scene Ten). 143 Mr. Neal's beliefs also conflict with the beliefs of Sister Eileen".

What do you mean that you don't encourage natives to read?' Mr. Neal "That's right' (Act four Scene four). She also disagrees on the methods he uses 'the use of violence by your native policemen... I'd prefer they came on their own free will' (Act four Scene four) Sister Eileen believes in improving the natives which is completely opposite to the belief held by Mr. Neal that natives should remain ignorant. Mr. Neal resents Sister Eileen's input 'bloody do-good ers' and threatens her when she speaks out 'I could arrange a transfer for you to another settlement; perhaps Mulla Bulla on the edge of the Gibson Desert". He is using his power to bend people to his will, the same way he uses his power to force young girls into sleeping with him. His cruel nature reveals the attitude that some Whites had that it was acceptable to use power or influence to control other people who he considers inferior e.g. aboriginals and females.

175 Matron is aware of the deeds of Mr. Neal e.g. : the story of how Mr. Neal used to have sex with aboriginal girls and then send the babies into the fields to be killed, and she hints to him that she knows what he's doing MATRON 'As matron in charge of the hospital, I thought it was my job to allocate nursing aides' NEAL 'I was only trying to help you' MATRON 'Or Yourself' (Act two Scene nine) but she seems to be unable to really prevent it showing the power lies with the male which was a general belief of that time (male dominance) 105 The character Jimmy is a stereotype, drunken, aggressive, outspoken with a disregard for the law, '... Native Protector, couldn't protect my dog from fleas' because of this there is repeated conflict involving him. Through his disruptive and aggressive behavior he reveals views held by aboriginals such as the injustice of the treatment of Aboriginals by Whites. When he is set up with the character of Mr. Neville (Act One Scene Seven) there is conflict JIMMY 'Minding' me own bloody business' NEVILLE 'let me give you a piece of advise: sugar catches more flies than vinegar' The conflict is caused because of the lack of sympathy or tolerance Mr. Neville shows for Jimmy. Jimmy is rebelling against this treatment by being disruptive and annoying. 121 The character of Gran may represent Aboriginality through her character traits.

She is proud, 'Isn't that the neatest belly button you seen?' and 'I brought him into the world with me own two hands". (Act Two Scene Four), determined and stubborn. Her spirit has not been broken despite White attempts to do so. For this reason when she is junta-posed against white characters, even those of authority she seems to get some respect from them Matron 'You did a very good job granny' at the end of the play when Gran sings her song of mourning it's as if she is mourning the loss of Aboriginality which has been caused by the Whites. 114 Billy Kimberly is an example of the inner conflict many aboriginals probably felt. He seems like he is eager to please everyone and doesn't quite know where he fits in (with aboriginals or whites).

He works for the whites against the aboriginals, because of this he is labeled as a black crow or traitor (act two scene four). he does however help Joe and Mary escape by telling Mr. Neville they went a different way on the train than they actually did (Act two Scene ten) he is experiencing inner conflict because he does not seem to have a strong character and cannot make up his mind about who he should be protecting. At the end of the play when Joe and Mary are taking off he offers them his whip so they will be able to get food when they leave. His kindness is interrupted by Mr. Neal calling him and he rushes off saying 'coming boss' (act four Scene ten) this shows the control Whites have over Aboriginals which is a main idea in the play. 177 At the Australia day play NEVILLE 'Will you be quite? Who is it, who is that fellow? Munday isn't it, Northam.

I've got police reports on you. You " re a trouble maker and a ringleader. You must listen to me. ' JIMMY 'No you listen to me Mr. A. O You come an' eat supper with us, right, tonight. Bread and dripping' and black tea. Are you game to try it?' Jimmy is a strong character who is intelligent and strong minded and because of this he is able to get the opinions of all the aboriginal people heard by the whites who are important.

He is showing them how the aboriginals feel about White injustice and how much inequality there is. He is almost daring Mr. Neville to try there food and have to put up what they do. 135 the stereotypical characters in this play reveal ideas such as male superiority through contrasting attitudes, which are often revealed during conflict MATRON 'As matron in charge of the hospital, I thought it was my job to allocate nursing aides' NEAL 'I was only trying to help you' MATRON 'Or Yourself' (Act two Scene nine) the inner conflict faced by aboriginals because of white attitudes is revealed through the character of Billy who doesn't fit in with either the aboriginals or whites. Characters hold conflicting ideas such as Sister Eileen.

And Mr. Neal 'What do you mean that you don't encourage natives to read?' Mr. Neal "That's right' (Act four Scene four). These contrasting characters all reveal attitudes and ideological ideas in the play.