Week 1: Boats

     I think that boats within the first part are an image within themself. While they seem insignificant, boats present opportunity. specifically the chance to escape or move. Thornhill's entire livelihood consists of transporting people on boats to someplace they needed to be. To me, this is almost an analogy for the boat the Thornhill takes to Australia. What seems like a punishment is really an opportunity. It could be a way for Thornhill to escape London's strict class system and the poverty his family suffers from. Water is traditionally used as a symbol of freedom in literature because it allows for one to escape or find lands beyond their current one. Considering this, I don't think it is a stretch to see the boats as a means of accessing that freedom. It makes me think that Thornhill will find more success in Australia than he did in London. 

    A more specific example of boats representing freedom comes from Thornhill's failed heist attempt. After trying to steal from Mr. Lucas's ship, Thornhill's method of escape is a boat. (It even works- he escapes onto shore, only to be caught later.) Even when Thornhill is being taught how to be a riverman by Sal's father, he is using boats to make money, so he can escape the poverty he was trapped in. Boats have a noticeable connection to escaping poverty within the first part of the novel. The image stood out to me for that reason. I guess I will have to see if the boat to Australia is really an opportunity for Thornhill.

Comments

  1. CassiJanuary 15, 2023 at 11:08 AM

    Hey Jalen! I really like your interpretation of the boats here. Since they were just a large concept and image, I didn't really think twice about them as I was reading. I like your thoughts about freedom. I think this could even extend further into the Tuesday's section, thinking about how when he purchases the Queen/Hope, it gives them freedom to try to get their own land/work up the funds to return back to London.

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  2. Audrey SchroederJanuary 15, 2023 at 6:23 PM

    Hey Jalen, I really like your analysis of the presence of boats and their meaning in the book so far. I hadn't really considered it that way before. However, I think it's also interesting to consider how, based on the tone of the introduction, Thornhill does not seem excited for the opportunities New South Wales holds. It's interesting to me to consider how this tonal difference regarding boats and opportunities varies throughout the book.

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  3. Griffin JonesJanuary 16, 2023 at 1:30 PM

    Hey Jalen, I really like your connection with water and freedom. Water is clearly important in "The Secret River" especially given the title of the book. Thornhill clearly associates the River Thames with freedom and opportunity. Like you stated, it represents the ability to move around, meet new people, and generally move up in life. However, I'm not sure that the New South Wales will be a blessing in disguise. Based on the Strangers chapter, we get a sense that he feels naked and alone there with no hope of ever moving up in life, not to mention the aboriginal people don't want him there either.

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  4. Paulos HabtewoldJanuary 16, 2023 at 9:09 PM

    Hi Jalen, I never really thought of boats in that context before in the story. While boats did represent an opportunity to escape poverty it seems like the opportunities always seem to end up in failure. In the example of his heist attempt from Mr. Lucas, he used a boat to escape, but he still ended up being captured. Also, while being a waterman was his opportunity to escape from his poverty, but that also ended up failing, as he had to resort to stealing once again. I wonder what this pattern will entail for his journey to New South Wales as it is an opportunity, but that does not necessarily mean it will be a good one.

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  5. Gema Sanchez GamezJanuary 16, 2023 at 11:57 PM

    Hi Jalen! I think your interpretation of boats as vessels to freedom is super interesting! Although in the intro it seems that having to cross the ocean and go to a new place like New South Wales is actually a trap, it actually gives William an incredible freedom against 18th century London society.

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  6. Critical Thinkers and WritersJanuary 17, 2023 at 4:27 PM

    I love your focus on boats and what they promise: hope or lack of it?

    ReplyDelete

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