The secret river character analysis By: Ibraahim, Rayan & Ammar. (most information provided from www.gradesaver.com) smasher Sullivan, Thomas blackwood, Mr. Middleton

Thomas Blackwood “Ain't nothing in this world just for the taking ... A man got to pay a fair price for taking. Matter of give a little, take a little.” Thomas Blackwood p.108 This quotation from Thomas Blackwood portrays the difficult choices that William faces as he tries to ensure that he would be able to live for a long period of time and the accomplishment of Thornhill's Point. Blackwood refuses to explain on his advice, leaving William to try and figure out just how much to give and how much to take. Unable to understand the Aboriginal languages and blinded by racial discrimination, the British colonists believe that the Aborigines are savages who can be bought off with valuables. When the clan of Aborigines sets up camp at Thornhill Point, William gives them their own space. The clan and the Thornhills live side by side. However, William knows that he will have to draw the line at some point and expel the Aborigines if he will ever be able consider the land his own. William struggles with the moral tough choices of taking Blackwood's advice and learning to live with the Aborigines or following the popular tact of running them off the land, therefore providing him with the wealth and security that he craves for.

Smasher Sullivan “(look what have I done)…black against the white of the bone.” p.107 One of the settlers along the Hawkesbury. Smasher Sullivan is a mean-spirited man with hatred for the Aborigines. He believes them to be little more than savages and frequently kills them when they approach his land. He kidnaps Aboriginal women and keeps them as sex slaves. Sullivan and Blackwood often argue, as Blackwood refuses to accept Sullivan's vicious treatment of the Aborigines. When Saggity is killed after a raid on his farm by Aborigines, Sullivan convinces the other settlers that the Aborigines must all be killed. Whisker Harry spears Sullivan during the attack on the Aborigines

Scabby Bill An Aborigine who lives in the Sydney settlement. Scabby Bill has left his traditional culture and begs for scraps of food and rum (alcohol) in the settlement. The settlers make fun of him and make him dance for a drink of rum. Scabby Bill frequently begs outside William and Sal's hut, and Sal gives him food and drink in return to make him leave. Scabby Bill's drunkenness and refusal to wear clothes reinforces the settlers' view of the Aborigines as savages. He symbolizes the negative impact of colonialism (expansion) on the Aborigines.

Long Jack/Bob A member of the Aboriginal clan that settled temporarily at Thornhill's Point. Long Jack teaches Dick Thornhill how to make a fire using two sticks and how to throw a spear. in the battle between the settlers and the Aborigines, Long Jack takes a bullet to the side of the head, yet he survives the shot and returns regularly to Thornhill's point to claim the land as his own (LIKE A BOSS!). His odd silence and reproachful presence criticizes William's sense of ownership.

Whisker Harry The eldest of the Aboriginal clan and the leader, that settles temporarily at Thornhill's Point with the clan. Whisker Harry is a wise old man who had several run-ins with William over his claim to their land. During the battle between the settlers and the aborigines, Whisker Harry throws the spear that kills Smasher Sullivan, and William Thornhill shoots him, and he dies.

Dan Oldfield An old friend of William. Dan was a member of William's gang of young thieves in Southwark. Coincidentally, they meet again in New South Wales when William goes to the dock to pick up two recently arrived convicts to help on his land. Dan is one of the two convicts assigned to William. Although Dan is initially happy to see William, he soon learns that childhood friendship cannot overcome the injustice of their positions. As Ned's master, William experiences his first taste of power over another man - a power he once teased under himself. William's decision to use that power to keep Dan in his place marks a shift in William's character - from underling to master.

Saggity Birtles A settler on the Hawkesbury(Thornhill’s neighbor). Saggity Birtles is a nasty friend of Smasher Sullivan. He shares Sullivan's perspective of the Aborigines and participates in the sexual abuse of Aboriginal women(tsk tsk tsk). After the raid on his farm, William finds Saggity with a spear through his stomach. It is Saggity's death that leads to the battle with the Aborigines.

Mrs. Herring One of the settlers on the Hawkesbury. Mrs. Herring is a widow who manages to keep her piece of land by herself. She serves as midwife and nurse to the other settlers. Mrs. Herring does not accept the way Sullivan and Saggity treat the Aborigines. She (sort of) understands Blackwood's concept of "give a little, take a little" and manages to live in relative harmony with the Aborigines. After the bloody massacre of the local Aborigines, she becomes a nun.

Mr. Lucas William's employer in London. William works as a lighter man for Mr. Lucas until he is caught trying to steal Brazilian wood. Mr. Lucas has political passion, so he does not turn a blind eye to the occasional theft by his lighter man. William suspects that Mr. Lucas set a trap for him with the Brazilian wood. Mr. Lucas' evidence against William in court contributes to the original sentence of death by hanging.