By Braden, Britney, David and Caroline Secret River-Pg. 275 By Braden, Britney, David and Caroline

Summary Will visits Darkey creek sees dead Aboriginals, victims of poison Aboriginals steal their corn “ Thornhill retaliates Sagitty dies Sal says she will not stay because its too dangerous Will has to decide to stay with her and leave or stay in Australia Smasher proposes Killing the indigenous people at Blackwood’s using Will’s ship He agrees and All the Aboriginals die

Characters Sal-strong willed and does not want to stay in Australia, scared “We got to go Will” (Pg 288) Will Thornhill-Scared of natives, wants to stay, sitting on the fence Thomas Blackwood-strong strong willed, Smasher Sullivan-short tempered, hates Aboriginals, Dick Thornhill-likes the Aboriginals

Symbols/Motif The Secret River-A symbol of how the British colonialists dealt with the Aboriginals The massacres How the British thought they could just take the land Bird Motif-’Only birds, rising, circling, dropping down below the trees (Pg 275) The birds a recurring motif of watching throughout the controversial events of the novel as they circle the poison Aboriginals at the start of the chapter