1. Fag Throughout the first half of the novel we, as readers, like Fag and her world view more and more. We often sympathise with the injustice she constantly faces and fervently wish that her dreams would come true; and some of them do. Throughout the first half of the novel we, as readers, like Fag and her world view more and more. We often sympathise with the injustice she constantly faces and fervently wish that her dreams would come true; and some of them do. The tragedy of Fag’s life is that she wants desperately to be self reliant; to make her own way in the world. Unfortunately this was not the option for working class women in 1940s New Zealand. The only way that Fag can achieve her dream of being economically comfortable is by marrying money. The tragedy of Fag’s life is that she wants desperately to be self reliant; to make her own way in the world. Unfortunately this was not the option for working class women in 1940s New Zealand. The only way that Fag can achieve her dream of being economically comfortable is by marrying money. Throughout the first half of the novel we, as readers, like Fag and her world view more and more. We often sympathise with the injustice she constantly faces and fervently wish that her dreams would come true; and some of them do. Throughout the first half of the novel we, as readers, like Fag and her world view more and more. We often sympathise with the injustice she constantly faces and fervently wish that her dreams would come true; and some of them do. The tragedy of Fag’s life is that she wants desperately to be self reliant; to make her own way in the world. Unfortunately this was not the option for working class women in 1940s New Zealand. The only way that Fag can achieve her dream of being economically comfortable is by marrying money. The tragedy of Fag’s life is that she wants desperately to be self reliant; to make her own way in the world. Unfortunately this was not the option for working class women in 1940s New Zealand. The only way that Fag can achieve her dream of being economically comfortable is by marrying money.

2. Our view of Fag does change somewhat in the second half of the novel. She becomes materialistic and snobbish as a defense against Roddie’s family. In fact, Fag becomes what her mother had always detested: a landlord. This is her way of distancing herself from who and what she perceives Margaret to be. Our view of Fag does change somewhat in the second half of the novel. She becomes materialistic and snobbish as a defense against Roddie’s family. In fact, Fag becomes what her mother had always detested: a landlord. This is her way of distancing herself from who and what she perceives Margaret to be. As a mother, Fag does tell us that she loves her child but we keep seeing her being more interested in appearances than substantiating this claim. It is this self absorbed attitude that makes Fag almost unlikable by the end of the novel. As a mother, Fag does tell us that she loves her child but we keep seeing her being more interested in appearances than substantiating this claim. It is this self absorbed attitude that makes Fag almost unlikable by the end of the novel. Our view of Fag does change somewhat in the second half of the novel. She becomes materialistic and snobbish as a defense against Roddie’s family. In fact, Fag becomes what her mother had always detested: a landlord. This is her way of distancing herself from who and what she perceives Margaret to be. Our view of Fag does change somewhat in the second half of the novel. She becomes materialistic and snobbish as a defense against Roddie’s family. In fact, Fag becomes what her mother had always detested: a landlord. This is her way of distancing herself from who and what she perceives Margaret to be. As a mother, Fag does tell us that she loves her child but we keep seeing her being more interested in appearances than substantiating this claim. It is this self absorbed attitude that makes Fag almost unlikable by the end of the novel. As a mother, Fag does tell us that she loves her child but we keep seeing her being more interested in appearances than substantiating this claim. It is this self absorbed attitude that makes Fag almost unlikable by the end of the novel.

3. Ginnie Ginnie is the twin who keeps getting the raw deal throughout the novel and yet still remains positive and true to herself. We hear from her less than Fag but it is Ginnie that we prefer as a character, even though she is quite frustrating at times. Ginnie is the twin who keeps getting the raw deal throughout the novel and yet still remains positive and true to herself. We hear from her less than Fag but it is Ginnie that we prefer as a character, even though she is quite frustrating at times. Rather than fight against the system, Ginnie just accepts her lot in life. She has to work at 13 years of age, puts up with Margaret’s abuse, gets paid poorly for her dead end job and ends up pregnant out of wedlock.However, Ginnie’s strength comes from the fact that she accepts all this without complaint and even see the positive side of it all. Rather than fight against the system, Ginnie just accepts her lot in life. She has to work at 13 years of age, puts up with Margaret’s abuse, gets paid poorly for her dead end job and ends up pregnant out of wedlock.However, Ginnie’s strength comes from the fact that she accepts all this without complaint and even see the positive side of it all. Ginnie is the twin who keeps getting the raw deal throughout the novel and yet still remains positive and true to herself. We hear from her less than Fag but it is Ginnie that we prefer as a character, even though she is quite frustrating at times. Ginnie is the twin who keeps getting the raw deal throughout the novel and yet still remains positive and true to herself. We hear from her less than Fag but it is Ginnie that we prefer as a character, even though she is quite frustrating at times. Rather than fight against the system, Ginnie just accepts her lot in life. She has to work at 13 years of age, puts up with Margaret’s abuse, gets paid poorly for her dead end job and ends up pregnant out of wedlock.However, Ginnie’s strength comes from the fact that she accepts all this without complaint and even see the positive side of it all. Rather than fight against the system, Ginnie just accepts her lot in life. She has to work at 13 years of age, puts up with Margaret’s abuse, gets paid poorly for her dead end job and ends up pregnant out of wedlock.However, Ginnie’s strength comes from the fact that she accepts all this without complaint and even see the positive side of it all.

4. Unlike her sister, Ginnie marries for love. It is for this reason that Ginnie stays happy. Even when talking about their sexual relationships, the difference between the two marriages is huge. This may also be why Ginnie is such a good mother to her children. Unlike her sister, Ginnie marries for love. It is for this reason that Ginnie stays happy. Even when talking about their sexual relationships, the difference between the two marriages is huge. This may also be why Ginnie is such a good mother to her children. Ginnie is mostly admirable because of her skills as a mother. While Fag distances herself from Margaret through money, Ginnie does the same thing by treating her family with love and respect. Ginnie is mostly admirable because of her skills as a mother. While Fag distances herself from Margaret through money, Ginnie does the same thing by treating her family with love and respect. Unlike her sister, Ginnie marries for love. It is for this reason that Ginnie stays happy. Even when talking about their sexual relationships, the difference between the two marriages is huge. This may also be why Ginnie is such a good mother to her children. Unlike her sister, Ginnie marries for love. It is for this reason that Ginnie stays happy. Even when talking about their sexual relationships, the difference between the two marriages is huge. This may also be why Ginnie is such a good mother to her children. Ginnie is mostly admirable because of her skills as a mother. While Fag distances herself from Margaret through money, Ginnie does the same thing by treating her family with love and respect. Ginnie is mostly admirable because of her skills as a mother. While Fag distances herself from Margaret through money, Ginnie does the same thing by treating her family with love and respect.

5. Margaret Our feelings towards Margaret change throughout the novel although the predominant attitude is one of dislike and disbelief. It seems almost incomprehensible that a mother could be so cruel and heartless towards their children. In fact, the fairy tale tells us that mothers want the best for their kids; Mragaret uses hers to keep the household running. Our feelings towards Margaret change throughout the novel although the predominant attitude is one of dislike and disbelief. It seems almost incomprehensible that a mother could be so cruel and heartless towards their children. In fact, the fairy tale tells us that mothers want the best for their kids; Mragaret uses hers to keep the household running. Jaz explains that she is the way she is because she has to constantly battle to make ends meet. Margaret is bitter and alone and has to take it out on someone. To this end, she blames everyone: the rich, the Catholics, the Irish, Labour, the Tories, her husband; in fact everyone apart from herself. Jaz explains that she is the way she is because she has to constantly battle to make ends meet. Margaret is bitter and alone and has to take it out on someone. To this end, she blames everyone: the rich, the Catholics, the Irish, Labour, the Tories, her husband; in fact everyone apart from herself. Our feelings towards Margaret change throughout the novel although the predominant attitude is one of dislike and disbelief. It seems almost incomprehensible that a mother could be so cruel and heartless towards their children. In fact, the fairy tale tells us that mothers want the best for their kids; Mragaret uses hers to keep the household running. Our feelings towards Margaret change throughout the novel although the predominant attitude is one of dislike and disbelief. It seems almost incomprehensible that a mother could be so cruel and heartless towards their children. In fact, the fairy tale tells us that mothers want the best for their kids; Mragaret uses hers to keep the household running. Jaz explains that she is the way she is because she has to constantly battle to make ends meet. Margaret is bitter and alone and has to take it out on someone. To this end, she blames everyone: the rich, the Catholics, the Irish, Labour, the Tories, her husband; in fact everyone apart from herself. Jaz explains that she is the way she is because she has to constantly battle to make ends meet. Margaret is bitter and alone and has to take it out on someone. To this end, she blames everyone: the rich, the Catholics, the Irish, Labour, the Tories, her husband; in fact everyone apart from herself.

6. Margaret shows us the lot of the abandoned woman in 1930s and 40s New Zealand; reliant on hand outs because there was no other option. Far from being “God’s own country”, New Zealand was a country where poverty was rife and the class system was well and truly set in place. Margaret shows us the lot of the abandoned woman in 1930s and 40s New Zealand; reliant on hand outs because there was no other option. Far from being “God’s own country”, New Zealand was a country where poverty was rife and the class system was well and truly set in place.