Themes which are dealt with in chapter six are; aboriginal identity, malefemale relationships, and the psychological impact of gaol. These themes are shown through language features; such as; diologue, colloquial language, lyrics, and imagery.
Firstly, the theme of identity is important because it helps the reader understand the attitudes and appearance of the characters .In this chapter, there are two settings. The first one is at the milk-bar while the second is in the narrator's bedroom. The milk-bar is known as a 'bodgie' hangout place. The narrator feels that he is back to a place where …show more content…
Identity is also shown through language. In chapter six there are language features such as colloquial language, jargon and dialogue. Colloquial language and jargon is mainly used through dialogue which is an example of the way bodgie's talk to each other. "I'm drunk, doll" (page 56), "...prison dough" (page 57), "...breasts jut under her jumper..." (Page 59).
Secondly, the narrator reveals his attitudes toward male/female relationships. This is shown towards the last few pages in the chapter where he describes his relationship with Denise. The narrator first met Denise at a dance where he paid her to have sex the first time but never after that.
The narrator describes Denise as "...dig eyes glow, lips nature-red are parted.... slightly stained teeth. Dark hair is alive...she still attracts me..." (Page 56). This is evident that Denise was more than just a "flick" which he paid to sleep with; she was someone he had feelings for but was afraid to express …show more content…
"I pull of her clothes and take her violently, like it was rape. Hate her. Hate her. Love her. It is finished." (Page 59).
Furthermore, the last theme which is included in chapter six is the psychological impact of gaol. In the first scene, at the milk-bar, the narrator is happy when he meets his bodgie gang again for the first time after gaol.
"I drift away to a vacant table, order sandwiches and cigarettes and whisper for a cup of wine." (Page 56). This narrator is used to being in a gaol cell all alone especially when he was moved to solitary confinement. This has impacted on his social and psychological skills because he doesn't know how to express himself anymore when around people.
This issue of isolation is also expressed in the same chapter but in a different incident. "...I want to be alone..." (Page 59). This shows that gaol has made the narrator want to be alone and deal with his feelings by drinking rather than find hope or meaning in his life.
Throughout the chapter there are no flashbacks. This point is important because it highlights that the narrator does not feel a connection with his childhood