the divine wind
Insight Text Guide
Sue Sciortino
The Divine
Wind
Garry Disher
ITG_DivineWind-Prelims-2pp.indd 1
13/04/12 10:18 AM
contents
Character map
Overview
iv
1
About the author
1
Synopsis
1
Character summaries
2
Background & context
5
Genre, style & structure
Chapter-by-chapter analysis
13
Characters & relationships
42
Themes & issues
50
Different interpretations
62
Questions & answers
66
Sample answer
74
References & reading
ITG_DivineWind-Prelims-2pp.indd 3
10
76
13/04/12 10:18 AM
iv
In s i g h t T e x t G u i d e
CHARACTER MAP
Ida Penrose
Dissatisfied with
Australian life, she returns to England and is killed in
World War II.
Michael Penrose
Sea captain who deeply feels the loss of Ida’s love. Consumed with guilt about Zeke’s death.
Suffers a stroke and becomes a broken man.
Tense marriage to
Parents of
Parents of
Works for
Envious of
Rival to
Jamie Kilian
Friend of Hart yet rejected because of sexual jealousy.
Provides a contrast to Hart’s personality.
Doesn’t have the strength to stand up to his father.
Hartley Penrose –
Narrator
Torn between growing racial unrest during the war and his love for Mitsy. Protective towards Alice and saves Jamie even though threatened by him. Shares similar values to his father, e.g. disgusted by the way
Aboriginal people are treated. Alice Penrose
Likeable character – generous & tolerant.
Changes after being captured by
Japanese army.
Sister to
Best friend to
Has
relationship with In love with
Feels guilt towards
Son of
Mitsy Sennosuke
Main female character. Struggles against prejudice towards Japanese citizens. Distrusts
In love with
Mr Kilian
Local magistrate who is represented as an authority figure. Has racist attitudes to
Aborigines.
Racist towards
ITG_DivineWind-Prelims-2pp.indd 4
Derby Boxer
Sue Sciortino
The Divine
Wind
Garry Disher
ITG_DivineWind-Prelims-2pp.indd 1
13/04/12 10:18 AM
contents
Character map
Overview
iv
1
About the author
1
Synopsis
1
Character summaries
2
Background & context
5
Genre, style & structure
Chapter-by-chapter analysis
13
Characters & relationships
42
Themes & issues
50
Different interpretations
62
Questions & answers
66
Sample answer
74
References & reading
ITG_DivineWind-Prelims-2pp.indd 3
10
76
13/04/12 10:18 AM
iv
In s i g h t T e x t G u i d e
CHARACTER MAP
Ida Penrose
Dissatisfied with
Australian life, she returns to England and is killed in
World War II.
Michael Penrose
Sea captain who deeply feels the loss of Ida’s love. Consumed with guilt about Zeke’s death.
Suffers a stroke and becomes a broken man.
Tense marriage to
Parents of
Parents of
Works for
Envious of
Rival to
Jamie Kilian
Friend of Hart yet rejected because of sexual jealousy.
Provides a contrast to Hart’s personality.
Doesn’t have the strength to stand up to his father.
Hartley Penrose –
Narrator
Torn between growing racial unrest during the war and his love for Mitsy. Protective towards Alice and saves Jamie even though threatened by him. Shares similar values to his father, e.g. disgusted by the way
Aboriginal people are treated. Alice Penrose
Likeable character – generous & tolerant.
Changes after being captured by
Japanese army.
Sister to
Best friend to
Has
relationship with In love with
Feels guilt towards
Son of
Mitsy Sennosuke
Main female character. Struggles against prejudice towards Japanese citizens. Distrusts
In love with
Mr Kilian
Local magistrate who is represented as an authority figure. Has racist attitudes to
Aborigines.
Racist towards
ITG_DivineWind-Prelims-2pp.indd 4
Derby Boxer