Joan Makes History by Kate Grenville - Gender, Class and Racial Issues

The book Joan Makes History by Kate Grenville uses many techniques throughout to convey meaning and a clearer understanding about issues such a gender, race and class. Symbolism is employed to draw the reader into the events that circulate around the main character and absorb the reader, giving a deeper understanding of these three social issues that are featured in the novel.


The issue of gender in Joan's society is perhaps the most prominent issue being explored by Grenville through the character Joan. The use of symbolism enhances the meaning and helps expose the various aspects of gender roles in Joan's society.

"...father and daughter had the look of prisoner and warder..."
Page 105

This passage implies the dominance of men over women. The term 'prisoner' signifies how the daughter could not escape from her father, and the term 'warder' conveys how he would not release her except to give her to another 'warder' - in this case, her husband. This was most often the relat...