THE DIVINE WIND

In what different ways was racial prejudice at work in the story? Compare these instances with your own beliefs, ideas and experiences of racial prejudice.

In the story of The Divine Wind, Garry Disher explores the complexities of racial prejudice, which was one of the main themes of the novel. Prejudice is ‘a pre-conceived opinion’; which is simply discrimination, and judging people before knowing them. Racial prejudice is judging people on their race, (eg. The Aboriginals). During the time in which this novel was set, Broome had such a diverse, and multicultural community, hence the range of attitudes. Many of those who were brought up in the town were more accepting then the new comers. But, many were really racist, and denied non-white Australians many rights, including the right to equality; respect; justice and freedom.

The most obvious way Disher portrays racial prejudice was the way that the white society forced others into isolation from the general public. Non-white...