Semester 2 Yr 11 Literature Exam Secret River Quotes

Thornhill drawing land- Stage directions

“He takes a stick and draws a curving line in the dust for the river and a tidy square representing his 100 acres. Inside the square he draws three dots and then joins them up to make a letter T.” (Act 1 scene 7)

The Dharug deaths- Stage directions

The Dharug … enter one by one… each throwing a handful of dirt over their shoulder as they fall. (Epilogue).

Dickie and the Dharug children - Stage directions

“Dickie bends down and peers into the water … A look passes between Narrabi and Garraway … Garraway splashes water in Dicks face … Dick with his dripping face gives as good as he gets and returns fire… And it’s on. A big water fight.” (Act 1 scene 8)

Sal and the broom - Props and dialogue

“They was here… Like you and me was in London … Even got a broom to keep it clean, Will. Just like I got myself.” (Act 2 scene 16)

Yalamundi’s song

“Nura-Da Nura-Da Nura-Da Nura-Da (country) Nura-Da Nura-Da Nura-Da Nura-Da Nura-Da Guwuwui Guwuwi Nura-Da Nura-Da (calling out to country).” (Prologue).

Thornhill kills Yalamundi - Stage directions

“It went off with a puff of blue smoke … the old mans legs collapsed beneath him… Blood came from his mouth.” (Epilogue)

Smasher Dialogue

“Nobody won’t ever know, I swear. Not even our wives.” (Act 2 scene 18)”

Ngalamulum stage directions and dialogue

“Ngalamulum gives him nothing … This is me… My place.” (Epilogue)

Thornhill dialgoue - moving on Dharug

“They’ve moved on for good now .” (Act 2 scene 19)

Amount of people killed during the massacres

“Research from the Colonial Frontier Masacres Project shows that at least 10,374 Aboriginal and Torres strait islander peoples were killed between 1788 and 1930”

Quote from the Eddie Mabo case

“My family has occupied the land for hundreds of years before Captain Cook was born. They are now trying to say that I cannot own it.”

“For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind we say sorry.”

Quote from the national apology