Fly Away Peter Character Jim Essay Research

Fly Away Peter- Character Jim Essay, Research Paper

We understand the themes of a novel through the growth of a central character. Discuss with detailed reference to Fly Away Peter.

The question of human identity and our role within the universe has always been a source of great debate and much contemplation. The quest to discover the essence of our humanity is one of central concern in the novel Fly Away Peter by David Malouf. Through the central character s voyage of realisation, we are confronted with a deeply philosophical approach to the meaning of life and death. Whilst on the surface appearing very simplistic and straightforward, multiple themes are intertwined in the framework of the narrative. Jim Sadler s journey of self discovery provides a vehicle for the author to deliver his powerful messages portraying the transient nature of our existence. Specifically this is demonstrated through Jim s experiences in relation to the insignificance of individual life, the inevitability of death and the unstoppable movement of time. Fly Away Peter also explores the gender stereotype of the soldier and the influences of our experiences upon our sense of self, as Jim s military service essentially develops his inner consciousness.

In the opening section of the novel we are acquainted with the naive and innocent Jim Sadler, a stereotypical working class Australian youth at the beginning of the twentieth century. Through his acceptance of the wealthy land owner, Ashley Crowther s, offer of a job observing birds on his property, Jim is presented with security and a sanctuary in which he feels comfortable and safe. For Ashley, what is a seemingly trivial offer is a significant turning point in Jims life, providing Jim with, for the first time, direction and purpose. This is demonstrated in

Jim, who till then had been merely drifting, and might have drifted as far as the city and become a mill-hand or a tram conductor, saw immediately the scope of it and felt his whole life change. (Page 4)

All the possibilities that for the past two years had tugged and nagged at him- city, marriage, drink the sullenness and hard-jawed resentment of moths that were all Sundays- Suddenly hauled off and lifted. He was made free of his own life. (Page 5)

Jim s passionate interest in birds provides his life with a clear focus point, giving him a perhaps unreal feeling of control over his destiny. The birds are symbolic of the harmonious balance of nature and assist in the establishment of a serene, verging on surreal atmosphere. This is shown in

but back, far back, into some pre-classical, pre-historic, primeval and haunted world.. in which the birds pointed out, and might almost have been calling up as he named them in a whisper out of the mists before creation, were extravagantly disguised spirits of another order of existence (Page 30)

However, even in this seemingly perfect and harmonious existence, dark undertones are present in Jim s relationship with his father. It is through this family connection that Jim first questions his position in the world.

What does it mean, Jim had wanted to ask, the likes of us. Except for the accidental link of blood he saw nothing in common between his father and himself and resented the cowardly acceptance of defeat that made his father feel this change in his fortunes as a personal affront. (Page 5)

Jim s father s dull savagery is representative of a side of humanity that Jim is extremely fearful of, not because he feared to be its victim in the physical sense- but because he didn t want to be infected. (Page 6) This can be taken to be Jim s first exposure to the dark side of humanity. It also demonstrates that even in what can be seen as an almost paradise like existence, the presence of the primitive instinct of fear always remains in the background.

The declaration of war whilst Jim is in Brisbane plays a significant role in Jim s development. Whilst the atmosphere is still one of predominantly innocence, a strong sense of predestinate fate surrounding the war can be felt.

Jim felt the ground tilting to the place where the war was, and felt the drag of all those deaths. The time would come when he wouldn t be able any longer to resist. He would slide with the rest. Down into the pit. (Page 55)

It is in this period of time that Jim s aura of naivety begins to fade. The realisation that whilst innocence may hold a certain romantic charm, essentially you discover your identity through experiences, is apparent in Jim. This need to experience something on a personal level emphasises the curious nature of humankind and is a deciding factor in Jim s enlistment as a soldier, clearly evident in the phrase

If he didn t go, he would never understand, when it was over, why his life and everything he had known were so changed, and nobody would be able to tell him. He would spend his whole life wondering what had happened to him and looking into the eyes of others to find out. (Page 55)

This highlights that Jim s decision to join the army in influenced more by the overwhelming and all consuming reality of the war that Jim feels he must confront, than because of any patriotic feelings or inner convictions.

Jim is also influenced by the expectations of masculinity that are entrenched in being a soldier. The changes in Jim after his visit t