Practice Activities

Select a 200 - 300 word passage from one of the earlier pieces on the Nilsam’s and answer the following questions:

Blood and Water:
1. What is being established regarding character/setting/preoccupations and concerns?

In terms of character we are able to establish that both Rachel and Jeera Nilsam are quite organised although their financial state is not very stable. ‘‘They had saved for insurance in case [something] should happen.’’ We also establish that find believing in God and religion ‘’a little weird’’.

The setting of this particular short story first begins in their home, where they along with a midwife attempt to have a home birth. The environment here is described in a much more personal and intimate way, the ‘’fires purred in the stove and the fireplace’’. But after having difficulties with the delivery, the setting changes to a private hospital.

Tim Winton’s preoccupations and concerns are apparent in the text. The motif of displacement and marginalisation are evident when the Nilsam’s are at the hospital. The way in which the ‘’nurses and orderlies crowded round’’ and spoke to them indicates their dislocation in this particular environment. Spiritualism is another perspective motif in the text, Annie, the midwife ‘’believed in God and healing and the goodness of people’s bodies.’’ Jeera’s responsibility and his determination to look after his family is an indication of masculinity within the text. Conversely, throughout this specific text, Rachel’s strength and determination is also very apparent.

2. In what way is the context apparent?

The Western Australian context is apparent in a number of aspects in the text. Winton’s preoccupations of displacement and marginalisation are apparent.

3. Are there significant language/structural techniques apparent?

The language use for Annie’s character contrasts with that of the ‘’nurses and orderlies’’ at the hospital. The different choices of language are apparent, Annie is described as someone who is ‘’gentle’’ and ‘’reassuring’’. Her relationship with Rachel is substantially different to that, that the hospital staff has with Rachel. The way in which they are described is also different, they are objectified and are described as a unit instead of individuals.

4. Does this point in the text signal a change, climax or conclusion in some way?

This point in the text signals a change and is the climax of the short story. It is immediately after Annie suggests that they ‘’better call the doc’’ and they have come to the realisation that something is wrong. 

5. Are there significant images present?

The significant images present are of blood and water. The repetition and exemplification of blood and water, highlights its symbolism to spirituality.  

6. What is the tone or mood of the passage and how is this created?
The mood of the passage changes throughout the text, with the change of settings. This is created through his different characterisations. The initial setting presented had a lighter mood with the description of the music and fireplace. In contrast, to the sense of displacement and marginalisation at the hospital.

Select a 200 - 300 word passage from one of the middle pieces on the Nilsams, use the questions above to analyse the passage and in addition, answer the following questions:

The Strong One:
1. Are there any developments in the information that you found in the first passage?

Rachel decides to university and study social work. Jeera is worried about Rachel leaving and having to look after Sam. In terms of their financial state, they are still destitute and that they are currently on the dole. We also learn that Rachel ‘’had a cheque from [Jeera’s] parents every month since the winter.

2. What differences have occurred between your first and second passages?

Besides Rachel wanting to go to university there are not many differences that have occurred between the first and second passage. Masculinity in Jeera's character is weakened as we see his anxiety of having to look after Sam.

3. Taken together, what do the passages say about the development of this family's story as a whole?

Taken as a whole, the passages say that the Nilsam family often encounter predicaments, whether it be financially or just their lifestyle and changes.

Repeat each of the nine questions above using a passage towards the end of the collection, about the Nilsam’s.
Gravity:

1.What is being established regarding character/setting/preoccupations and concerns?

In regards to character its is established that Jeera has not fully gotten over his father's death. He questions ''how a party [could] count for anything on the anniversary of [one's] father's death?'' and ''how the hell could anything matter?''. It is also established that Rachel is quite reliant on Jeera, and questions ''where [he was]''.

The initial setting of this short story is at a cafe with Jeera and Sam. The setting then changes to the Nilsam's home, where they host a party for a friend.

Winton's preoccupations and concerns are most apparent in Jeera. The way he is described and his lingering at the cafe indicate the sense of displacement and masculinity. The fact that Rachel expects him to host a party with her on his father's death anniversary highlights the motif of masculinty. The preoccupation of children and their roles is also seen in this particular passage. Sam acts as a source of distraction and also comfort for Jeera. Sam accompanies Jeera to the cafe and stays there with him, he is also tells Jeera to go back to the party.

2. In what way is the context apparent? The context is apparent in this passage through Jeera’s character. A strong sense of isolation and displacement is seen in this passage. The fact that Jeera is the only one who is still griefing his father's death highlights the idea of isolation.

3. Are there significant language/structural techniques apparent?

The descriptions of the landscape indicate that Jeera is preoccupi
The connotations of seriousness and heaviness can be drawn from the title of the short story, the specific naming of the title gives the audience a sense of Jeera's emotional state.

4. Does this point in the text signal a change, climax or conclusion in some way?

This point of the text singals a change in setting, it is when Jeera and Sam are about to go home, to the party.

5. Are there significant images present?

The significant images present in the passage are of sadness and are solemn. There is a great focus on the environment and surroundings in this particular passage, although the imagery of the environment is coloured by Jeera's emotions.

6. What is the tone or mood of the passage and how is this created?

The tone of the passage changes depending on the characters and also relationships. The way in which Jeera talks to Sam is much different than the way he talks to Rachel, Ann and Philip. This is done so, through characterisation and specific wording. Jeera seems much more relaxed with Sam and indicates the preoccupation of masculinity and children.
 

7. Are there any developments in the information that you found in the first passage?

The developments in the information I have found in this passage is that it is the death anniversary of Jeera’s father, and Jeera and Rachel host a birthday party for one of their friends. We learn that Jeera hasn’t fully come to terms with his loss and that ‘’he [is] sad’’.

8. What differences have occurred between your first and third passages?

There a definite differences that have occurred between the first and third passages. In terms of financial status, the Nilsam’s seem to be doing better than they were in the first passage.

9. Taken together, what do the passages say about the development of this family's story as a whole?

Taken together, we are able to derive that the family often experiences changes and that their relationships change depending on certain situations.