Strangers Analysis

When I first read this section, especially without the context of London, I felt lost and with a lot of questions. I think it’s interesting that the novel starts forward in time. I think maybe this is meant as somewhat of a primer for the reader in order for them to read the next section with an understanding of where Thornhill’s life is headed. We see Thornhill feeling unwelcome, and naked in comparison to the man who is literally naked. Although Thronhill does not feel at home in New South Wales, he does find some comfort in his family. This also teaches us that Thronhill is clearly a caring person which again sets us up to understand his character in the next chapter. Although we have yet to read the section in which Tornhill is in New South Wales, I assume that this early section also sets up some of the crucial themes of the novel and prepares us to start comparing his life in London to his life in New South Wales. We see Thornhill goes from being a member of the “working poor” to moving up in the world, and then falling back into a life of poverty but this time without the opportunities to rise up in the world like London offered. I am assuming that there will be a theme of colonialism in this novel, but it is not the story that I have generally heard. Thornhill is not a member of the upper class who goes to a colony to profit off of the land and the people. He doesn’t want to be there, and the native people seem to not want him here. It sets up a premise that is unfamiliar and pulls the reader in. My reason for bringing this up is that I think that this section also serves as a hook for the reader to get them interested in a new perspective and premise.