Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Crow Country, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Prejudice and Discrimination
Heritage and Land
Justice and Restitution
Violence and Integrity
Summary
Analysis
Sadie wakes up to Walter calling her name. He is peering over her anxiously. She sees Lachie still on the ground, bleeding. She tells Walter they must get help, and tells him to take Lachie’s bike to go as quickly as possible. Walter goes off on the bike, leaving Sadie to look after Lachie. Finally, she hears the crows crying, along with engines approaching. She is relieved that Walter and others are back.
In continuing to insist that they must help Lachie, Sadie reveals herself to be dedicated to doing the right thing. She insists on behaving with integrity in this moment of crisis. As such, she acts as an example of how to break violent cycles and foster justice even in situations that are morally complex.
Themes
David stands with Sadie and Walter in the lakebed, watching as Lachie’s parents drive away with Lachie and Ellie, who is accompanying them to the hospital. David tells Walter and Sadie that he is proud of them for getting help after finding Lachie lying there in the dirt. Walter corrects David’s misconceptions. He tells him that he and Sadie broke into Lachie’s house to look for the things Auntie Lily had asked them to find, but Lachie caught them. Lachie then followed them to the stone circle and got hurt when Walter threw a clod of earth at him. Sadie tries to defend Walter, but Walter blames himself.
By confessing to David the truth about his role in Lachie’s injury, Walter chooses to follow Sadie’s example and to act with integrity. Walter, as well as Sadie, could have lied about the events that occurred in Lachie’s house and at the stone circle, and yet Walter chooses to tell the truth, knowing that doing so can have profound consequences for both himself and other people—even people living generations later.
Themes
David asks Walter what he wants to do, and Walter says he has to speak to Amanda and Craig Mortlock. David tells him that the affair might end up with the police. Again, Walter emphasizes that it wasn’t Sadie’s fault, even though she insists she was also involved.
Again, Walter reveals his integrity when he says that he would like to confess the truth to Lachie’s parents, knowing that he may have to face the police as a result. This is especially significant because it’s clear by this point that, as an Aboriginal person, Walter may face unjust and even violent treatment from powerful groups like the police.
Themes
As Walter and David are leaving, Sadie says she must stay behind, and that she knows where to find the “special things” that Auntie Lily asked for. David and Walter leave, and Sadie turns to a crow that has been watching her. “I’m ready now,” she tells it, and she follows the bird as it leads the way.
Sadie has used her time travel to the year 1933 well—as a result, she now knows where Jimmy Raven’s special things are buried, so she can restore them to their rightful owners. In locating these things, she has lived up to the challenge the crows have set her and demonstrated how to use her heritage and connection to the land for good.
Themes
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