Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in No Sugar, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Racism, Discrimination, and Colonial Violence
Government, Civilization, and Religion
White Australians vs. the Aboriginal Family Unit
Language and Culture
Summary
Analysis
In the evening down at the Long Pool Camp, Mary begins her contractions. She cries out, asking for Joe, and begs the Millimurra-Mundays to keep “them” from taking the baby. Gran comforts Mary and promises no one will take the baby, and says that the Matron is coming to help. Mary doesn’t want the Matron to come, and she is beginning to give birth, so Gran serves as midwife, calling out to Milly to collect clean ashes while she soothes Mary.
Mary is still afraid that her baby will be taken away from her, like the babies of other Aboriginal women who had children out of wedlock. Luckily the Millimurra-Munday family is there to take care of her and comfort her.
Themes
Mary delivers her baby, and Gran cuts and ties the umbilical cord, just like she did Joe’s. She uses the ashes Milly gathered as baby powder, joking that it’s “better than Johnson’s Baby Powder.” She hands the baby back to Mary and tells her “He’s yours for life.”
Gran is able to easily deliver Mary’s baby, just like she delivered Joe. She takes pride in her ability to take care of her family’s medical needs.
Themes
David wakes up and comes to look at his new nephew. Sam rushes in to meet his grandson. The Matron finally arrives, but Mary refuses to hand over her baby. The Matron insists she only wants to help, but Mary is convinced that if she gives up her child black trackers will take him and kill him. The Matron leaves, but first offers some cotton wool, baby powder, and soap. Gran turns her down, saying the ashes from the fire are good enough.
The whole family is excited to welcome the new addition and comfort the new mother. Although the Matron arrives with Western medicine and birthing supplies, Gran has already delivered the baby and does not need her help.
Themes
