Ned Corcoran is one of the McIvors’ neighbors. Ned Corcoran’s character is not developed much in the story and it does not reveal anything about his background, but he represents the worst impulses of the settlers in their xenophobic racism. Ned even goes so far as arguing that the settlers should exterminate all the Aboriginal Australians in the area.
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Ned Corcoran Character Timeline in Remembering Babylon
The timeline below shows where the character Ned Corcoran appears in Remembering Babylon. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 3
...that it is because some part of himself still lives among the native people. Even Ned Corcoran, himself a scheming and thieving fellow, feels that Gemmy is exploiting their generosity. He...
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Chapter 6
Some settlers, like Ned Corcoran, think they should go raiding and simply kill all the Aboriginal Australians they can...
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Chapter 7
...he never finds signs that someone has. Jock meets the “ritual complaint” with “ritual reassurance.” Ned remarks, however, that he wonders if Gemmy is in secret contact with his former tribesmen...
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Chapter 10
...absurd superstition and is “sickened” that the settlers have sunk so far into their fear. Ned Corcoran approaches, making accusations, and Jock loses his temper defending Gemmy—which the other settlers see...
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Chapter 17
...full distance that separates him from the other boys. The other children—one of whom is Ned Corcoran’s—mock Lachlan for his friendship with Gemmy and play-act shooting the man dead, like their...
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