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Chapter 15
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Yield, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Colonialism and Exploitation
The Power of Language and Cultural History
Family, Identity, and Belonging
Collective Trauma, Memory, and Guilt
Human Spirituality and the Natural World
Summary
Analysis
In his dictionary, Albert claims gudhi (“songs”) are the Gondiwindi method of passing information through generations. He relates the ancestors’ story of the Southern Cross constellation (gibirrgan), in which a great leader dies and persuades his four daughters to climb into the sky and join him as stars. In the entry for balubuningidyilinya (“suicide”), Albert laments that his and Elsie’s efforts to preoccupy young people at Prosperous weren’t always enough to eclipse the “old pain coming through.” Next, he contextualizes wadha-gung (“rabbits”) and waagan (“ravens”). The settlers’ rabbits invaded Australia and ate the food of native animals. Ravens, on the other hand, have a reputation for trickery, but Albert admires their lifelong devotion to their families.
As in other entries, Albert’s connection to his ancestors demonstrates how his cultural history has bolstered him throughout his life. On the other hand, the collective trauma shared by Aboriginal Australians has manifested in high rates of suicide among the younger generations despite Albert and Elsie’s attempts to provide supportive community. As seen previously, many of Albert’s entries concerning the natural world note how colonialism damaged natural ecosystems. Like the ravens he admires, Albert is devoted to people he considers family.
Active
Themes
Albert defines more words using anecdotes from his life. He has realized that yindyamarra (“respect”) is only achievable between equals. He recalls arguing with Elsie about the Bible’s claim that women came from men’s ribs (dharrar) and hopes he taught his daughters to demand equality. Albert repeatedly connects the natural world to human experiences, claiming the bila (“river”) is the source of everything and lamenting the way the Gondiwindi have been scattered like ngaraang (“bees”). Lastly, he remembers how he and Elsie were blessed to raise the bula (“pair”) of Jedda and August. Albert’s fondest memories are of teaching his granddaughters about their ancestors and acting as their parent (buwubarra).
