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Chapter 17
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
Reverend Greenleaf continues his tale. He harvested crops from the Mission and offered them to Aboriginal Australians in the nearby camps. Eventually, word spread among the indigenous population that Greenleaf was offering safe dwellings and many moved into the huts. The township grew to include houses for married couples, a girls’ and boys’ dormitory, a school and church, and a teacher’s cottage. Greenleaf hired Hans Keller to teach the Aboriginal Australian children while he supervised construction and went out to secure donations. Despite their regular poverty, Greenleaf claims the Mission suffered most at the hands of those who wanted to “deal with the Natives in their own way.”
Greenleaf uses crops to endear himself to the Aboriginal Australians, demonstrating how the practice of sharing food can create community. Though subtle, Greenleaf’s intention to assimilate the Mission’s residents into European culture can be seen in his construction plans. Greenleaf essentially creates a miniature village according to White Christian cultural standards, separating boys from girls and building a church and school for indoctrination. Greenleaf receives little help from the local government and is frequently harassed by White settlers who don’t believe Aboriginal Australians are worth caring about.
Active
Themes
During Greenleaf’s absences, townsmen began bringing alcohol into the women’s camp and forcing them to become intoxicated, after which they would abuse them. One of them was the hotel owner Mr. Murray. Greenleaf sent one young girl, Daisy, to live with a “good Christian family” in the north for her protection. He obtained a gun and tried to remain at the Mission as often as possible. Townsmen continued to break into the girls’ dormitory and threaten the Mission. Greenleaf knew they wanted to exploit and abuse the Aboriginal Australians who had found safety in his town. He requested police intervention to no avail. Greenleaf and the other men fortified their fences and placed their faith in God, fearing further escalation.
Active
Themes
