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Chapter 18
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
Albert’s entries convey heartache and the belief that humans are one with the natural world. In the definitions of girinya (“play”) and gandyan (“policeman”), he remembers the frequent juxtaposition between light and dark in his life. His descriptions of the biladurang (“platypus”), didadida (“plover”), and garru (“magpie”) emphasize these animals’ self-sacrificial care for their young, which Albert completely understands. In the entry for dyirribang (“old man”), he reflects on how neither he nor Falstaff (Eddie’s father) ever owned their land. Nevertheless, Albert is grateful to a local librarian, Julie, who he calls a dharrang-dharrang (a “messenger”) for helping him compile his dictionary. He hopes the marks (murru) he leaves on the world are gentle.
Though Albert’s dictionary entries jump from subject to subject, it’s possible to piece together his life story and intentions from his definitions. The history of colonial oppression weighs heavily on Albert, who has strived to care for his family despite the many challenges they face as Aboriginal Australians. His deep connection with the land can be read as a plea for its conservation, especially in light of Rinepalm’s advances. His praise of Julie the librarian reiterates his reverence for language. Lastly, Albert expresses a vague hope of leaving only gentle marks on the world, perhaps signifying a desire for his dictionary to act as a final account of his life and goals.
Active
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