Summary

The Prologue began with eight-year-old Mathinna hiding on Flinders Island. Three days prior, Governor John Franklin and his wife, Lady Jane Franklin, visited Flinders from their home on a nearby island renamed by the British as Van Diemen’s Land. The Palawa believed that the Franklins were “impulsive, foolish people” (1). The Franklins stayed with the man responsible for the Palawa settlement, George Robinson. They required a show from the Palawa males and children. While Mathinna was dancing, Lady Jane paid special attention to her. She called her over to rudely marvel at her. Robinson divulged that Mathinna was the daughter of the chieftain and now orphaned. She had already begun learning English language and customs, which impressed Lady Franklin. She insisted that she “keep her,” and no one intervened on Mathinna’s behalf (5).

Part 1, “Evangeline,” began from Evangeline’s perspective in Chapter...