Summary

In the section “Strangers,” William Thornhill walked outside the hut he had been assigned in the prison colony of New South Wales. His wife and two babies were sleeping inside. He felt tears coming to his eyes because he knew his old way of life was over. As he looked into the darkness a naked black man with a spear emerged from it. He yelled at the man, telling him to be off. The man parroted his words back to him. Thornhill stood his ground and the man disappeared.

Part One opens with a description of Thornhill’s childhood. He grew up in a tiny crowded room. He was always hungry. Every member of the family had stolen at one time or another so that the family could eat. His first memory was of the snarling lions in front of...