— Mingma Sherpa
Remembering Babylon written by David Malouf is a novel that depicts tales of racism, colonialism, and sexism. The novel was an interesting and difficult read. Controversial topics like colonialism and racism have been given emphasis in the novel. However, more than colonialism and racism, the portrayal of female characters as a source of strength is what attracted me more to the novel. Characters like Janet and Ellen depicted inner strength and wisdom that the men in the society did not possess. Gender discrimination during that era has been talked about. White mens’ world, where they have the authority over anyone less has been overshadowed by their inner fear and desire for power. The male characters in this novel are constantly living in an illusion of power that the society has created for them, but the female characters have crossed over the limitations set by the society.
Janet is one of the strongest characters in the novel. She is not free to do whatever she likes as Lachlan’s superiority overshadows her ability. She still later finds her inner personality after an incident with the bees. The burden that gender has on a human being and the way it affects lives is alarming. The novel has beautifully put together the idea of evolving from gender roles and discrimination through finding inner strength and personality. The novel is a great work of literature as it effectively connects to the readers worldwide and leaves a mark
