The Concept of Forgiveness in 'The Secret River’ and ‘Burial Rites’
The concept of forgiveness or having a second chance is explored in both texts ‘The Secret River’ by Daina Reid and ‘Burial Rites’ by Hannah Kent. The element of forgiveness is linked to a second chance since the two themes both play major roles in the dialogue. Similarly, both texts allowed characters to receive a second chance in their lives which ends up being paramount to the plot. ‘The Secret River’ exhibits the impact of a second chance whilst in ‘Burial Rites’ finding the second chance is harder to detect. Although both texts have in common the concept of forgiveness or that having a second chance may provide characters with a new lease on life or a positive outcome with their life or even a helping hand with their survival. While on the other hand, the two texts explore a negative link to the elements of forgiveness and receiving a second chance, whereby characters are prevented from these elements due to their wrongful actions.
By characters receiving a second chance or forgiveness they can create a better life for themselves or their families. The capacity of forgiveness or a second chance to provide a better life is shown in both narratives ‘Burial Rites’ and ‘The Secret River’. In Kent’s novel she highlights how Agnes’ life changes in a positive way due to finally being in a warm family setting. Whilst in ‘The Secret River’ Reid features the concept that, although moving to Australia is a punishment, it seems to have a positive effect on the Thornhill’s life. Although Agnes’ second chance of life will be short, she still has a better life than before she killed Natan. By murdering Natan she finally gets to be a part of something she has never had, a family. Agnes says “I was so happy to be desired” magnifies the notion that she has finally received what she has always longed for. Corresponding to this Will being sent to Australia and Sal and the children following him allows them all to get a second chance at life. After living in Australia for some time Will works for Blackwood who helps him, and his family slowly improve their way of living. Once the Thornhills have enough money, they finally take the land they want. For Will this is a major success in his new life since his second chance has provided him with living standards which he never thought he would have. The significance for the Thornhills in finally having their own land is caused by living in poverty before coming to Australia but by receiving a second chance they are able to finally achieve their goals and desires. Reid exposes this by making Will constantly try to convince Sal to stay even though she plans to move back to England. Fortunately, for Agnes and the Thornhills their new lifestyles have in their own ways improved. For Agnes she finally has a family which she has always wanted and for Will and his family they no longer live in poverty as they have gained a large piece of land.
Throughout the narratives, a second chance for characters can impact their quality of life and may even save the lives of individuals. For the main characters, a second chance helps them live their lives in a more harmonious way. The Thornhills getting a second chance with the Aboriginal people ended up being the key element for why Sal managed to survive. The Indigenous people giving the Thornhills a second chance allowed them to become friendly with the natives. Fortunately for Sal the Indigenous woman knew how to save her with ‘eel’. By creating a positive relationship between Sal and the Aboriginal woman, Reid allowed Sal to survive. This connects to a second chance being a cause to allow survival, since without the women's help Sal would have died from her illness.
Corresponding to this, by Agnes being placed into Margret and her family's care she receives a second chance to be a part of a family. By finally being in a family Agnes “was so happy to be desired” and this short second chance would end up fulfilling her ‘desire’ to be a member of a family. In addition to this Agnes has a positive to her death sentence because she finally has achieved being a member of a positive family environment. By being in a family Agnes has benefited from her crime. Paralleling to this both Agnes and the Thornhills have benefited from their second chances, the second chance for both Agnes and the Thornhills has assisted them in their survival. Agnes’ second chance in addition to giving her a family also made her life less painful since the family provided her with a level of comfort that she has never had before and ultimately it aided her survival. Providing a further point of similarity, Sal’s second chance with the Aboriginals ended up being the reason why she survived through her illness, as Sal mending her relationship with the woman ended up saving her life.
Unfortunately, certain individuals made decisions which did not allow them to be able to receive forgiveness or a second chance. The characters' choices in the past may have stopped them from receiving a second chance to repair a relationship later on. By murdering Natan, Agnes will never be forgiven nor receive a second chance. Agnes’ actions have caused her to not be able to receive a second chance with her beloved Natan. Although Agnes feels ‘she belongs to Natan’ she still will be prosecuted and the fact that she murdered him will not help her get a second chance. In addition, due to committing murder, Agnes receives a punishment and will be hung for her crimes, this will also take away her ability for a second chance since her life will come to an end. Similar to this, because Will murdered the Aboriginal people it caused him to lose the relationship with his son Dickey, consequently for Will his son won’t forgive him for the choices he made. As shown in the final scenes of ‘The Secret River’, Dickey no longer spoke to his father since he was a part of the massacre, which proved to take a massive tole on their relationship. This parallels to how the actions of individuals may cause them to not be able to be forgiven or get a second chance. Therefore, the key individuals from both texts Will and Agnes end up not receiving forgiveness due to other characters' moral codes. This is magnified in ‘The Secret River’ by Dickey refusing to talk to his father. This is a result of Dickey not being able to forgive his father for the atrocities he committed to the indigenous people. Mirroring this, Agnes will never be able to receive forgiveness or a second chance from Natan due to her murdering him and the fact that he physically won't be able to forgive her.
Ultimately, both texts explore the concept of forgiveness and having a second chance. The texts highlight how forgiveness and a second chance may change the characters’ lives in a positive way, as well as how a second chance can help the characters survive. Providing a point of contrast, the Characters may not be forgiven due to the other key characters’ moral consciences stopping them from forgiving those who caused major conflicts throughout the narratives. The creators Hannah Kent and Daina Reid both magnified how the concept of forgiveness impacts the characters in a positive manner as well as how a second chance could be crucial to individuals’ survival. Thus, both narratives highlight how characters’ actions also can also affect them getting a second chance, for example Will won’t be forgiven by Dickey and Agnes wont be forgiven since she murdered Natan.
