Class and Social Mobility

Where it surfaces

• Terrible Hollow

  Father's admiration for Starlight as a 'gentleman' despite his criminal life reflects the colonial Australian fascination with class and the perceived natural superiority of the educated elite.

• VII

  Dick contrasts the struggles of poor farmers with the resources of wealthy squatters, highlighting class inequality in the colony.

• VIII

  Mr. Falkland represents the possibility of improvement through hard work, but Dick is skeptical that the upper class will share opportunities.

• IX

  The encounter between Miss Falkland, a wealthy landowner's daughter, and Jim Marston, a shearer, highlights class boundaries and moments of cross-class kindness.

• XII

  Starlight's ability to pass as a wealthy squatter and dine at Government House illustrates the fluidity of social class in colonial Australia, where money and performance could mask a criminal past.

• Homecoming and Family Tension

  George Storefield's rise from humble beginnings contrasts with the Marstons' stagnation, highlighting themes of hard work versus outlawry.

• XV

  George's rise from humble beginnings to prosperous farmer contrasts with the Marstons' descent into outlawry.

• The Trial and Sentencing

  The defense criticizes wealthy squatters for monopolizing land and creating temptation for the poor, highlighting class tensions.

• XXIV

  Dick and Jim regret missing the chance to make honest money on the goldfields, contrasting their outlaw life with the opportunities available to others.

• XXVI

  George Storefield's rise from humble beginnings to wealth contrasts with the Marston family's decline, highlighting class divisions and the possibility of upward mobility through hard work.

• The Ballabri Bank Robbery

  The gold rush disrupts social norms, allowing bushrangers and strangers to move freely, and the gang's accumulated wealth tempts them with the possibility of a new life abroad.

• XXVIII

  The diggings offer a leveling ground where outlaws and English lords mix freely, and wealth from gold allows social fluidity.

• Jim's Marriage and the New Inspector

  George Storefield's rise from digger to respected businessman, contrasted with the rigid social hierarchy of the goldfield.

• XXXI

  Dick reflects on the mix of honest miners and criminal scum on the goldfields, and his own desire to escape his past and start anew with Gracey.

• XXXIV

  Starlight's ability to pass as a gentleman miner among the upper-class Clifford and Hastings highlights the fluidity of social identity on the goldfields.

• XLII

  George Storefield's rise from humble beginnings to magistrate and wealthy landowner contrasts with the Marstons' decline, underscoring class divisions.

• Chapter XLIV

  Illiteracy is highlighted as a barrier that drives men like Dad Marston to drink and despair.

• XLVII

  The ball and wedding highlight class distinctions, with Starlight's disguise allowing him to move among the elite, while characters like Bella Barnes marry for social advancement.

• XLVIII

  Starlight's ability to pass as a gentleman and mingle with high society at the races and ball illustrates the fluidity of class boundaries in colonial Australia.

• LI

  George Storefield's rise to wealth contrasts with the outlaws' stagnant situation, and his offer of a new start highlights the possibility of social redemption.

• LII

  George Storefield's rise from a cottage to a stone mansion exemplifies upward mobility through hard work and shrewd investment.