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Libs_Books wrote: ↑09 Apr 2018, 12:15 I agree that Natalie would face prejudice in almost any country, but I do think there are important differences and I suspect that there are significant differences between the USA and Australia in this respect. To take just one example, as far as I know, there is no person of Aboriginal descent who has achieved the same respect and recognition as Martin Luther King.

I think she would face just as much prejudice. Even though America has recognized and held up (a very white-washed version of) Dr. King, the average person of color experiences a LOT of prejudice just going through their day to day life. We haven't made as much progress as we would like to think.

I don't think for a second that the modern day USA and 1950s Australia are comparable in terms of racial politics. Depending on where in the modern USA Natalie was plonked, she'd face more or less poor treatment (more in rural areas, less in San Fran or somewhere), but likely nothing compared to 1950s Aus.

One of the ways in which the story works is the applicability of it to any place or time. If it were to be set in America then native Americans would be used. However the story would not work as well in a city. One technique which is used is the contrast between the natural beauty around Natalie and the the trauma and abuse which she suffers.

Unfortunately, Natalie would experience racial slurs as long as she isn't considered completely caucasian.

I think it's possible that Natalie would still get the same because some whites are cruel against anyone who isn't white. But I think they would be more accepting of her now compared to the setting of the story.

I think the story would not be much different in America because mixed race is part and parcel of the US

The setting helps to explain Natalie as an outsider. This theme is easily transferable across history and place. The United States has a long history and present of discrimination and making sure people know their place in society. Most of us feel that in some way from time to time so I'm sure Natalie's story would still work.

lesler wrote: ↑05 Apr 2018, 19:00 Yes, I absolutely think this story would be relatable if the setting was America. This story reminded me of the deep south at the turn of the 20th century, when poor farming families struggled to survive.

Yes the Southerners were very destitute in the wake of the 20th century.

Yes of course she'd be able to adapt in America's today life.

I think the Indigenous Australians have more in common with the First Nations people in the US than with African Americans.

I agree with other users, I think she would be treated much like people of mixed races are treated here in America. The story may not have been exactly the same, but I feel like most stories change if the setting changes.

lesler wrote: ↑05 Apr 2018, 19:00 Yes, I absolutely think this story would be relatable if the setting was America. This story reminded me of the deep south at the turn of the 20th century, when poor farming families struggled to survive.

I have heard severally the plight that the southerners went through in the 20th century.

I am one to believe that you could take almost any story and set it in modern times and make in believable because at the heart of every story, there are the same notes about humanity. In fact, setting this story in a modern time might actually help to highlight some of the important themes of the book.

I still believe the story would be relatable and believable if set in America, with Natalie black or Hispanic or similar. People of colour in the US arguably face the same - and sometimes worse - challenges and prejudice as Aboriginal people do in Australia.

Setting is important because it shapes a person's identity. In addition to this, there is strength in numbers. Being a part of a small, marginalized group like the Aborigines in Australia, unfortunately, makes these people vulnerable to discrimination.

Even in a country with lots of immigrants and people of all different backgrounds, there is still division. So if the setting changed to America, I think she would still face the same challenges.