Stereotypes Is Jack Davis-No Sugar

Stereotypes in Jack Davis-No Sugar.

The characters in Jack Davis' play "No Sugar" are characters that fit colonial stereotypes (both Aboriginals and Whites) although they seem to be exaggerated. Contrasting characters reveal Ideological ideas and attitudes through things like language, often through conflict.40

The characters of White Australian descent tend to speak with pompous language, disguising their evil deeds behind kind phrases. The most obvious example of this is the character Mr. Neville. He states, with refined language, in (Act One Scene Two), that: …"if you provide the native the basic accoutrements of civilization, you’re halfway to civilizing him." This reveals a belief that Whites are unquestionably superior and that any previous Aboriginal civilization was irrelevant. The pompous statement of the Whites are juxta-posed against the more crude and blunt comments of Aboriginal characters .to show the audience the belief that whites are superior.103

The character of Mr. Neal seems like a cruel evil man which is the way the Aboriginals would probably have viewed Whites (he is a stereotype) Neal believes blacks are worthless, he lives by the words of J. Ernest Regan, that: "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" (Act Four Scene Four), instead of trying to better Aboriginals and help them he is trying to suppress them and keep them ignorant so they will not turn into a threat to him or Whites in general. His wife Matron seems like a kind caring person, like a mother figure which is how the audience expects a Matron to be. Their conflicting beliefs (Matron promotes the idea of improving aboriginals, Mr Neal promotes ignorance and suppression) causes conflict Neal "I can’t see anything funny about this" Matron "I know you can’t" (Act two Scene Ten).143

Mr. Neal’s beliefs also conflict with the beliefs of Sister Eileen.” What do you mean that you don’t encourage natives to read?" Mr. Neal “That’s right" (Act four Scene four). She also disagrees on the methods he uses "the use of violence by your native policemen.....I’d prefer they came on their own free will" (Act four Scene four) Sister Eileen believes in improving the natives which is completely opposite to the belief held by Mr. Neal that natives should remain ignorant. Mr. Neal resents Sister Eileen’s input "bloody do-gooders" and threatens her when she speaks out "I could arrange a transfer for you to another settlement; perhaps Mulla Bulla on the edge of the Gibson Desert”. He is using his power to bend people to his will, the same way he uses his power to force young girls into sleeping with him. His cruel nature reveals the attitude that some Whites had that it was acceptable to use power or influence to control other people who he considers inferior e.g. aboriginals and females.175

Matron is aware of the deeds of Mr. Neal e.g.: the story of how Mr. Neal used to have sex with aboriginal girls and then send the babies into the fields to be killed, and she hints to him that she knows what he’s doing MATRON "As matron in charge of the hospital, I thought it was my job to allocate nursing aides" NEAL "I was only trying to help you" MATRON "Or Yourself"( Act two Scene nine) but she seems to be unable to really prevent it showing the power lies with the male which was a general belief of that time (male dominance) 105

The character Jimmy is a stereotype, drunken, aggressive, outspoken with a disregard for the law, "...Native Protector, couldn’t protect my dog from fleas" because of this there is repeated conflict involving him. Through his disruptive and aggressive behavior he reveals views held by aboriginals such as the injustice of the treatment of Aboriginals by Whites. When he is set up with the character of Mr. Neville(Act One Scene Seven) there is conflict JIMMY "Minding' me own bloody business" NEVILLE "let me give you a piece of advise: sugar catches more flies than vinegar" The conflict is caused because of the lack of sympathy or tolerance Mr. Neville shows for Jimmy. Jimmy is rebelling against this treatment by being disruptive and annoying.121

The character of Gran may represent Aboriginality through her character traits. She is proud, "Isn't that the neatest belly button you seen?" and "I brought him into the world with me own two hands.” (Act Two Scene Four), determined and stubborn. Her spirit has not been broken despite White attempts to do so. For this reason when she is juxta-posed against white characters, even those of authority she seems to get some respect from them Matron "You did a very good job granny"