A Character Analysis of John McIvor in Andrew McGahan's "The White Earth"

Presentation / Essay (Pre-University) from the year 2016 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 15 Punkte, , language: English, abstract: This essay provides an analysis of John McIvor, a character from John McGahan's 2004 novel The White Earth.

John McIvor is a man of enormous drive and determination. It is the intimate bond with Kuran Station that propels his relentless strife throughout the novel, first to acquire it, then to keep it for himself. This paper will briefly outline the causes of this defining character trait of his and then discuss its consequences for John McIvor¿s personal relationships. Towards the end, the generational conflict that ensues between John and his daughter Ruth will be put into the context of the major themes of The White Earth.

It stands to reason that the vigor that he pursues his aim with stems from a deep seated psychological need, acquired during childhood and completely internalized by the time John reaches adulthood. Accordingly, in The White Earth the question of ownership is already raised in John¿s earliest childhood experiences.