Remembering Babylon

by

David Malouf

Jim Sweetman Character Analysis

Jim Sweetman is one of the McIvors’ neighbors and Jock’s friend. As a contrast to Ned Corcoran, Jim Sweetman is also sparsely developed as a character, serving primarily to represent the best elements of the settlers as a compassionate and cool-headed figure. Contrary to Ned Corcoran, Jim Sweetman has no hatred towards the Aboriginal Australians even though his land is the most exposed. However, when he considers the fact that his granddaughter—the center of his world—might be put in danger by roaming Aboriginal men, even he succumbs to fearful racism, demonstrating how even the best people may be coaxed into bigoted beliefs or actions by fear for their loved ones.

Jim Sweetman Quotes in Remembering Babylon

The Remembering Babylon quotes below are all either spoken by Jim Sweetman or refer to Jim Sweetman. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Racism and Xenophobia Theme Icon
).
Chapter 17 Quotes

Something had been destroyed in [Jock] that could not be put right. [Lachlan] watched his uncle drift back after a time to his friends, to Barney Mason, Jim Sweetman, but the days of unselfconscious trust in his standing among them, and the belief that to be thought well of by such fellows was the first thing in the world, were gone.

Related Characters: Lachlan Beattie, Jock McIvor, Barney Mason, Jim Sweetman
Page Number: 161
Explanation and Analysis:
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Jim Sweetman Quotes in Remembering Babylon

The Remembering Babylon quotes below are all either spoken by Jim Sweetman or refer to Jim Sweetman. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Racism and Xenophobia Theme Icon
).
Chapter 17 Quotes

Something had been destroyed in [Jock] that could not be put right. [Lachlan] watched his uncle drift back after a time to his friends, to Barney Mason, Jim Sweetman, but the days of unselfconscious trust in his standing among them, and the belief that to be thought well of by such fellows was the first thing in the world, were gone.

Related Characters: Lachlan Beattie, Jock McIvor, Barney Mason, Jim Sweetman
Page Number: 161
Explanation and Analysis: