The Turning

by

Tim Winton

Wobbegong Term Analysis

Wobbegong is a common name given to several species of carpet sharks—small, bottom-dwelling sharks native to shallow waters in the Pacific and Indian oceans. The name is derived from an Australian Aboriginal word. Vic Lang refers to his cousins as wobbegongs as a joke about their ugliness.
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Wobbegong Term Timeline in The Turning

The timeline below shows where the term Wobbegong appears in The Turning. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Abbreviation
Family, Violence, and Love Theme Icon
Belonging and Escape Theme Icon
...Cleo fought. Vic is not fond of his extended family, describing Ernie’s daughters as his wobbegong cousins. Despite Ernie making them late with both his domestic squabbles and, later, reckless driving,... (full context)
Reunion
Trauma and Memory Theme Icon
Family, Violence, and Love Theme Icon
Regret and Forgiveness Theme Icon
...be a teacher, not a housewife her whole life. They then discuss Ernie’s family; the wobbegong cousins are all married with children now. Carol then tells Gail about Ernie’s depredations, and... (full context)