English Monologue

Mornin Mrs Herring! Thank the good Lord you are here! I aint sure how much
more time to meself I can bear.
Where is William?
Oh Will hes with Dan and Ned tryn to get those blasted crops to grow, haha
(nervous laughter).
I dont know why he bothers
What are you coming at Mrs Herring?
Nothin of importance love
Will may be a blockhead most of the time but, he has provided for us and he
knows what hes doin here well at least I hope he does
You seem to doubt his efforts?
Doubt Will? I wouldnt dare say anythin to him to show I doubt him! I
wouldnt dare (raises hand to cheek in memory). I have always supported Will,
I taught him to sign his name, I saved his neck from the rope cause he was as
innocent as the child unborn, and I followed him not only to this barren country,
but to this unforsaken piece of dirt we now call home! (stares wide eyed as she
realises what she has revealed) Please please Mrs Herring not a word of
this to Will
You have me word Sal, I wont tell that oaf a thing.
(smiles at what Mrs Herring says) Thankyou Its just I finally start to settle
down in this new land and Will is begging me to move further away from the
things that bring me comfort. Give it five years Sal as God as my witness
What about me, what about my witness? I aint got a clue how you do it Mrs
Herring, up there on your lonesome I really aint.
Tell me what the real matter i.
What the real matter is? I got an inkling you wont understand.
Come on just spill it, say what the matter is.
You wana know how I feel eh? (explodes figuratively) Well I feel cheated! Five
years of Wills freedom out ere is five years of me life that I am a prisoner! And I
did it to meself willingly as if I was me own judge at me own trial, I condemned
meself to a life of constant battles for sanity and freedom. I couldve died here in
this godforsaken land if it wasnt for you but even while I was weak, never did
Will tell me comforting stories bout home. Its like our history is but a distant
shadow in is memory, and I cant stand it! But I love Will too much to say no to
is new dreams, and by the by it aint my place.

It is your place. You ave every right to tell Will how you feel you aint his slave
are you?
No Mrs Herring, I aint his slave but (looks a little startled)
No excuses! You need to tell William how you feel.
I guess youre right No excuses its like what Blackwood always sayin eh? To
get a little you must give a little, and Will aint been givin me nothin lately.
(sighs and is struggling to find an answer) Oh but, what am I to do Mrs Herring?
You can see as well as me that Will has changed. That sweet innocent man I
knew and loved back in England has been twisted and changed in this dammed
land. There is a coldness in is eye that this country has buried in there. He is
constantly leavin me in the dark, thinkin it best for me, but I see right through is
act, just like you can. He is walkin down a dangerous path and I aint sure if me
or the kids can follow
Please Mrs Herring, tell me how you made peace with em blacks, so I can stop
Will travelin down this dark and twisted path. We still might be able to make
peace with them and live in acceptance with each other for our remaining four
and a half years here.
Let them do what they need to do and you do the same. Learn from each other,
we are the same, just with different back stories.
(Thoughtful) Huh is that all it takes some faith and trust..? we learn from
them just like you did with them medicine the idea sounds grand I just aint
sure how Will, will take to the idea. I guess it is time though to start standing up
for my beliefs as well aint it? To get a little you must give a little
Exactly love that is the only way to go once that blockhead of yours realises
that then you will be happy here for the rest of your days.
Haha but I think you were meaning for the next few years Mrs Herring not the
rest of me days.
Student X,
This is a great start.
You have generally assumed the language of the Sal and made insightful
references to the text. I want you to review your understanding of Sals character
and her relationship with Will. She initially has a lot of power over Will but
gradually loses a degree of influence as she is constantly battling with him. This
is demonstrated through her strong approach with Will and alternatively, through
her silence. Will is determined to prove to her that they will have a great life on
the Hawkesbury through buying her gifts and comparing it to Thames. Sal is
intelligent enough to realise that Will is lying to her and concealing the truth
about the Darugs threats but still he continues to lie to her. Why would he lie to
her? He knows that she disapproves. How does he know she disapproves? Sal

constantly states it. Therefore, her lack of ability to tell Will how she
feels is not an issue in the novel. You need to be very careful as your
monologue portrays this as an issue and therefore, conveys a misinterpretation
of her character/ relationship. The issue is that Will defies Sals wishes, lies
and manipulates her and she is aware of this but rather powerless to
change the circumstances. However, she ALWAYS expresses her disdain
for the settlers behaviour towards the indigenous people.
Do not panic!!! as your monologue just needs tweaking not a complete
overhaul. I think this monologue should be centred on her sense of despair as
she knows deep down she will never be returning to London. However, I think
you need to resolve the monologue through identifying and exploring the fact
that Sal is a terrier, a fighter and she will make this work
For example,
You are my witness Mrs Herring I will make this work for the sake of my
children for the sake of my children

Angry at Will

Lost

Confused
Despair
Disconnect
ed
Lonely

Sadness

I can do this!
Terrier

Why is he
lying?

He lies and
deceives her

Determined

How can he
socialise with
those people
(Smasher)

Manipulates
her

Loves her children

she will make this
work for their sake

Willie their son

is becoming
influence

Willie has a lot

to say towards
his mother and
his brother
(naughty
brat)

Her and will

have always
had such a
strong bond
however, now
they can hardly
speak to the
other
Her feelings
about their
silence and his
treatment
towards her

Will has
changed

Sal is a survivor
more so than Will
Will knows this