In "The Secret River" by Kate Grenville, one example of a demonic "other" can be seen in the character Smasher Sullivan. Smasher is presented as an antagonist throughout the novel, a relentless figure who revels in violence and seeks to control and dominate the Indigenous people of Australia. His actions are driven by a deep sense of racial superiority and a belief in the inherent savagery of the Aboriginal people.
Smasher's character embodies the demonization and dehumanization of the Indigenous population by the colonial settlers. He represents the dark, destructive forces that clash with the protagonist, William Thornhill, as he attempts to claim land and establish a new life on the Hawkesbury River. Smasher consistently carries out cruel acts against the Aboriginal people, including acts of physical violence, theft, and murder.
Through the character Smasher Sullivan, Grenville highlights the dangerous consequences of viewing the Indigenous population as an "other" - a demonic force that needs to be subdued or eradicated. The novel showcases the destructive impact of such thinking on the individuals involved, as well as the wider implications for colonisation and the ethical questions it raises.
example of demonic other in the secret river by kate grevile
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