# II explained — Such Is Life

> Chapter companion for Such Is Life by Joseph Furphy.

## What happens

Tom Collins reflects on the Australian landscape and national identity, visits Rory O'Halloran's paddock, observes Rory's daughter Mary's early writing, and debates the location of the Garden of Eden. He then explains his narrative method of sampling one day per month and recounts an argument at Goolumbulla station about cattle scenting water.

## Themes in this chapter

### Colonial Australian Identity

Tom reflects on the Australian landscape as the place where national consciousness is fully realized, distinct from cities or mining areas.

### The Nature of Truth and Narrative

Tom explains his method of sampling one day per month to avoid plot and denouement, emphasizing a faithful analysis of life.

### Determinism vs. Free Will

Tom muses on the 'linked sins of aggression and submission' and the possibility of breaking free from historical injustices.

## Character check-ins

### Tom Collins

Narrator and observer, reflects on the landscape and visits Rory O'Halloran.

### Rory O'Halloran

Evergreen Irishman, delighted to see Tom, shows his daughter Mary's writing and discusses the Garden of Eden.

### Mary O'Halloran

Rory's young daughter, writes her name 'MRAY' for Tom to see.

### Jack Ward

Senior narangy at Goolumbulla, argues that cattle can scent water from a distance.

### Andrews

Storekeeper at Goolumbulla, skeptical of the cattle scenting water claim.

## Key lines

> It is not in our cities or townships, it is not in our agricultural or mining areas, that the Australian attains full consciousness of his own nationality; it is in places like this

True Australian national identity is found in the remote scrub, not in urban or industrial settings.

_Tom asserts the bush as the crucible of national character._

> For though history is a thing that never repeats itself—since no two historical propositions are alike—one perennial truth holds good, namely, that every social hardship or injustice may be traced back to the linked sins of aggression and submission

History does not repeat, but all social injustices originate from acts of aggression and submission.

_Tom reflects on the roots of societal problems._

> I therefore concluded to skip one calendar month, dipping again into my old diary at Oct. 9th in the same year, namely, ’83

Tom decides to jump ahead one month in his diary to October 9, 1883.

_Tom explains his narrative shift to sample different days._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/such_is_life_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/such_is_life_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/such_is_life_se/chapters