In the novel, Voss by Patrick White, there are two unique main characters who are both searching for something, under the constraints of others. They remind me of the movie, Australia, because the two main characters are very similar to Voss and Laura. Laura and Voss are total opposites, exchanging witty banter similar to Darcy and Elizabeth in Pride & Prejudice, with interesting viewpoints coming from each background.
Voss, the German, seems like a naturalist and a daydreamer, relying on the world outside of people, his "sight," and his feelings to be his "map." He seems not to have been brought up in proper society, not having use for "beautiful" women, fancy things, saying he is "sufficient in himself." When Laura makes a jab at men oppressing women, he says to Laura, "I do not always understand very well, not all things." Mrs. Bonner describe him as "lost. His eyes cannot find their way," making him seem like a wanderer with no final destination.
Laura Trevelyan seems like a typical pampered "flawless" girl, who on her "beautiful" surface seems happy spending her time with "embroidery" and being "nice" to her servants, but not liking them. Underneath she is a woman wanting to express herself but is afraid to branch out. Even though she reads until "her mind [seems] to be complete," she is also "lost," unable to find her own opinions. She says, "I don't know," when questioned, but I'm sure there is an unexpressed opinion running through her mind. Both Laura and Voss seem restless to break out from the lives they are living.
Voss, the German, seems like a naturalist and a daydreamer, relying on the world outside of people, his "sight," and his feelings to be his "map." He seems not to have been brought up in proper society, not having use for "beautiful" women, fancy things, saying he is "sufficient in himself." When Laura makes a jab at men oppressing women, he says to Laura, "I do not always understand very well, not all things." Mrs. Bonner describe him as "lost. His eyes cannot find their way," making him seem like a wanderer with no final destination.
Laura Trevelyan seems like a typical pampered "flawless" girl, who on her "beautiful" surface seems happy spending her time with "embroidery" and being "nice" to her servants, but not liking them. Underneath she is a woman wanting to express herself but is afraid to branch out. Even though she reads until "her mind [seems] to be complete," she is also "lost," unable to find her own opinions. She says, "I don't know," when questioned, but I'm sure there is an unexpressed opinion running through her mind. Both Laura and Voss seem restless to break out from the lives they are living.
In chapters five through eight of Voss by Patrick White, the Osprey departs and lands in Newcastle. When they arrive in Newcastle, they are invited to stay with the Sanderson's, even though Voss would prefer to sleep outside. Voss sees aboriginals for the first time and feels like all men are "good." Voss meets Mr. Judd, a criminal, joining the expedition. Voss writes Laura a letter, asking for her hand in marriage. The explorers go to Jildra and meet Mr. Brendan Boyle, a judgmental man.
In his letters to Laura, Voss communicates in ways he cannot with his fellow men. He bares his soul, calling his meeting her, a gift of "destiny." His letter leaves Laura "confused," but willing to accept. Voss receives Laura's letter, a positive response to his proposal. Voss writes Laura a letter, admitting that his love for her is his "weakness" and she makes him have "humility." Dugald, a black man, tears up the letter on the way to Mr. Boyle.
Voss is definitely misunderstood by the men who go on the journey with him, especially Palfreyman. Palfreyman describes Voss as "the ugly rock upon which truth must batter itself to survive." They seem to all trust his judgment, even though they questioned his methods, because his strong will has convinced "them of the safety of the money they had invested in him." White shows us the awkward exchanges between Voss and Sanderson as a way to show us how Voss feels uncomfortable being around society and would rather have the "complete freedom" of nature.
In his letters to Laura, Voss communicates in ways he cannot with his fellow men. He bares his soul, calling his meeting her, a gift of "destiny." His letter leaves Laura "confused," but willing to accept. Voss receives Laura's letter, a positive response to his proposal. Voss writes Laura a letter, admitting that his love for her is his "weakness" and she makes him have "humility." Dugald, a black man, tears up the letter on the way to Mr. Boyle.
Voss is definitely misunderstood by the men who go on the journey with him, especially Palfreyman. Palfreyman describes Voss as "the ugly rock upon which truth must batter itself to survive." They seem to all trust his judgment, even though they questioned his methods, because his strong will has convinced "them of the safety of the money they had invested in him." White shows us the awkward exchanges between Voss and Sanderson as a way to show us how Voss feels uncomfortable being around society and would rather have the "complete freedom" of nature.
In chapters 9 through 12 of Voss by Patrick White, Rose dies after giving birth to a girl who she names Mercy, leaving Laura to bond with the child. Mrs. Bonner tries to give Mercy to a childless couple, the Asbolds, but Mrs. Asbold refuses to take her, seeing how much Laura loves the baby. Laura's family attends a ball and wedding of Belle Bonner, who gets married to Radcliffe. Voss and crew encounter several storms, where they have to hide out in caves. Voss is forced to shoot and kill his dog Gyp, because of lack of sheep. Palfreyman reveals his history with his crazy and deformed sister. Palfreyman is killed by a spear of an Aboriginal during an attack on their camp. Judd, Turner, and Angus leave Voss's company to venture off on their own.
There is a lot of dialogue between the characters about how the rules for men and women are different in their society. Mrs. Pringle says, "A husband does think, but that, again is a different kind of thinking.. . I believe that many men, even respectable ones, are themselves, machines." Mrs. Bonner says "it is I who must bear the burden of Rose," implying that her husband thinks children don't concern the men. If women are supposed to be maternal, it seems like the only one who truly cares about the child is Laura. Men like Judd and Turner can't hide their distaste for Voss as a leader, and leave the expedition. On the other hand, women like Mrs. Bonner decide "it would be politic to keep [Mrs. Pringle] as a friend," even though she doesn't like her. Mrs. Bonner also believes Laura is ruining her prospects by adopting Mercy, and Laura says, "If I were a married woman, I do not think it would be so different."
There is a lot of dialogue between the characters about how the rules for men and women are different in their society. Mrs. Pringle says, "A husband does think, but that, again is a different kind of thinking.. . I believe that many men, even respectable ones, are themselves, machines." Mrs. Bonner says "it is I who must bear the burden of Rose," implying that her husband thinks children don't concern the men. If women are supposed to be maternal, it seems like the only one who truly cares about the child is Laura. Men like Judd and Turner can't hide their distaste for Voss as a leader, and leave the expedition. On the other hand, women like Mrs. Bonner decide "it would be politic to keep [Mrs. Pringle] as a friend," even though she doesn't like her. Mrs. Bonner also believes Laura is ruining her prospects by adopting Mercy, and Laura says, "If I were a married woman, I do not think it would be so different."
In Chapters 13 through 16 of Voss by Patrick White, Laura suffers from a near fatal fever and tells her aunt to give Mercy to the Asbolds. Mrs. Bonner has grown secretly attached to Mercy, telling the child to call her "Grandmother," and defies Laura's wishes. Both Laura and Voss see the comet when they are suffering the most. Voss's remaining camp is attacked by the aboriginals. Frightened, Frank Le Mesurier tears up his book of thoughts and then slits his throat. Voss wakes one morning to find Harry has died and his body has turned "green." The aboriginals kill Voss's horses and other livestock. Voss is stabbed to death by an aboriginal boy named Jackie, whom he befriended, but Jackie is trying to please their captors, the Elders.
Laura recovers from her fever, feeling something has gone wrong with Voss. Time passes and Laura becomes a math teacher at school for girls, raising Mercy on her own. Colonel Hobden searches for Voss's missing crew, and before he can reach them, Jackie drowns and Turner and Angus die of starvation. Judd is the sole survivor and Laura meets him, but he confuses Voss with Palfreyman's death. The town puts in a memorial statue of Voss twenty years after the expedition left and Laura is there for the unveiling.
I thought it was a good ending for the novel. Voss's memorial statue made his life and death leave a bigger imprint on the town. Laura has a reminder of him, of their time together and how he affected her life. I thought was a strange way for her to look at Voss as being "safely dead." I guess she figures with him dead, she doesn't have to worry about him and pray for him, like when he was alive.
It was interesting Laura has become a math teacher and future owner of the school for girls, to educate her daughter and the other girls on how not to be "blissfully ignorant" like her cousin Belle. Though Laura does become sort of recluse and hides from society, it makes sense that she didn't need to look for future companionship, because of her connection with Voss. Once Laura was with her soul mate, nobody else could feel the void.
Laura recovers from her fever, feeling something has gone wrong with Voss. Time passes and Laura becomes a math teacher at school for girls, raising Mercy on her own. Colonel Hobden searches for Voss's missing crew, and before he can reach them, Jackie drowns and Turner and Angus die of starvation. Judd is the sole survivor and Laura meets him, but he confuses Voss with Palfreyman's death. The town puts in a memorial statue of Voss twenty years after the expedition left and Laura is there for the unveiling.
I thought it was a good ending for the novel. Voss's memorial statue made his life and death leave a bigger imprint on the town. Laura has a reminder of him, of their time together and how he affected her life. I thought was a strange way for her to look at Voss as being "safely dead." I guess she figures with him dead, she doesn't have to worry about him and pray for him, like when he was alive.
It was interesting Laura has become a math teacher and future owner of the school for girls, to educate her daughter and the other girls on how not to be "blissfully ignorant" like her cousin Belle. Though Laura does become sort of recluse and hides from society, it makes sense that she didn't need to look for future companionship, because of her connection with Voss. Once Laura was with her soul mate, nobody else could feel the void.
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