Discussion of the ways in which fear, either real or imagined, affects relationships in David Malouf's representation of an early colonial settlement in 'Remembering Babylon'.

Regardless of whether a threat is real or imaginary, fear affects an individual. In David Malouf's novel Remembering Babylon, fear affects the individual and consequently the relationships that the characters involve themselves in. Fear can be the starting point or ending point of a relationship, or both, and can also bring fluctuations during the course of a relationship. Some relationships that are affected by fear in Remembering Babylon include those between Gemmy and the settlers, …

…mind. This fear is real for the character, and pressures them into doing things that are not necessarily logical, such as lighting a fire or abandoning a friendship. Malouf's representation of early colonial settlement is a breeding ground for fear. This fear has awesome repercussions within the relationships of Remembering Babylon. Through his representation of changing relationships, Malouf shows that the unknown breeds fear, and fear breeds contempt, the effects of which cannot be undone.