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Analyzing Archie Weller's 'Herbie'

1452 Words6 Pages

Herbie essay for English Short stories are a medium through which the author can promote reflection on perspectives other than one's own, and the issues or ideals presented in them. ‘Herbie’ by Archie Weller, published in 1986, is a short story based in rural Australia that follows Davey Morne as he recounts the bullying, he subjected Herbie to, for being different as the only indigenous boy in school. During the recount he reflects on how he was one of the worst bullies and how Herbie died due to this bullying. ‘Herbie’ employs a variety of generic conventions to challenge the perspective that bullying in adolescence is normal and does not have lifelong damaging effects on the child. This is continuously shown through the violence of …show more content…

Herbie is described throughout the relentless bullying as an ‘A*o’ and ‘b**ng’ by his peers. This derogatory language is used to display the deep-rooted racism and hatred towards the aboriginal population through the connotations of the language. Terms like ‘A*o’ and ‘b**ng’ are Australian terms which are widely recognised as slurs which hold deep contempt and hatred towards the aboriginal population due to their deeply oppressive history. This language also shows the consistent ridicule that Herbie experienced for something as simple as skin colour, which will have a lasting effect on how he sees himself in the future. One time Herbie is described as ‘strip(ped) … naked ‘like a proper n****r ought to be’’ and being a ‘frightened boy.’ This descriptive and emotive diction further creates the idea of emotional lasting damage inflicted on Herbie at an early age. The use of the word ‘frightened’ insinuates that Herbie is uncomfortable and scared in the situation, but the idea that he is not fighting back or running away implies that situation like this have happened often to the young boy to the point where he no longer has the energy or will to fight back. The further derogative language of ‘n****r’ being used at a time of vulnerability being ‘naked’ and exposed further exhibits the emotional …show more content…

The consistent use of past tense verbs like ‘was,’ ‘used’ and ‘been’ help to create the knowledge that this story is a journey through memories, rather than a present tense scenario. This paired with the use of ‘we’ highlights that this story is being told from the perspective of a bully, looking back upon their actions. Moreover, the use of terms ‘guilty’ and Davey describing himself as ‘wish(ing) she could have been right about him’ effectively conveys the emotions and shame that the character feels. The use of the term ‘guilty’ connotes sadness and regret, and the use of ‘wishing’ and the idea that he is still thinking about this incident years later further proves the guilt and long-lasting effects that bullying had on the perpetrator. In addition, the effect on family is created through emotive diction and descriptive language during interactions with narrator Davey Morne. Mrs. Waranda, Herbies mother, is described as ‘look(ing) up at him with fear in her eyes’ this highlights not only the racial prejudices and power imbalances of the society but also the pain in her eyes directed towards the kids who killed her youngest child. The fact that an adult is scared of a young boy, truly shows the consistent effect bullying has to the point that Herbies mother ‘fear(s)’ the

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