This novel is one that is all about the concept of confronting new things, an experience through which every character goes. These confrontations can each be viewed on a broad cultural scale or, more specifically, on a personal scale relative to a character. Throughout the novel issues to do with Australia's national identity, the role of humans in a technologically advancing world and war and death are all raised by David Malouf and addressed using a variety of techniques.

The idea of Australia growing up, joining the `real world' and seeking its own national identity is one that is evident from a very early stage in the novel. The main tool for exploring this theme is Jim himself - in a way he represents Australia's naivety as a nation and Jim's journey to the war fields of Europe is a metaphor for Australia's initiation onto the global scale...