Heritage

Bachhuber’s self-identity consistently relies on concepts of heritage, and the novel uses these dynamics to illustrate the toxic effects of oversimplifying ideas of heritage. At the beginning of the novel, Bachhuber relies on these ideas of heritage to help explain his feelings of personal isolation and generalized alienation. He has lived in Australia for his whole life, and yet he feels that he does not belong there: “I spent my entire life in Australia with the conviction that it was a mistake, that my correct place was elsewhere, located on a map with German names” (8). Due mostly to the simple fact of his last name, Bachhuber identifies with German history and culture. However, he eventually learns that he was adopted and is actually Aboriginal in descent. This discovery ultimately provides a more meaningful sense of self-identification and demonstrates how ideas of heritage, if misguided or...