The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith Study Questions & Topics for Discussion

The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith Topics for Discussion

Why do you think Jimmie committed the killings? What led him to those actions?

Based on Keneally's descriptions, compare and contrast the lives of blacks and whites at this time in Australia .

Why did it seem to matter so much that Jimmie killed women and not men?

Why do you think Jimmie returned to the Healy house to kill them? What significance did they have for Jimmie?

Discuss Jimmie and Mort's fugitive travels. What did they learn about society and themselves along the way?

Why do you think McCreadie was able to influence Jimmie? How did he help the two brothers?

Jimmie thinks that he is "blacker" working for the police. Why do you think this is? What makes him blacker at this time than when he wasn't working for the police?