The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
There is no agreement on who first invented the boomerang. Many scientists believe that boomerangs were created independently by a number of prehistoric hunting peoples because they have been found at ancient sites in Africa, Asia, Europe, Indonesia, and North America. However, the boomerang is associated most closely with the Aborigines, the original people of Australia, who use them for hunting and warfare. The boomerang is usually made from hardwood and shaped into a simple curve. It is flat on one side and convex on the other, much like airplane wings, so that it can fly far. The ones most people are familiar with, the returning boomerangs, are generally used more for sport because they are difficult to aim and catch. The nonreturning variety have less of a curve and are used more for hunting or warfare, since their spinning action causes a greater impact than that of a thrown rock or stick. A nonreturning boomerang is capable of nearly piercing a small animal in two from a distance of 400 feet (122 m).