Integrity is clearly captured through both Clarry’s previous and present actions when he was faced with the arduous task of concealing Gerald Mortlock’s crime. Before the murder, Clarry expressed an extraordinary level of integrity towards Jimmy, an Aboriginal man, which is a unique quality to be found in Europeans of the time. When Jimmy consulted Clarry for advice on how to act concerning the dam, Clarry ‘fetched out the good teacups, the thinnest china with the ivy pattern round the rim’; his respectful attitude, earned Jimmy’s trust to protect his special items. This positions the reader to acknowledge Clarry’s essentially honourable nature. Clarry’s integrity in immediately providing the best for Jimmy is also commendable. Due to debts owed to Gerald, Clarry was forced to cover Gerald’s tracks when he murdered Jimmy. Nonetheless, Clarry still maintained his integrity by giving Jimmy a proper burial. Lacking an understanding of aboriginal culture, Clarry delivered a ‘Christian burial’ where he ‘prays for his soul’, even though it would have been better if Jimmy was buried according to his own traditions.
Battling with his notion of morality, Clarry sacrifices his integrity to protect his family and forces Sadie to become an accomplice in concealing the crime. Although he knows he should report Jimmy’s murder to the police, his ethics lead him to keep his family safe, since, ‘if it wasn’t for Gerald Mortlock, we’d be in the gutter, the lot of us’. So while Clarry keeps silent about Gerald’s misconduct, he desires to act with integrity. Another example of Clarry showing a lack of integrity is when he compels Sadie, powered by justice and innocence, to participate in concealing the evidence teaching her that acting immorally is excusable depending on the circumstances. The corruption of Sadie’s morals is evident when Clarry instructs her, “Now get along and do as I tell you”. Nevertheless, Clarry still maintains integrity through giving her the knowledge to understand his actions. This brings the reader to an understanding that Clarry is a man of good intention, but circumstances caused him to act dishonourably.
An analysis of Clarry proves that the best and worst of integrity can be shown within one person as no one can be all right or all wrong. This encourages readers, especially Australians, to reflect on the principles and idea that integrity, along with other values, is infinitely more complex than what meets the eye.
Integrity in Action | Integrity
Integrity in Action | Integrity
