In every relationship there is always a power play between the different parties involved and this determines the influence they have on each other and those around them. In “Remembering Babylon,” David Malouf uses characterization in the opening chapters to develop relationships between characters which in turn develop the plot. In developing this relationship, he attributes different characters to different positions of power. “Remembering Babylon,” is a fictional work (book) by David Malouf set in mid-19th century Australia. It centers on an English boy, Gemmy Fairley, who is abandoned in a foreign land and is raised by a group of Aboriginal people. When the white settlers reach the area, he attempts to return to the world of the Europeans. Gemmy struggles with his identity as the settler community struggles to face the fear of the unknown that he represents. David Malouf made power a theme within “Remembering Babylon” using characters and characterizations. Explore this power through identity/culture, which includes language, behavior, and race. In this essay I will explore David Malouf's use of characterization to explore the power dynamics of the characters in his book “Remembering Babylon”. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The relationship between Gemmy Fairley and the McIvor family, including Lachlan Beattie, Gemmy Fairley and then the white settler community and George Abbot, will be analyzed to demonstrate the influence of such power. When Lachlan Beattie is first introduced in the book, there is an immediate demonstration of his hunger for power. He created a game (hunting wolves) in which he kept two girls bored using “all his gift of imagination, and also his will, which was obstinate” (Malouf, 1994, p.1). A stubborn will indicates the desire for your choice to be followed by others. We see a much clearer demonstration of his drive for power when he meets Gemmy. Using his staff as a gun, after Gemmy falls helplessly at his feet, Lachlan "captures" Gemmy and takes him back to the town site. Malouf makes it clear from Gemmy's ability to speak English, as well as showing no intention of attacking, that Gemmy is perfectly harmless. “Don't shoot…I'm a Bb-British thing” (Malouf, 1994, p.3). This begs the question of why Lachlan found it necessary to capture Gemmy, rather than simply letting him run or rather lead him to the city. From Malouf's vivid description, we see that Lachlan expresses his belief of white domination over this seemingly black and white person. For Lachlan, “His power lay in your recognition of what he possessed” (Malouf, 1994, p.33). Therefore, the only means by which Lachlan is able to gain recognition and a sense of power in white settler society is through Gemmy. After Gemmy is introduced to the settlers, Malouf shows that Gemmy has a rather poor grasp of the English language and as such, is not considered an Englishman but a white Aboriginal, referring to him as “…the black white man” (Malouf, 1994, p.63). This leads to the McIvors taking in Gemmy, where a power-based relationship is established between him and the McIvor family. This is first seen in the fact that the McIvor children believe they have a right to Gemmy “They felt a right of ownership over him…” (Malouf, 1994, p. 31). Which, consequently, allows children to “…lead him around like a dog” (Malouf, 1994, p. 31). As Gemmy continues her stay with the McIvor family, she quickly realizes that “…with the pretense of weapons…. [along with the] fearful position but.