Characters
WOUTER LOOS
Wouter Loos is one of the nine murderers that were aboard the Batavia that sunk of the coast of W.A. He, along with young murderer Jan Pelgrom, was cast away onto the coast of West Australian coast where he was expected to survive off the hostile country, as punishment for his crimes. In his writing, Wouter Loos portrays himself as a likeable man who was wronged by his unfortunate fate and unfairly ‘accused’ of horrific crimes. Loos claims that his action had always “been for the good,” and that he had been misunderstood.
Loos is represented as being very much a capitalist, as his first thoughts upon arriving in Australia are to trade with the “black Indians.” Loos is repeatedly perceived as intelligent and logical unlike his unusual companion, as he is continuously attempting to impress and make peace with the Aboriginal people as he realises that is his only hope for survival. Wouter is not racist and doesn’t discriminate against the Aboriginal people, but instead accepts their help, as he doesn’t see himself as superior to them.
The character of Wouter Loos is described as being stocky in appearance, with a typical Dutch build, having dark curly hair, and not reasonably tall.
Nigel Kratzman, another character from the novel Strange Objects by Garry Crew, shares all of these characteristics and traits, as well as sharing many key actions. This is why Wouter Loos and Nigel Kratzman are considered to be one of the character pairs in this book.
Loos is represented as being very much a capitalist, as his first thoughts upon arriving in Australia are to trade with the “black Indians.” Loos is repeatedly perceived as intelligent and logical unlike his unusual companion, as he is continuously attempting to impress and make peace with the Aboriginal people as he realises that is his only hope for survival. Wouter is not racist and doesn’t discriminate against the Aboriginal people, but instead accepts their help, as he doesn’t see himself as superior to them.
The character of Wouter Loos is described as being stocky in appearance, with a typical Dutch build, having dark curly hair, and not reasonably tall.
Nigel Kratzman, another character from the novel Strange Objects by Garry Crew, shares all of these characteristics and traits, as well as sharing many key actions. This is why Wouter Loos and Nigel Kratzman are considered to be one of the character pairs in this book.
Steven MESSENGER
Steven Messenger is the main character of the book. He is described as a small, weak, and towards the end, a murderer. Steven is a tidy, very ordered person that becomes the owner of the ring and soon changes him. Messenger begins to vision himself as someone he wants to be, James Dean looking, smart and a cool person. Due to Messenger visions, he has believed to be schizophrenic. “It got so bad I couldn’t tell what was real exactly” this quote suggests that he couldn't tell dreams from reality.
Messenger and Pelgrom are seen as two very similar characters as they are pale and thin, they have murdered people, they aren’t really independent and need someone to look after them and they are both crazy to some extent.
Messenger and Pelgrom are seen as two very similar characters as they are pale and thin, they have murdered people, they aren’t really independent and need someone to look after them and they are both crazy to some extent.
Nigel Kratzman
Nigel Kratzman, more commonly known as Kratz, was a student at Hamelin High. He is described by a fellow student as “boss-boy,” due to him often issuing directions and acting in charge.
In the novel, Kratz acts as Steven Messenger’s companion, as he is often helping with Messenger’s peculiar endeavors. Like Wouter Loos, it is Kratz who acts as peacemaker between the Aboriginal people, and he and Messenger. Kratz is not depicted as seeing himself as superior to the Aboriginal people, and is willing to talk to them and help them.
Kratz is also portrayed as a capitalist through his interests. Gary Crew the author has written Kratz to have talent in industrial areas such as mechanics, as well as having an interest in trucks and other vehicles. At the end of the novel it is stated that he leaving to the south where he will “enroll in a Tech. School course in mechanics.” These is what makes Kratzman fall into the category of a capitalist as he is very much industry/trade oriented.
Nigel Kratzman is described as being stocky in appearance, having dark curly hair, and not reasonably tall.
Both Wouter Loos and Nigel Kratzman have very similar views towards both violence, and the Aboriginal people. They both express interest in industry and trade making them capitalists as well, plus they are even described as looking the same. Because of these clear similarities, Kratz and Loos are said to be Character pairs in the novel.
In the novel, Kratz acts as Steven Messenger’s companion, as he is often helping with Messenger’s peculiar endeavors. Like Wouter Loos, it is Kratz who acts as peacemaker between the Aboriginal people, and he and Messenger. Kratz is not depicted as seeing himself as superior to the Aboriginal people, and is willing to talk to them and help them.
Kratz is also portrayed as a capitalist through his interests. Gary Crew the author has written Kratz to have talent in industrial areas such as mechanics, as well as having an interest in trucks and other vehicles. At the end of the novel it is stated that he leaving to the south where he will “enroll in a Tech. School course in mechanics.” These is what makes Kratzman fall into the category of a capitalist as he is very much industry/trade oriented.
Nigel Kratzman is described as being stocky in appearance, having dark curly hair, and not reasonably tall.
Both Wouter Loos and Nigel Kratzman have very similar views towards both violence, and the Aboriginal people. They both express interest in industry and trade making them capitalists as well, plus they are even described as looking the same. Because of these clear similarities, Kratz and Loos are said to be Character pairs in the novel.
Charlie sunrise
Charlie Sunrise is an elderly Aboriginal who is a local in Geraldton. He knows things about the land and culture that is not shared fully. Messenger feels scared of Charlie because he is unaware about how much he knows, and is worried of the "potential stalker". He encounters racism from Steven and is later killed by him, de lining all potential answers about ring's history etc.
Jan Pelgrom
Jan Pelgrom is the character pair of Steven Messenger. As described by Maxwell Futcher, Pelgrom is a psychopath who lacks any guilt in killing and being violent towards people or animals. Throughout Wouter Loos’ journal account, Pelgrom is described as threatening, violent and difficult to be around. The entire reason why Pelgrom was cast away was for him to atone for the atrocities he committed on the wreck of the Batavia. Pelgrom’s psychopathic behaviors include, murder, rape, and his need to please his murderous leader, Jeronimous Cornelius.
As Loos’ story develops, Pelgrom appears to fall deeper and deeper into insanity, and is eventually described as possessing supernatural abilities, until finally he kills young Ela, and is then never seen again. Quite often Pelgrom is described as having a glowing head, or halo affect at intense moments, something he shares with character pair Steven Messenger.
Jan Pelgrom is depicted as a tall but scrawny young man, still in his late teens with fair skin and hair. Throughout the novel he is often mentioned to have a cough or illness that progressively worsens. Towards the end of the novel Pelgrom is said to float, posses unnatural strength, and be untouchable. All these characteristics Steven Messenger also possesses.
Unlike Loos, Pelgrom makes no effort in making peace with the Aboriginal People, remaining hostile towards them, despite their help. Pelgrom greatly fears the Aborigines, as well as discriminating them and showing no interest in being with them. Once again, Messenger also shares this racism.
As Loos’ story develops, Pelgrom appears to fall deeper and deeper into insanity, and is eventually described as possessing supernatural abilities, until finally he kills young Ela, and is then never seen again. Quite often Pelgrom is described as having a glowing head, or halo affect at intense moments, something he shares with character pair Steven Messenger.
Jan Pelgrom is depicted as a tall but scrawny young man, still in his late teens with fair skin and hair. Throughout the novel he is often mentioned to have a cough or illness that progressively worsens. Towards the end of the novel Pelgrom is said to float, posses unnatural strength, and be untouchable. All these characteristics Steven Messenger also possesses.
Unlike Loos, Pelgrom makes no effort in making peace with the Aboriginal People, remaining hostile towards them, despite their help. Pelgrom greatly fears the Aborigines, as well as discriminating them and showing no interest in being with them. Once again, Messenger also shares this racism.
Photo used under Creative Commons from Fabtograph