The Bone People – Analysis

The Bone People is an interesting novel authored by Keri Hulme and first published in 1984. It is a psychological story about the relationship among the three main characters in the novel and somehow, this relationship among them is paradoxical as it contains contradictory feelings and acts. The theme in the novel is developed upon loneliness, violence and abuse but at the same time, love is reflected upon in this context and it is the main message of the story. An interesting aspect of the novel is that the theme is developed upon an unstereotypical view on women. 

Kerwin Holmes, the protagonist in The Bone People, is described as isolated and alone in her tower while at the same time she is actively working to distance herself from being with people with minimal contacts with the local community. The unstereotypical view of women is revealed in the very beginning of the story when the protagonist meets Simon during the storm and she comments on his acts and his behavior in such a way that not every woman that fits into the stereotypical image of the women would do.   

“Nasty. Gnomish, thinks Kerewin. The shock of surprise is going and cold cutting anger comes sweeping in to take its place.

What are you doing here? Aside from climbing walls?’
There is something distinctly unnatural about it. it stands there unmoving, sullen and silent.” 

Furthermore, the image of the protagonist, Kerwin, is illustrated in a way that does not fit into the prevailing definitions of genders, and mainly of women. Joe was challenged trying to convince her about being a partner. Kerwin is not a lot for marriage and love and the author takes the matter to a different level by describing her as asexual which is pretty abnormal for the time of the story.

“..I was trying to make her fit my idea of what a friend, a partner was. I could see only the one way…whatever she thought she was, bend her to the idea that lovers are, marriage is, the only sanity. Don’t accept merely what she can offer, make her give and take more…”

The untraditional image of women is even presented in the protagonist’s acts, Mainly, when she uses martial acts to stop Joe from beating Simon while at the same time she beats Simon later due to his troublesome behavior. That is, not a lot of women would be able to interfere and prevent an adult male from beating a child with martial arts.