The visuals and text of "The Binna Binna Man" clearly make this an Aboriginal book. The boy on the cover of the book wears a beaded necklace the colours of the Aboriginal flag and the title of the book refers to an Aboriginal spirit - the binna binna man. The narrator uses many Aboriginal words in his story telling, and throughout the book there are references to aspects of Aboriginal culture, family ties and traditions, and stories of ancestors that have been passed down through an oral tradition.
In the writing, there is a lot of slang and the narrator uses a very honest and natural tone. This helps the reader to relate to him and builds up his character. The many Aboriginal words used gives the reader an insight into the narrator's life as an indigenous boy in today's world. He is part of two cultures and his language demonstrates this.
There are many visual elements in this book that highlight the events that are told in the text. The watermark of the frog, Gundji, is a visual reminder of the presence of the frog's spirit and her voice in the narrator's mind (his conscience and guide). In contrast, he dark shadowy photographs represent the binna binna man and the fear of the narrator and others.
Humour is mainly used by the writers in contrast to sad events. For example, when Aunty Lill falls into the grave after Sister Girl's burial. This show the reader that, no matter what happens, life must go on and there is always a funny side to everything. The use of humour also engages the reader and maintains their interest in the story.
What does the story say to us all? It tells us to be ourselves and to draw on our family and traditions, which form who we are, for strength.
It also warns us not to give in to peer pressure but to be true to ourselves.
