In life there is nothing greater than to have someone by your side supporting you no matter what. In the novel The Secret River by Kate Grenville a strong bond is formed between the characters William and Sal Thornhill. They become a ambitious duo whilst living in London dreaming of one day escaping their poverty. However when their world is turned upside down and Will is deported to New South Wales for theft their love is put to the test. The new harsh world that is presented to the couple in Australia changes their love along with their individual ideas.William Thornhill is not the sort of character that is born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He is in one of the lowest classes of Victorian England. Sal Thornhill fell in love with William at a young age and married him quickly as well.
She is a saucy woman that faces adversity with a sense of humor and resolve. Even when disaster strikes in the form of a cold snap that freezes the Thames over the couple are still able to keep it together. After settling into Cobham Hall, the separation between William Thornhill and his wife, Sal creates a great rupture in their once perfect relationship. The lack of communication between Thornhill and Sal, generates further division between each other as Sal. Whenever Sal brings up to Will the topic of returning to London, “He let the phrase go when she used it, turning the conversation elsewhere,” this indicates that William is unable to be true to his word and feels a sense of guilt, avoiding the topic. This lack of intimacy between the two shows how much Australia has changed Will with the idea of a prosperous life overriding the promise he made to his wife.
This makes readers empathise with Sal as it is Will’s wrongdoings that landed her in the situation in thefirst place.
