in the secret river in chapter london why character collarbone got executed?
In "The Secret River" by Kate Grenville, the character Collarbone is mistakenly executed by the British authorities in London. The incident occurs in Chapter 18, "London: The Exile's Return."
Collarbone, whose real name is Long Jack, is an Indigenous Australian man who served as a guide and companion to the main character, William Thornhill, during his time as a convict in New South Wales. When Thornhill returns to London to seek his fortune, he brings Collarbone along with him.
However, in London, Collarbone becomes a target of racism and discrimination. As an Indigenous person in a foreign land, he is seen as an outsider and is treated with prejudice by the British authorities. In an unfortunate encounter, Collarbone is wrongfully accused of theft and subsequently executed.
Collarbone's execution serves as a reflection of the deep-seated racism and injustice prevalent in the colonial era. The incident underscores the harsh realities faced by Indigenous individuals and the systemic discrimination they faced both in Australia and abroad.