Deadly Unna?

What does the main character learn as the book progresses?
In Phillip Gwynne’s novel, Deadly Unna? the main character, Blacky learns many things as well as gaining an understanding of many important issues such as courage, belonging, tolerance of Black people (especially Aborigines) and the importance of relationships and friendships.
Throughout the progression of the book, Gary Black learns many things and changes in many ways. One of these is Gary beginning to develop a tolerance of the Aboriginal people and their culture, and then further attempting to apply it to the intolerant town in which he lives. Gary’s first step towards accepting understanding the Aboriginal people and culture was when Dumby saved him from being beaten up by Mad Dog, giving Gary Black a reason to stop “hating Dumby Red’s guts”. The only reason why Blacky hated Dumby in the first place was because he was better than him, not because the colour of his skin. From the point when Dumby rescues Blacky, Gary Black remains friends with Dumby, a friendship which later develops into Gary becoming accepted and befriending Dumby’s family and relatives. Despite Pickles’ and Dazza’s comments, Gary stays proud of his ‘different’ friends. The ki

In the novel, Gary also learns about friendships and the feeling of belonging. Gary makes many new friendships with Dumby and his relatives, who help him to understand what it’s like to feel rejected. Upon Dumby Red’s arrival at the football club, Gary immediately hated him, but not because he is racist – but because of his talent. Once Dumby Red saved Gary from Mad Dog’s grasp in Tangaratta, Blacky “stopped hating Dumby Red’s guts” and began to like him. From this point on, Gary began to learn more and more about the Aboriginal culture, as well as developing a strong friendship with Dumby and his “mob”. When Blacky’s friends test him with racial comments towards Dumby Red, Gary stands strong in his friendship, as he knows and sees values in people who are different. His friendship with Dumby helps him gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the Aborigines, and from then on Gary finds the racial jokes from the front bar “not so funny any more”. His mateship and belonging further develops when, after scared of being rejected, Gary is treated well at Dumby’s funeral and so returns the favour by getting rid of the “BOONGS PISS OFF” sign. Gary’s attendance is greatly appreciated, although his friendship with the Aborigines is made complicated by Gary’s intolerant town and cowardly father.

Courage isn’t a value which Gary began his life with, and in fact, Gary had to work extremely hard to build up the courage and maturity to do things like making conversation with Cathy. On his journey to becoming a hero, Gary faced many challenges which needed and developed his courage and maturity. The first major hurdle Blacky had to overcome was the fear of the Thumper, from Wangaroo. Overcoming his fear of the Thumper is a good sign of Gary gaining maturity. For a big part of his life, facing up to girls had been a daunting task for Gary Black. Altho