In the novel Fly Away Peter by David Malouf, several key ideas are introduced by being associated with the natural environments that surround the central character Jim. Malouf presents ideas about the horror of war and the destructive nature of humanity, demonstrating how such aggression affects the natural environment. In doing so, Malouf creates a series of binaries or opposites, contrasting the characters and the world around them. The most extreme example of these binaries is innocence contrasted with experience, which is a predominant characteristic in the characters who interact with Jim throughout the novel. This contrast becomes evident in the natural environments (grassy, ​​mountainous environments to muddy ditches) as well as in the way the characters interact: the mutual respect of the sanctuary compared to the degradation of European battlefields. Additionally, the novel's symbolic use of birds creates a strong contrast, with Malouf switching from colorful, harmonious birds to dark images of ravens above him. In the book's three settings ("the sanctuary", the "quiet part of the front", and in the trenches), Malouf presents his key ideas through changes in the natural environment. Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay Malouf initially depicts a peaceful and beautiful natural environment: “the Sanctuary”. It is a place where Jim is happy and safe, like a second home, and through powerful images, Malouf constructs an image of paradise. This paradise is free from any evil or suffering, a clear reference to the biblical Garden of Eden. It is immediately clear that the sanctuary is a beautiful place, "the lands of this region rising gradually towards distant and immensely blue mountains", clearly using imagery to captivate the audience in Malouf's construction of a perfect place - representing Ashley and Jim's innocence. In paradise there is peace, with “each section supporting its own bird life; territorial boundaries…that the birds were free to cross, but did not do so.” This is coupled with the description of beautiful birds and has the effect of building the foundations of a powerful contrast, then identical to that of a tragedy. It is while Jim was working near the shrine that he discovers that war is breaking out, which Malouf uses to show the innocence of the young people lining up to enlist, which contrasts with the knowledge of Jim's experience. Miss Harcourt, initially described as "angry" at the idea of ​​Jim going to war, but later strives to appear indifferent about it, even to the point of reassuring him that she will "hold the fort", showing the immense concern she has for Jim. However, in terms of key ideas, it serves to show that nature is beautiful without the terrors of war tearing it apart and how it manages to maintain this beauty and peace by not allowing itself to be afflicted by human nature, which later tarnished European cities through war. ; transforming beauty into muddy and gruesome battlefields – a gradual change presented by Malouf. The next section shows Jim's life spiraling out of control as he feels the world "tilt" him towards the "mouth of hell" and occurs while the company of troops is having a time. time spent in the "quiet section of the front", serving to introduce many aspects of the plot and key ideas through the introduction of experience; a transition point between environments and sections of Jim's life, where for the first time Jim is forced to "repress his dark rage"..