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* Contents derived from the St Lucia,Indooroopilly - St Lucia area,Brisbane - North West,Brisbane,Queensland,:University of Queensland Press,1996 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
Stewart examines the role of literature in the novel, especially in relation to Sylvia's awareness of the world in which she lives. The similar themes of Rousseau, Saint-Pierre and Shakespeare (all of which Sylvia reads) are discussed and their effect on the meaning of His Natural Life is assessed.
Webby examines the different themes and content of several stage and film adaptations of His Natural Life, revealing changing attitudes to issues such as cannabalism, homosexuality and melodrama.