AustLit

Hergenhan argues that The Broad Arrow must be read for its historical significance to extract the greatest benefit because the novel suffers artistically from Leakey's clear didactic purpose. The translation of Leakey's religious belief into the fictional context sets up an exploration of the difficulties of living out such a belief and religion's "restricted effectuality in practice". While recognising that the endemic abuse of power by those in control has a marked effect on the lives of female convicts, Hergenhan criticizes Leakey's characterisation of Maida Gwynnham because it makes her unlike other prisoners and therefore worthy of redemption. The novel does not reject the idea of transportation, but calls for a "kinder" form of transportation.