彼得·凯里的长篇小说刻画了一系列寓意澳大利亚国家认同的母亲形象。伊丽莎白是澳大利亚白人移民的母亲,象征着英国移民在澳大利亚扎根;布莱顿妈妈是澳大利亚流放犯的母亲,象征大英帝国;菲雷瑟特是澳大利亚民族主义者的母亲,象征着民族主义运动高涨时期的澳大利亚;艾伦·凯利是爱尔兰裔澳大利亚人的母亲,象征着苦难深重的殖民地澳大利亚。 Peter Carey’s novel portrays a series of mothers who symbolize Australia’s national identity. Elizabeth is the mother of an Australian white immigrant, a symbol of British immigrants taking root in Australia. Mother Brighton is the mother of an exile in Australia, a symbol of the British Empire. Freseth, the mother of an Australian nationalist, symbolizes the period of high nationalist movement Australia; Ellen Kelly is the mother of Irish-born Australians, a symbol of the deeply troubled colony of Australia.