The Dual Symbolism of Sugar: Internal Kindness vs. External Cruelty
In Jack Davis's powerful play No Sugar, the seemingly simple motif of sugar operates on multiple levels, embodying both the internal fortitude of the Millimurra family and the brutal injustice inflicted by the external white society. Early in the play, a scene depicts Sam Millimurra adding sugar generously to mugs of tea, a simple act that powerfully symbolizes the love, warmth, and mutual care that bind the family together despite their immense suffering. This initial, generous use of sugar establishes a baseline of humanity and traditional kinship. The shared tea laced with sugar becomes a domestic ritual, a small comfort in their challenging reality, affirming their family unit against the dehumanizing forces surrounding them.
Conversely, the play's very title, No Sugar, announces the central symbolic conflict. It highlights the systemic cruelty and lack of compassion from the white 'protection' authorities, such as the negligent Mr. Neal. The ration system, which becomes increasingly meager during the Great Depression, eventually removes sugar entirely. This absence is not merely a shortage of a household item; it is a profound symbol of the deliberate, institutionalized neglect and malice towards the Nyoongah people. The lack of sugar is a tangible representation of the sweetness—the empathy, justice, and decency—that is denied to them by the state.
Sugar as a Marker of Well-being and Deprivation
Throughout the narrative, sugar acts as a barometer for the Aboriginal population's well-being. At the play's start, while still on their ancestral land near Northam, the Millimurra family enjoys a small measure of autonomy and can still share sweetened tea, symbolizing their intact community. However, as the play progresses and they are forcibly relocated to the appalling conditions of the Moore River Native Settlement, their rations are stripped away. A poignant scene sees the Indigenous characters singing an altered hymn, lamenting that there is "no sugar in our tea". This moment directly links their escalating dispossession and hardship to the physical deprivation of this basic luxury. The scarcity of sugar underscores the systemic impoverishment designed to control and demean them. It is a tool of control, making the Indigenous people dependent on a system that is designed to fail them.
The Allure of False 'Sweetness'
Jack Davis also utilizes the symbol of sugar to comment on the deceptive nature of white society's promises. Mr. Neville's condescending advice to Jimmy, "sugar catches more flies than vinegar," is a cruel irony, suggesting that humility and deference will lead to better treatment. This phrase, a common expression, is used here to manipulate and gaslight. The 'sweetness' offered by the authorities is a lie, a false promise of assimilation that only serves to perpetuate the cycle of oppression. The Millimurra family learns that there is no true 'sugar' in their dealings with the white authorities, only the bitter taste of broken promises and exploitation.
Comparing Symbolic Meanings: Sugar vs. Quandongs
To fully grasp the symbolism of sugar, it is helpful to compare it with other elements in the play. The Quandong, a native Australian fruit, serves as a natural counterpoint to the manufactured sweetness of sugar.
| Symbolic Element | Symbolism in No Sugar | Significance | Connection to Indigenous Culture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar | White kindness, empathy, warmth (internally); Systemic neglect, cruelty, indifference (externally) | Represents the duality of experience for the Millimurra family; both the love they create and the brutal deprivation they face. | Introduced by the white colonial society, its presence or absence is a marker of external control. |
| Quandongs | Native food, traditional life, bitterness of oppression | Symbolizes the traditional Indigenous way of life and the bitterness of their current state. A simple comfort from nature. | Represents a reliable, natural connection to the land and a food source distinct from the inadequate government rations. |
This table highlights the stark contrast between the two. Quandongs, though bitter, are a part of the Indigenous tradition and landscape. Their potential for sweetness requires 'sugar,' but the colonizers have removed that access, leaving only bitterness.
Conclusion: The Resilient Spirit of 'No Sugar'
Ultimately, the pervasive symbolism of sugar in No Sugar serves as a powerful commentary on the systematic dispossession and dehumanization of Indigenous Australians. The title itself is a statement of fact: kindness and care are absent from the colonizers' treatment of them. Yet, the play is not without hope. The initial scenes of the Millimurra family sharing their generously sugared tea, and their enduring resilience in the face of brutal conditions, remind the audience that sweetness and warmth can still be found within their own community. The family's enduring love for one another, symbolized by the remembered taste of sugar, is a form of cultural resistance and survival that the authorities can never extinguish. By denying them a simple luxury, the colonial powers inadvertently emphasize the deep, enduring value of the kindness they continue to cultivate among themselves. For more insight into Australian history, see the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
