'Human beings desire order but have to confront chaos'. How is this explored in Fly Away Peter? Fly Away Peter's binary structure enables it to explore the conflicting natures of order and chaos. The juxtaposition of ideas that threads through the novel to set up many opposites conveys to the reader the way in which human beings must confront difficulty in order to broaden their world view and enhance their journey towards self-discovery. Malouf uses the characters as vehicles for the exploration of ideas, with Jim's personal journey the focus for many themes. Jim goes from the idyllic sanctuary...
confronting the disorder in her life, has gained an enhanced perspective of the world. Wizzer, though he aids Jim's journey to self-acknowledgment, does not himself confront chaos, and is subsequently left behind. The very binary structure of the novel suggests the necessity of facing difficulties. The inevitable progression from the sanctuary to the war enforces the notion that no matter how much we desire order, we all must confront chaos. Chiefly Jim, but also Imogen, Ashley, Wizzer and the very context of the story are exemplary of Malouf's exploration of this concept through his theme, the journey of life.