Context - time period 1960s - period of change in broader society but it feels like rural areas may have been left behind somewhat - seen as ‘happy’ and safe spaces but the underbelly presented by Silvey shows that this type of environment was not safe or happy for many, especially those deemed outsiders or those ‘othered.’ (concepts of racism; homophobia; colonial beliefs about Aboriginals; even Charlie our protagonist is an outsider as he doesn’t fit the stereotype of masculinity around sporting prowess and so on).

Climate of intolerance is shown most obviously through Jeffrey Lu and Jasper Jones - the way many of the Corrigan folk treated both of these characters exemplifies this intolerance and blatant 'othering.' and scapegoating. Other characters show the reality that just because someone is 'seen' to be trustworthy does not make it so (many characters who are accepted in Corrigan but committing atrocious acts on the down low).

being an aboriginal person in the 1960s - 70s would have been such a hard time because there were still laws in Australia that prevented aboriginal people from having a say in what happens in the country and they were very harshly discriminated against.

the context of the novel being in the 1960 is important because the thinking surrounding aboriginal people and so many other things was quite different to what we have nowadays like how woman did all the chores and the cooking and didn't really work, how men were predominantly the more dominant and how people of other cultures and ethnicitys were seen not just aboriginals but other ones like vietnamese

They single out lots of people because of race, intelligence, and sports abilities

2: Cultural Norms and Values: The novel delves into the cultural norms of small-town life and how they shape individual behavior and community dynamics. By examining these norms, readers can better understand the characters' motivations and the societal pressures they face. This context illuminates the themes of conformity, secrecy, and the clash between personal values and societal expectations.

3: Racial Tensions: The novel addresses the marginalization of Indigenous Australians, portraying Jasper Jones as an outsider in his own community. Recognizing the historical context of racial discrimination in Australia helps readers understand the systemic barriers Jasper faces and the novel's critique of these injustices.

4: Influence of Literature and Media: The novel also reflects the influence of contemporary literature and media on its characters and themes. By understanding the literary and cultural references of the time, readers can see how they inform the novel’s narrative and its portrayal of societal issues.

5: Character Development: The social and cultural context sheds light on the characters' development and interactions. For example, Charlie Bucktin’s coming-of-age journey is influenced by the societal values and expectations of his time, making his growth and the moral dilemmas he faces more significant.

Since Corrigan is a small rural town, it is away from the big city and the more abstract ideas it holds, subjugating Corrigan to the town with closed-minded thinking. Since there are fewer people, everyone's ideas are mainly the same because it's easier to plant the seed of influence in a small backward town. They won't deviate from the town's collective ideas and thinking to avoid being singled out and shunned, so they stick with the majority and won't stand up for what's right in times of heavy injustice. The story is set in the 60s, which further amplifies Corrigan's insular thinking. Craig Silvey gives us insights into what it was like to be a person of color back in the 60s, which involved heavy discrimination, persecution, and judgment, shown through characters like Jasper and Mrs Lu. The town had created a fake perception of Jasper to single him out and use him as the scapegoat, while Mrs Lu was verbally and physically attacked by a woman who'd lost her husband in the Vietnam War that Mrs Lu had no hand in. No one helped them because to speak out against Corrigan's community means facing persecution for yourself. Both these attacks against people of color would have been very common back in the day and no one would've come to their defense.