Week 9: Babylon IV. How might this apply to Gemmy?
Babylon: (Bab'y. lon.) meaning [confusion] the later name given to Babel.
Nimrod, who lived in the later part of the third millennium B.C.E., founded Babylon as man's first political empire. though Babylon became the capital of a political empire in the seventh and six centuries B.C.E., it was outstandingly prominent during its entire history as a religious centre from which religious influence radiated in many directions.
Under Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon was "a golden cup" in the hand of Jehovah to pour out indignation against unfaithful Judah and Jerusalem. (Jer 25: 15,17,18;51:7)
The parallels between Babylon and Gemmy is that Gemmy who had been living with the Aborigines for sixteen years learnt how to live off the land, as well as the sacredness of the land the tribe belonged to, and the traditions of it's people to be as one with the land. All this knowledge and more Gemmy had inside him, was ignored by the majority of town's people.
Babylon and it's political empire represents mankind's ability to govern himself, not needing the 'True God' to help them cultivate human life in peace and harmony with each other. Even the gods that Babylon radiated in many directions could not cultivate peace and harmony for all mankind. Like it or not they were all false gods, as their religions. To me the city in it's day was the capital of 'Hypocrisy'. (Compare the political power and religions of Babylon to the political powers and religions of today. Apart from technology has man's quest for bringing global peace and harmony ever worked?)
Note: Babylon the Great: should not be confused with the literal city of Babylon in Mesopotamia, which I believe Malouf is referring to.