Sister Kate, a novel by Jean Bedford, was set during the 1870s, in Victoria, Australia. It tells the story of Kate Kelly as she progresses throughout her life, and deals with the effects of the Kelly gang on the young, romantic and loyal Kate. Through the use of language and visual imagery, this novel explores many different ideas and issues associated with relationships. Such ideas and issues include; one's first love is unforgettable, that in romantic relationships, a sense of self and identity is essential, and that relationships need love, honesty, passion, and security to succeed. Throughout the novel, one main idea that is constantly communicated is the idea that the first time a person falls in love with someone, that person will always be remembered and that they will have an everlasting impact.
             Kate Kelly's first love was Joe Byrne, and the effects of her first love on her life are clearly illustrated through her thoughts throughout the book, as well as the constant transition between the narrative point of view. Right from the beginning, we were able to see the effects of Joe on Kate's thoughts. Whenever Kate saw Joe or thought of Joe, she lost touch with reality and went into her fantasy world. A good example of this is the first time Kate set eyes on Joe, "...suddenly Joe looked up and saw me...and for a moment everything stopped....he spoke, and the world moved again...". The effect of Kate's first love lasts throughout the whole novel; from the first time, they meet to the time she commits suicide. While Joe was alive, her thoughts and fantasies could be described as somewhat healthy, however once the death of Joe occurs, her vivid dreams and thoughts become psychologically disturbing, and as she becomes more obsessed she begins to be slip from reality into her fantasy world, where Joe and her are able to communicate; "...everything will be all right, Joe has promised...Joe must come for me soon...".
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