An Analysis of the Poems of Gwen Harwood - 971 Words

The poetry of the revered Gwen Harwood is demonstrative of time enduring ideas that thereby craft her work memorable and durable irrespective of time and place. This premise derives from the principle concern of Harwood’s writings; an examination of the nature of human existence and all of its many constituents. Harwood’s poetry thus pertains to the internally triggered or inherent component of the values and attitudes of the individual. Dictated by the fundamental conditions of the human psyche, the nature of such a component is invariable and thereby sturdy over time. It is therefore through an exploration of the establishment, development and maturation of the inherent that Harwood’s poetry may be deemed interminable. ‘Triste Triste’,†¦show more content†¦Triggered by a deliberation of the life-giving quality of her own mother, Harwood’s tribute a characterised by a universality in expression. As asserted by Stephanie Trigg ‘ (the poem) traces the continuity of language with the mother’s body, the ‘guileless milk of the word’’. This proposition draws on Helene Cixous’ theory of ‘ecrtiure feminine’ or the supposition that women ‘can and do’ write from their own bodies, the ‘mother milk’ or ‘white-ink’ of women’s voices. Curvaceous and domestic imagery dispersed throughout - ‘monkey bosom’, ‘lemur breast’, ‘heads inclining’ and the thematic conceit of material of note - is indicative of this. A communal means of expression thus corroborates this common and transcendent experience of existence. Further, ‘the guileless mild of the word’ serves as a biblical allusion to the formative word of God, forging an affiliation between the creative faculty of God and the fruitful function of the mother; a channel for the replenishing energy of Christ. ‘Father and Child’ yields an examination of the extraordinary evolution from innocence to experience. Accordingly, the poem exemplifies the antithesis of ignorance and understanding; Barn Owl is emblematic of the former and his or her first advance toward the latter whilst Nightfall is representative of the latter, continuing upon the interminable path toward unmitigated self-knowledge. Pertaining to Barn Owl, an incident isShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Gwen Harwood s Poem, At Mornington979 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout Gwen Harwood’s Selected Poems, Harwood continually seeks to examine the many different faces of human nature, which have been heavily influenced by her experiences as a child, a woman and in the moments prior to her death. Her poems explore and reveal the power of reminiscence and memories, rebellion against authority, as well as the idea of mortality, which are illustrated by many of Harwood’s different personas. In some of Harwood’s poems, the persona demonstrates that memory canRead MoreAnalysis Of Gwen Harwood s Anthology Of Selected Poems1929 Words   |  8 Pagesuniversal emotions of both sadness and delight is central to Gwen Harwood’s anthology of Selected Poems. This Australian poet often uses her personal journey towards self-knowledge and experience of growing up to comment on universal aspects of raw, uncensored life experiences. She aims to convey the idea that motherhood is a difficult experience for many women who resent the way they are forced to abandon their individuality and careers. Harwood also illustrates the sadness in the loss of innocence andRead MoreGwen Harwood1749 Words   |  7 Pagesreligion and language, Gwen had many early influences in her childhood that were clearly going to have an effect on her later life. Gwens family had strong connections with music and it became a very important part of her life, causing her to aspire to become a musician . Gwens grandmother introduced her to poetry and she began to write her own in the 1950s. Soon after, she learnt the German language to establish a wider reading of poetry and involve the language in her own works. Gwen married a linguistRead MoreIn the Park Analysis948 Words   |  4 PagesIn the park written by Gwen Harwood, was originally written under a male pseudonym. The poem represents the idea of changing identity because of certain circumstances as well as challenging common ideas, paradigms and values beliefs which is commonly held amongst mothers in today’s society. Harwood wrote the poem with relatively simple composition techniques but it provides a rather big impact which helps to give an insight into the life of a mother or nurturer which bares the burdens of childrenRead MoreEssay In The Park Analysis948 Words   |  4 PagesIn the park written by Gwen Harwood, was originally written under a male pseudonym. The poem represents the idea of changing identity because of certain circumstances as well as challenging common ideas, paradigms and values beliefs which is commonly held amongst mothers in today’s society. Harwood wrote the poem with relatively simple composition techniques but it provides a rather big impact which helps to give an insight into the life of a mother or nurturer which bares the burdens of childrenRead MoreAnalysis Of Gwen Harwood s The Violets 1450 Words   |  6 PagesPoetic techniques displayed through the ideas, poetic features and style of the poet, reveal concepts which transcend time and place. In Gwen Harwood’s poem â€Å"the violets† her ability to interweave past and present emphasises the importance of memory in preserving ones journey though the universal experiences of growth, maturity and mortality. Similarly the poem â€Å"Mother who gave me life† demonstrates the memory of motherhood as a timeless quintessential part of the human condition. And lastly In Harwood’sRead MoreAnalysis Of My Father s Axe 802 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"My Father’s Axe†, â€Å"In the Park†, and â€Å"Her Kind† Identity A nalysis Weland La The composer of My Father’s Axe, Tim Winton, explores the universal themes of male identity in the modern age, throughout his short story. He utilises many relatable scenarios throughout his short story which conveys the stereotypical male identity in today’s society. â€Å"Jamie says he doesn’t know where the axe is and I believe him; he won’t chop wood anymore. Elaine hasn’t seen it; it’s men’sRead MoreHarwoods Poetry - a Valediction, Father and Child and the Violets1477 Words   |  6 PagesWhat meaning have you derived from Harwood’s poetry? Refer to 3 poems and include theoretical readings. The very essence of postmodernism states that meaning is provisional. The meaning that Gwen Harwood imbued in her poems may not necessarily be the meaning that we as responders ‘draw out’ from the poem. Harwood’s poetry is a product of her own historical, social, cultural and personal context and any subsequent reading is done by responders with their own unique set of circumstances. These new