POETRY LOG- AUSTRALIA 1970 by Judith Wright
Type of poem
This poem appears to be a ballad because of its song-like quality that is
supplemented with narration in short quatrains.
Background of the
poet
Judith Wright is an environmentalist and a campaigner for indigenous land
rights.
Most of her poems reflect her anxiety about the disappearing landscape.
Subject Matter
Wright artistically expresses her frustration and bitterness towards the
Australian population due to its failure to be mindful about the diminishing
environment. She hails elements of nature to die fighting and never
succumb to the selfish opposition of the human race.
Form and Structure
The poem is organised in 6 quatrains, each quatrain being a stanza.
Enjambment- the run of lines suggests continuity of thought as Wright
expresses her bitterness and anger. This element effectively displays the
unending nature of these emotions.
Caesura- “Die, wild country,”- This intensifies the suspense and drama at the
start of the poem thus giving it a theatrical feel. I believe this elevates the
poet’s irony in encouraging nature to “die” yet she is endeavouring to save
it.
Irregular lineation- The varying line lengths echo the poet’s frustration and
anger towards the inability of her counterparts to recognise the urgency of
environmental degradation.
Syntactic Parallelism- The first and third stanza employ similar parallelism
and caesura
Analogy- “like the eagle hawk”, “like the tiger snake”, “like the ironwood”These creatures and plants are all indigenous to Australia and are
characterised as dominant, powerful and mighty. Her comparison of death
to this creatures highlights the idea that nature should not gradually
diminish in resignation but rather die fighting.
Paradox, satire- “I praise the scoring drought, the flying dust, the drying
creek”- It is paradoxical that Wright appreciates nature for its continual
downfall. In this manner, she mocks her audience in bitter sarcasm, in an
effort to urge them to take action and realise their contribution to the
exacerbation of environmental decline.
Metaphor- “venoms that we make”- establishes a comparison between
human actions and the toxicity of venom hence depicting not only the
negative implications of our actions on the environment but also the nearing
demise that our negligence will eventually cause if we don’t take action.
Figurative Language
and Style
Apostrophe- The poem is addressed to a non-human entity, nature as
though it is a human being. This elevates the poet’s passion and activism.
Collective pronouns – “we and our” in fourth stanza- reveals her
acknowledgement of her contribution to the degradation of nature.
Rhyme Scheme and
Meter
Themes
Irregular rhyme scheme and no identifiable meter due to the varying line
lengths.
I believe the inconsistencies in musicality and rhythmical quality mirror
nature’s endeavours to heal from the venoms of human action and return to
its normal course but it is constantly poisoned even more due to human
negligence and selfishness.
Environmental Degradation- Our environment is continually degrading due
to human action. If we do not change now, then this agonizing process will
heighten thus endangering the wellbeing of the human species at large.
Tone and Mood
Frustrated and vociferous (forceful) tone
The tone is damning and threatening in the first 3 stanzas as she
encourages nature to curse its captor.
Mood- pressing and exasperated- “pressing” to revel the urgency of the
situation.
Personal Thoughts
and Feelings
All in all, a bold reflection of true activism that dares to expose the
selfishness and negligence of mankind as regards to the environment that
surrounds us- incredibly moving and striking.