Poetic devices (LFFs) Analysis-Table - South Of My Days Judith Wright
Name: ________________
FILL-IN THE BLANK SPACES!
Quote
“South of my days’ circle, part
of my blood’s country, /”
Name of the language techniques (LFF)
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Symbolism
Repetition of singular pronoun and
possessives
Metaphor
Irony
What is the effect of using the technique? + link to representation of
“People & Landscapes”
The “circle” symbolizes the cycle of life… which can represent not
just the cycle of human life – but the water cycle – the cycle of
seasons – and even the cycle of the “food chain”. The directional
noun “South” symbolizes the foundation (background/ “under”)
which lies beneath the persona’s past experiences.
The metaphor of “blood’s country” creates a powerful image of
the persona’s intensely personal relationship with the landscape.
The metaphor challenges a dominant white-Australian reading of
the poem which supports the cultural value that people own the
land. Ironically, Wright challenges this value by implying that the
country is “part of” the persona’s blood and, therefore, cannot
actually be owned.
From a ___________________________ perspective, the
symbolism of “blood’s” could also represent:
______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________.
The repetition of the possessive nouns and pronoun in “my days
circle” and “my blood’s country” represent the persona’s strong
sense of ownership with their past and their country. The
repetition of the singular pronoun “my” (as opposed to “our” or
“their”) highlights that the persona is expressing deeply personal
and individual values. Wright’s use of symbolism and the personal
voice develop notions of romanticism which clearly represent her
values of individualism and the power of nature.
Quote
“rises that tableland, high
delicate outline /
of bony slopes wincing under
the winter,”
“The creek’s leaf silenced, /
Name of the language techniques (LFF)
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CUMULATIVE IMAGERY - “rises
tableland / high delicate / bony slopes”
METAPHOR – bony slopes
Visual imagery
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ALLITERATION
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SYMBOL = “SILENCED” = no
movement  no life
INVERSION – The creek has been
silenced by the leaves. The Willow
has choked the native leaves and the
creek.
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willow-choked, the slope a tangle
of medlar and crabapple /”
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Possessive noun “creek’s”
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VERNACULAR – “creek” establishes
the landscape as Australian
Imagery – “tangle”
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SYMBOLISM – “willow” “medlar”
“crabapple”  introduced species of
trees have “silenced” the creek
What is the effect of using the technique? + link to representation of
“People & Landscapes”
The cumulative imagery of “rises” ‘high” and “slopes” creates a
visual image of the elevated and the mountainous landscape of
“that tableland” in northern NSW. The metaphor of “bony
slopes” creates a sense of the sharp rocks dominate the steep
landscape. The visual imagery represents a fragile (delicate), steep
and rocky landscape that is devoid of people. The lack of human
life implies a harsh and treacherous environment. The imagery
culminates with the personification of the landscape as it
“winces” under winter. The preposition “under” represents the
oppressive effect of the winter. The imagery reflects romantic
values of the great power of nature.
The possessive noun and vernacular “creek’s” establishes an
Australian stream which has been “willow-choked”, causing its
native vegetation and flow of water to be “silenced” and
damaged. The inversion interrupts the natural flow of the words
and images – which positions the reader to connect more closely
with the creek and further symbolizes the effect of the introduced
English species of “willow”. The symbolism of the “willow” as
being an imposter on the landscape is further emphasized by the
symbolism of the non-native trees “medlar and crabapple” which
create a “tangle” on the “slope”. The imagery of represents the
“tangle” as being a barrier and obstacle to the native landscape. A
post-colonial reading signifies the “willow”, “medlar” and
“crabapple” as the invading British colonists and their power over
the landscape.
Quote
“in a wave of rambler roses,/
thrust its hot face in here to
tell another yarn”
Name of the language techniques (LFF)
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“Seventy years of stories he
clutches round his bones./
Seventy summers are hived in
him like old honey”
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What is the effect of using the technique? + link to representation of
“People & Landscapes”
ALLITERATION
ASSONANCE
SYMBOL (WAVE OF RAMBLER ROSES)
PERSONIFCATION OF “THE SUMMER”
VERNACULAR – ESTABLISHES IT AS
BEING AUSTRALIAN
IMAGERY OF “THRUST”  FORCEFUL –
IT’S THE LANDSCAPE (SUMMER) THAT’S
ABOUT TO TELL THE STORY.
The alliteration and assonance develops a rhythm which represents the
creeping roses. The symbolism of the “rambler roses” continues the
representation of introduced species and culture on the native
landscape. The emotive imagery of “thrust” implies the ___________
___ __________________ power of the cycle of the seasons (summer).
The personification of summer’s “______________” and the vernacular
in “tell another yarn” creates _______________ imagery of a long, hot
Australian summer. Through highly symbolic language, Wright continues
romantic values of the power of nature.
Repetition (seventy)
Sibilance (“S”)
Simile
Emotive language “clutches”
The repetition of the “seventy” stamps the age of an identified man,
________. The sibilance develops a ________________ which adds a
lyrical tone to the image of ___________ and the sound of the stories.
The simile “______________________________” uses ”honey” to
________________________ the sweet and enduring memories of
summer. The memories are meticulously “hived” (and saved) within Dan
– making his very psyche and identity (his “being”) a direct reflection of
his _______________________ with seventy summer landscapes. The
romantic notion of the enduring power of nature is continued though
Wright’s symbolism.
Landscapes / hived around him like old honey / “Dan” / symbolize / rhythm / connection / “hot face” / summer / forceful and
unstoppable / sensory