Bruce Dawe

Bruce Dawe once said “I write out of a concern for things that are going on around me.” This is evident throughout his writings in ‘Sometimes Gladness Dawe combine humour and seriousness regarding the contemporary Australian society around him. The particular values held by Australian individuals really bother Dawe “a pure unadulterated fringe of sky, littered with stars no one has got around to fixing up yet.” Dawe portrays Australian society as a consumer society who is always demanding more like the stars not being bright enough. Dawe consistently focuses on the smaller picture of life to show to the reader his frustration and amusement of the cycle of life.

Dawe expresses his amusement in ‘Life-cycle’ in a satirical manner suggesting football with its rituals such as, “hot pies and potato-crisps they will eat” and heroes like “Chicken Smallhorn.” has replaced religion as a central focus for many Australians. Dawe through the ‘life-cycle’ as the title suggests of a footy fanatic.

Dawe often adopts satire and irony to expose a range of sentiments about life. He presents an obvious disapproval of war the Australian involvement as evidences in ‘Homecoming’ and the global implications a presented in ‘Santa Cruz.’ The predisposition for individual’s to become materialistic is highlighted with negative, criticism in ‘Enter without so much as knocking.’ On a lighter note Dawe’s warm heartened observation of the almost religious Australian commitment to football is both appealing and in some respects amusing. There can be no doubt that Dawe’s poems provoke thought and reflection about the human condition.

‘Enter without so much as knocking’ in some ways is a contrasting piece to ‘Life-cycle.’ Where instead of satire Dawe adopts a cynical stance as he criticises a superficial society. He paints a picture of people caught up in a life cycle full of “money hungry,” “backstabbing,” “godless,” individuals. Dawe highlights the negative impact of materialism on...