Analysis Of No More Canonical Australian Poetry

“No More” Canonical Australian Poetry?

The canon of Australian Poetry, despite the so called migration of Australians to an international mindset, as postulated by John Kinsella a novelist, poet and editor, is even more relevant today in our contemporary society. Especially so is the importance of Aboriginal poetry, as it articulates the impact that the “men of a different hue”, who first appeared 228 years ago, has had on their and culture.

Throughout Australia’s post settlement history a blind eye, or rather more of a blindfold, has been turned by ordinary Australia’s towards the indigenous population. The original inhabitants of this country have suffered through the injustices of being dislocated from their own land, not just when the ‘invaders’

This poem reinforces the notion the residents of Australia were happier and better off before white settlement. The powerful impact of this poem is achieved through the frequent repetition of “no more” and “now we” and the use of alliteration. This gives the poem a sad tone over the loss of the traditions of Indigenous Australians. Additionally the use of simple English and short verses powerfully delivers the messages of the poem. It is effective in making the reader question whether any of the changes have been for the

Discounting of the value of these poems would be like ignoring the history of Bodyline when talking about the Ashes in cricket. Canonical poems act as a mirror on our identity and enable us to see where we have come from. History is a vital component of an analysis of any national identity and hopefully enables us to learn from past mistakes so as not to repeat them. In particular, many aboriginal poems explore the challenges shared with non-indigenous people. While the history of ‘white’ Australia may still be in its infancy the Indigenous Australian’s have one of the oldest cultures on Earth, and as such should form a vital part of our national identity and