Examples Of Selflessness In Australian Society

Selfishness and selflessness in Australian Society

Humans are the most selfish creatures to ever walk the earth. We can however, also be considered as the most selfless beings. The theory of nationalism and sacrifices towards the ‘greater good’ are the two leading forces behind this sense of self-value that have been present in society for centuries. The destruction of the environment for personal gain as well as the destruction of human life for the benefit of the country are examples of these forces. I am passionate about this issue because I do not believe in the carless and unnecessary waste of life or the environment. Two poems that explore these factors are A Document by Judith Wright and Beach Burial by Kenneth Slessor. Both poems focus

Much like Wrights poem, Slessor creates the message that in a time of need, such as WWII, Australians will give up their land and lives to fight for the greater good. Beach Burial emits a sombre and sad tone, rather than boasting heroism like many other war poems produced at the time. Slessor uses realistic and blunt wording to challenge the reader to create a sense of pity for those who lost their lives at the battle of El Alamein. He refers to the soldier’s nakedness in the second stanza where he writes, “to pluck them from the shallows and bury them in burrows and tread sand upon their nakedness.” This use of nakedness is not meant to be literal but rather a metaphor for human vulnerability and dignity. I find this to be the most powerful image throughout the poem and the message being conveyed is one that helps to create an image for the reader of the harsh realities of the war and how precious life is. Slessor also references to the meaning of a name in his poem. His meaning however differs from Wrights as it portrays that who you are and what your name is, is not relevant once we reach the end of the cycle of life. With regards to the war, it helps to state that “whether as enemies they fought, or fought with us, or neither; the sand joins them together”. The message I draw from this is that no matter which country one is fighting for, we are all united by the common enemy of death and that we are nameless in our sacrifices. This selfless act to join war efforts relates to the careless act of the destruction of the environment and the waste of