Theme Of In The Park By Gwen Harwood

Australian Poetry - Loneliness
About one third of Australians suffer from the sorrow of loneliness. The irony is that, just as much as we can be alone without feeling lonely, we can feel it even if we're not alone. We crave connection and yet it is all too easy to stay lost in loneliness. Loneliness themed poetry expresses that sad feeling of being alone, either literally, having lost all companions, or emotionally, being with others, but not feeling that genuine, fulfilling connection. Through deconstructing the poetic devices featured in ‘In the Park’ by Gwen Harwood and ‘Lonely Soul Dance,’ readers experience both kinds of loneliness. Gwen Harwood’s Poem, ‘In the Park’ challenges readers to focus on motherhood and the role of women, especially

Although we’ve already discussed this in class- let’s recap a little. The title of the poem strikes us with images of a peaceful place filled with people and laughter. But Harwood contradicts these assumptions and challenges them by portraying the negative effects of love in motherhood. Harwood is presenting a critical perspective on the expectations placed on women in a culture based on patriarchal values. This poem reflects the demanding nature of motherhood, financial, romantic and intellectual sacrifices and physical exhaustion. It offers an insight to Australia during the 1960s, when there was a sharp contrast between the freedoms being granted to women compared with those of men. Before then, it was often assumed that a married woman's place was 'in the home'. A whole life gone by in a few lines, and in the end, a single line, you can read it and reread it. It loses no punch and leaves you contemplating the entire

And definitely not someone she once loved. But when they do meet they are both confined to play their part in the conversation and restrain themselves to the prescribed, polite script of society: to praise the joys of motherhood. Despite what they really both think. Harwood has created contrasting Diction: What the man and woman say is the opposite of what they think. Which is evident in the man’s false politeness: “How nice” “Time holds great surprises” really it contrasts against his true thoughts: “But for the Grace of God…” and his “departing smile”. Readers can identify his true feelings, and how glad he is that his life took a different direction. Even the woman’s false politeness: “It’s so sweet to hear their chatter, watch them grow and thrive,” contrasts against her true thoughts, really believing that her children have “eaten [her] alive”.