Australian poets have represented Australia in many different ways by considering Australia’s history and furthermore the beauty of Australia. The poem ‘My Country’ by Dorothea Mackellar focuses on the beauty of Australia, “I love a sunburnt country” and “I love her jewel-sea” are examples that Dorothea Mackellar is showing some of the beauties of Australia.
Unlike ‘We Are Going’ by Oodgeroo Noonuccal is focused more on the history of Australia, “We are nature and the past, the old ways” and “The emu and the kangaroo is gone from this place.” are examples that Oodgeroo Noonuccal is showing some of the aboriginal histories of Australia.
Dorothea Mackellar’s ‘My Country’ is a poem expressing Dorothea’s deep passion and love for her country, Australia. The whole poem’s intention seems to express Dorothea’s deep relationship and passion for her land. Dorothea Mackellar gains this response from the audience by using numerous language techniques such as Juxtaposition, personification, alliteration and assonance and imagery. The use of the first person throughout the whole poem suggests that the theme of this poem has been from her personal experience.
Dorothea Mackellar uses words that everybody can understand, but often the phrases and words have another meaning. For instance, “my homing thoughts will fly,” which tells us that she is referring to her home, and also “and opal-hearted country.” The effect used is called ambiguity. The words she uses sound romantic,
“I love her jewel-like sea,”
And the reader can picture the image she produces in their head. She shows emotion with words such as
“my country,” “My Heart,” Which represent her love and loyalty towards Australia.
About language devices used, there is a regular rhythm in the poem, which illustrates some flow of life, for example, “floating rains,” or “it’s running in your veins,” show this method consciously.
She also illustrates images through the bright colors; she introduces drapery throughout the poem. Descriptions such as
‘Sapphire,’ and ‘opal,’ which show a particular sort of uniqueness that only her love of country reflects.
On the other hand, ‘We are going’ by Oodgeroo Noonuccal, is about the aboriginal history. Oodgeroo uses powerful imagery to describe how the environment and beauty of the land changed considering the arrival of European settlers.
“We are going” ” we are nature and the past, all the old ways” describes Oodgeroo and her people with this part of the land, this maintains that the aboriginal people were the one with the ground. Oodgeroo Noonuccal also explains how she felt her people felt when the white intruders took over the sacred land.
