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In reference to Judith Wrights poetry as being of a unique and distinctive style, in particular Wright is well known for her use of two subjects, that being the Australian aspect where in her work she commonly relates to the old traditional style of Australias history and the harsh landscape that is well known as an Australian trait. Three examples of this distinctive style of writing is Remittance Man, South of my Days and Legend. The other of Wrights favoured topics is the Womens view or the feminist side of life, in which Wright creatively relays the way a women perceives certain aspects of a subject compared to that of a man. there is also the clear presence in all her feminist poems the indication of the womens traditional role in society today and in particular the past. Three examples of this style is Women to Man, To Another Housewife and Eve to her Daughters. Whilst all of Wrights poetry has its own way of giving the lasting impression of these two aspects, in particular the poem Remittance Man stands out clearly in my mind as one of Wrights most qualified examples of the Australian style.
Even in the opening lines of this poem there is the subtle indication of that impression that Wright so strongly feels for Australia and the people, The spendthrift, disinherited and graceless this English outcast i. e The Remittance Man, has no real class or presence of a respectable character, yet these three dishonorable words refer directly to that almost traditional idea of what the Australian man was in the past. Once it is established that this Remittance Man is not wanted in England however happily retreats to the shores of Australia and finds self contentment with this almost opposite lifestyle where he feels no judgment is put on him, no more restrictions or unacceptable behaviour that he so frequently disgraced his family with. The main ideas of this poem is the constant comparison between the cold, formal aspect of England to the harsh, laid back way of Australia, which is still a commonly perceived way that is seen today. In the first stanza the line backtracks in the summer haze gives the instant idea of the Australian landscape that shows Wrights direct idea of what she distinguishes this as. This is just the first in a numerous amount of lines that account for the typical view of Australia.
There is also a strong sense that Australia is the favoured compared to that of England, not just by the Remittance Man but in Particular through the writing Wrights opinion seems clear, which is also justified in her other Australian poems. Though England seems to have no real qualities in this poem there is also subtle criticism to the refined English culture that Australians ironically are round to be the complete opposite in manner and in the social etiquette that exists strongly in England. However once the English aspect is left behind The Remittance Man abandons his old life and is released from the formal ties he hated so much. The blind-drunk sprees were in the past and the track to escape to nowhere was everything that Australia could offer him.
Yet Wright still cleverly intervenes with his memories of shame that presented the English pale stalk of a wench which was replaced by black Marys eyes the indication of an Aboriginal. The constant contrast of the two opposites is referred to throughout the entire poem showing the powerful idea that Wright is putting to her readers. The images of the landscape are also one of Wrights strong passions that she refers to countless particularly the Australian landscape. All of Wrights Australian poems reflect the heritage and nature that is of Australia, there is also the use of the past to show the traditional role that is what our country is well known for. In particular in this poem the strong conflicting nature of England and Australia show the ironic twist that history shows that Australia was where all the convicts were deported to from England however in the Remittance Mans mind this was his ticket to paradise.
The rugged beauty of the Australian environment is where the Remittance Man finally lays to rest, That harsh biblical country of the scapegoat. Though the Remittance Man found his happiness and self satisfaction this was not seen by those of his family, in particular, the Squire his brother feels a vague sense of care for his brother that he feels has led a shameful and wasted life. This ending for the poem leaves the reader in a neutral state of mind where there is an unsureness of happiness or rather should it be questioned that this Remittance Man was a failure and never amounted to anything, however judgment of this character is of only some importance the main idea is to identify Wrights image of her faint indication through the poem that she feels more for Australia than that of England. On the other side of Wrights common topic used in her poetry as referred to earlier is her role of women, where she presents there view, there understandings of life, the feminist touch, and submissive attitudes all in contrast to that of man. Yet Wright does not always show favoritism towards her female characters they too are just as fallible as man. In which sense women are presented in what seems an unbiased way to the reader where Wright does not always attack the male characteristics.
A perfect example of this idea is the poem Eve to her Daughters where Wright once again sets the poem in the past yet uses modern implications to bring the reader through time from past to present, all this is cleverly presented in a monologue style that seems so simple yet from it derives a complex idea. That being The Fall of Man. From the beginning of the poem where there is an instant indication of someone at blame with the opening line It was not I who began it where Eve is beginning to tell her side of the story as to explain her theory as to why humans are where we are today. From the first stanza there is the strong indication of both what is seen as the male and female traits through history i. e where Adam went I was fairly contented to go showing the male dominance, and I adapted myself to the punishment: it was my life showing the submissive nature of women.
Right from the beginning starts the pattern to explain why mans ego is not one of his best qualities, Eve presents this through many examples. Once they are cast out from their perfect haven into reality ther is a strong anger felt by Adam, To him God had no right to possess this higher status until Adam develops the theory that Eden is now just an unproven dream along with God where neither can be demonstrated therefore they cannot exist. Adam has a strong resentment to the fact that the seasons changed and the game was fleet-footed. There is now a notion that Adam must satisfy his aim to rebuild his Garden of Eden and at the same time subconsciously it could be seen that he is rebuilding his ego. So from the religous figure Adam became a scientist where mechanism was the whole secret. The knowledge that he gained which presented a feeling of power only inflated his destructive ego where he created a world of central heating, domesticated animals, mechanical harvesters, combustion engines, escalators, refrigerators, and modern means of communication where at present not all creations have improved our world.
Though from all of this Eve stood by and followed Adam every step of the way, she may not have always agreed but at the same time never had the ability to stand up to Adams aggressive nature that she weakened to. Yet as history has it the modernisation's that exist to date have not satisfied Adam where the simplicity of Eden still is what Adam desires most. Yet Adam does not accept this he now believes that he understands all so therefore he must be God, however Eve puts forward that if Adam equals God and God doesnt exist then neither does Adam. Although this is all logical the male pride denies any acceptance of this theory. From Eves perspective where she is telling the daughters of the world i. e all women of the world she is questioning and also stating that it is time for women to stand up and take over, as our future if it follows pattern looks bleak.
From the last few stanzas of the poem it could now be seen as the ideas from Wrights own personal view on the matter rather than Eve. perhaps nothing exists but our faults? at least they can be demonstrated this theory is in itself a judgment of the poem which can be seen as ajugdement of man kind. The complex idea that Wright presents is not first indicated from the simple style and structure of the poem, however once it is understood that there is a strong concept and message within the reader sees the notion that Wright is putting forward all that is perfect is unproven therefore possibly never existed i. e Garden of Eden. On the whole of Wrights poetry There is a clear presence of her love for the Australian landscape in which the continuous reference to particular Australian plants only show more clearly how her strong interest for this country is what she enjoys expressing and the favoured view of females rather than that of a man.
Not that there is more criticism placed on man than women, there is simply a strong and realistic truth about what Wright shows as the role of both man and women and then the consequences that result from both their characters. Whilst the poems in particular reference The Remittance Man and Eve to her Daughters are perfect examples to express these two ideas as well as show the distinctive way that Wright presents her work.
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