Summative Entry

Australian Literature helps me to expand the boundaries of my own experience.

I have always been a great lover of writing and poetry. I believe there is nothing more wonderful than discovering something that someone perceives as formless or plain and blessing it with the beauty of the breath. Describing the once ordinary object with such affection and creativity that it transforms into something of great majesty, and you can never look at it the same.

It has been a privilege this semester exposing myself to new authors and their unique styles of writing, while also learning so much about our Nation’s history that I didn’t know before. Though I am an avid reader, I have never explored readings by Australian authors. I believe by enrolling into this unit, I have been able to expand the boundaries of my own experience. By immersing myself in Australian literature I have been able to grow as a critical thinker (which can be challenging when creativity constantly calls) and to write fearlessly.

I really enjoyed exploring works by Indigenous Australian authors and was moved at hearing the voices of those who were quite often silenced. You grow to feel an overwhelming sense of compassion and sadness towards Indigenous Australians. You realise how their inextricable connection to the land, their culture and identity was tarnished during the colonial period, and how these injustices have had a lasting effect on Aboriginal communities today.

That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott was such an engrossing book to explore. I found it fascinating to read about Australia’s past and what it may have been like for both Indigenous Australians and colonisers during such a time of vast changes and new interactions.

There were many heartfelt writings by Indigenous and colonial authors who explored the exquisite Australian landscape and the changes that were brought upon it. However, among my favourites were Lisa Bellear, Judith Wright and Oodgeroo Noonuccal; perhaps because their writings appealed to me emotionally. I feel these authors were able to expand my consciousness and allowed me to see and understand the things that cause humans joy and suffering. Their poetry was a vehicle for transmitting the stories and experiences of Aborigines and reflected upon the emotions and character of society. Being able to relate to these literary pieces allowed me to write more naturally and fearlessly. I am inspired by the courage demonstrated in these poems and therefore feel a spark of fortitude and creativity to write my own, such as my week 3 blog, A sonnet on self-love.

Australian literature has renewed my appreciation for nature and the beautiful world in which we inhabit. Through reading about the injustices that so many people faced every day, I feel eternally grateful to be able to express my opinions and to have so much freedom in my own country. This unit has helped me to expand the boundaries of my own experience by appreciating the freedom and feeling that comes with writing. It has allowed me to analyse a text and to think critically about why it’s the way it is such as style, word choice and structure and what is it trying to evoke.

This semester I learnt that language is meaningless if it doesn’t create a spark inside and make you feel something. The readings in this unit allowed me to feel an array of emotions and to express my creativity and for that I am grateful. Creativity is such an important part of who I am and I’m thankful that I got to share that part of myself with you all.

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https://www.google.com.au/search?q=literature+gifs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig3YXxkZLeAhVWTn0KHXfpDWgQ_AUIDigB&biw=1433&bih=634#imgrc=ZmVWHIgoCzOyYM:

Peer Review- Laura Nash

Hi Laura,

May I just say what a fascinating piece of writing you have produced. I really love how you have taken Judith Beveridge’s ‘How to love Bats’ and changed it to tell the story of something you love, Wolves. I really admire the form and style in which you have chosen to write. I recall Judith saying how young writers tend to end their lines at the natural grammatical breaks, however, poetry enjoys the break that comes unexpectedly. I can see that you have in fact adopted this in your writing and I emphatically believe that in doing so, it makes your poem so much more engrossing as you eagerly wait and question the ending.

I really like how you have also incorporated auditory and olfactory imagery into your poem. “Listen to the crunch of leaves” and “Stop to smell a buttercup.” This helps the reader create an image in their mind and allows them to feel like they are part of the story.

Your ability to describe the wolves, their mannerisms and the environment in which they roam so eloquently are what really makes your poem so fantastic, “blood loving tongue lolling” is just one example that stood out to me.

There was only one tiny grammatical suggestion I found in your poem which was in the line “Listen, guttural how of longing, domination and belonging.” Your sentence here contains a series of three or more words, phrases or clauses so you can consider inserting a comma before ‘and’ to separate the elements.

Apart from that tiny pickup, your poem was fantastic and you should be very proud of this piece.

https://lauranash1.wordpress.com/2018/10/10/how-to-love-wolves/

Blog 6- The art of writing poetry

What did you learn from this week’s lecture with Judith Beveridge about writing poetry?

A poet is someone who brings their attention to the moment and sees things that others cannot. They open us up to seeing things by expanding our consciousness. They allow the reader to see and understand the things that cause us joy and suffering, and the role and purpose of our existence on earth.

Throughout history, poetry has been the most powerful form of exploring deep spiritual questions. Spirituality is seen as broader than Religion and the breath acts as an interpreting spirit. Poetry allows us to see how we gather intellectually and emotionally with the world.

Poets always find ways to say things that are different. Judith Beveridge, for example, describes the sound of tinkling yachts as “the little shovelfuls of laughter children scatter on the grass.” Judith finds an array of ways to describe such an ordinary sound, showing the reader how images open up to other images, like how music opens up to new ideas. She is able to make the ordinary seem extraordinary. Poetic language is the only type of language that gives us the world through the word, and it is through form and rhythm that a poet will be most convincing. Poetry is also a language that is more musical than any other.

The poet needs to be holy in small things and the poet’s eye needs to make the familiar extraordinary. The Anglo-Saxons called a poet a scop, which is someone who imparted shape onto the formless. Through the works of Judith Beveridge, we can see how appropriate this title is, as she effectively imparts shape onto an object (a yacht) that we would immediately assume as formless or ordinary.

In order for a poem to be successful, it has to come from the poet’s own life. It has to touch the psyche at a communal level. Poetry is shown to be the vehicle for transmitting the story, values, and experiences of different people. We can see this through Francis Webb’s ‘Five days old’, where he not only explores the inner nature of this child but also his own. Webb opens us up to the immensities of life and meditates upon this child and how it is expanded upon his consciousness.

Poetry is important because it reflects the emotions and character of society. It allows us to pay closer attention to the world around us and shows that nothing is really irrelevant. To conclude, I will leave you with a quote that I believe beautifully sums up the meaning of poetry. “Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.” – Carl Sandburg

Peer Review – Rachelle Lanappe

Rachelle,

This is such an engrossing piece of writing. What beautiful language you have used to bring your story to life. “His touch is similar to a cat’s tongue, scratchy like sandpaper, yet not utterly repulsive either.” I particularly love this line as I can imagine the feeling of this man’s hand if I were to shake it myself.

The only critique I would make is to just be aware of your word choices and grammar. For example, in the sentence “a few old and tattered books was all my heart needed to see”, the “was” should be replaced with were. I think just reading over what you have written before you post it is a simple and effective way to reduce these sorts of mistakes.

Well done!

https://rachelle358095736.wordpress.com/2018/10/01/week-9-4th-blog-creative/

Blog 5 – A Message To Meg

Write a letter to Meg in “Down at the Dump” telling her what you think about her relationship with Lummy.

Dearest Meg,

May I just begin by saying I am awfully sorry to hear about your Aunt Daise. It is never easy losing a loved one and I know your mother hasn’t been overly supportive during this time. Please know that I am never far away if you wish to talk.

Now I do not mean to pry, but a little birdie informs me that you have been hanging around that Lummy boy. It is not my duty to reprimand you, nor will I tell you how to live your life, but I would like to impart upon you some words of wisdom. Your mother does care for you Meg, however, she also cares greatly for appearances. Do not allow her superficial views to sway you from following your heart.

I remember one evening when you knocked on my door, the freckles upon your face glowing with anger and you proceeded to tell me how you “hated boys with white hair.” Your words were so passionate that behind all the anger, I saw buried deep within your eyes a sense of vulnerability. So, Meg, I am writing to tell you that in order to truly care for someone you must make yourself vulnerable. Don’t cover your feelings the same way your mother covers those ridiculous plaster pixies with plastic from the rain. Embrace the change in weather!

I heard you have taken an interest in writing poetry, I think that is wonderful! Daise would be very proud to hear of such a thing. Allow the poetry to clarify your feelings. Write to understand.

With all my love and best wishes

Lili

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Blog 4- The Orange Tree

Discuss the significance of “The Orange Tree”

“The Orange Tree” by John Shaw Nielson is a delectable poem to feast your mind upon. But before we delve into the meaning behind it, let us understand a little more about the author.

John Shaw Nielson was one of the finest lyrical poets in Australia who wrote a great deal about the natural world and the beauty in it. He took a keen interest in colours and the use of synesthetic imagery in his poetry. He had a mind that spun faster than the teacups at Disneyland, and this fantastical drama buried in his mind he attempts to convey in his poems.

I interpret this poem to be about silence:

“The young girl stood beside me.

I Saw not what her young eyes could see.”

The first two lines are important as they show an adult and a child looking at an orange tree, however, the child can see things that the adult cannot. It is known that children interpret the world differently to adults, their imaginations thriving upon things that they don’t quite understand yet.

The adult then begins a barrage of questions asking for the child to describe the moment.

“Is it, I said, of east or west?”

I believe there is a sense of irony here as usually, it is children with their curious nature who ask all the questions about the world. However, here we have the reverse with the adult asking the questions. The constant flow of questions leaves the child to say:

“Listen! the young girl said. There calls

No voice, no music beats on me;

But it is almost sound: it falls

This evening on the Orange Tree.”

The empathetic statement “Listen!” is almost a sound. The child wishes for the adult to just listen as she silently reflects upon her experience with the Orange tree. The adult does not understand her experience and continues to bombard her with questions.

After asking the adult twice to “Listen!” she gives up.

“Silence! The young girl said. Oh why,

Why will you talk to weary me?

Plague me no longer now, for I

Am listening like the Orange Tree.”

In a bustling world, people often forget to be silent and just listen to others and the world around them. As the adult asks questions, he ignores the child’s plea to simply listen as he does not understand what she sees. I believe there is a call here to embrace what comes with a reflective acceptance like that of a child.

Peer Review- Nina Carrasco

Hi Nina,

May I just start by saying what a truly wonderful and nostalgic piece you have written.

Before I had even finished reading your sonnet, I had pieced together that your beloved you had delightfully written about was, in fact, your mother. This is a heartfelt piece that emotionally appeals to the reader as it reminds them of their own love that they share with their mother.

The poem flows nicely, and I really like your choice of rhyming couplets. Your opening line “I see someone who looks like me” is an effective setup for the rest of the poem. I can really see through your precise and emotional choice of wording how much your mother means to you and what a profound influence she has on you, “They are beautiful in every part”, “I feel a love never felt before.” I also liked how you referred to your mother as your best friend, I think that is a beautiful inclusion and highlights the deep love you feel for her.

Your title “Beloved from the beginning” is a wonderful choice that demonstrates how your love for your mother is an everlasting and unconditional love. (As a side note I also loved the photo you included). I believe you have created imagery as fiery as Charles Harper for example “A hint of grey with lines throughout the face” and have effectively captivated the reader through your sentimental style of writing.

As I read this piece I interpret it as if it is from the viewpoint of a young child that is admiring the beauty of their mother as nurturer and carer. This child reflects upon the fact that “this world is like a zoo”, however, their mother will be there to guide them through whatever adversities they may face.

This was a great blog Nina and I am looking forward to reading other pieces.

https://ninaengl.wordpress.com/2018/09/23/love-beloved-from-the-beginning/comment-page-1/#comment-14

Blog 3- A Sonnet On Self-love

Charles Harpur’s love sonnets to Rosa are a model for all love sonnets. Using the style and structure of a Harpur sonnet, write a love sonnet to your own beloved! Can you create images as fiery as his!

The sea of self-hatred, it floods and pulls you in

As we fold ourselves away on the higher shelf

Taught to love others, but how, when we can’t love ourselves?

To rot in self-hate and to shed our own skin

If God saw how we treated ourselves, well she’d call it a sin.

The most difficult confession I have ever made

Was standing in front of the bathroom mirror, telling myself that I had to change

The sea gets deeper, the thoughts grow louder, but you also get stronger

And I hope that one day, you no longer view your body as a gaol cell, but instead

A radiant sunny garden with daises that thrive

Burn away the thoughts that cause you dread

And be effervescently happy in simply being alive

I love the sound of vulnerability reminding me that

If winter has the courage to turn into spring, who says I can’t bloom just the same?

Peer Review-Isabella Woodley

Hey Bella,

I really enjoyed reading your interpretation of Sidney Nolan’s “First class marksman” and what you thought it was saying about Ned Kelly’s status in the 20th Century. I think you have delved quite deeply into the painting and have highlighted some really interesting points. I like how you have interpreted Ned Kelly to be an isolated figure through the black amour against the delicately painted landscape. You have also highlighted how the armour is a flat shape and how this contributes to Ned Kelly being the focus of the painting. I think this is an excellent and observant point to have made.

The only improvements that I think could be made are perhaps in the sentence, “The contrast of the dark outlines of Ned Kelly against the sparse green trees and cloudless sky effectively depict the contribution of Ned Kelly to Australian landscape.” You could perhaps delve into what contribution Ned Kelly actually made to the Australian landscape. I feel like you were onto a good point and I would have loved to hear more.

There were also some simple grammatical mistakes such as in the sentence highlighted above you should have put “the contribution of Ned Kelly to the Australian landscape.”
You can consider the word drought-stricken to be hyphenated.
Also, in the sentence “The qualities of Kelly in the painting such as the wide eyes, and skinny arms” appears to have an unnecessary comma in a compound object.

Apart from that, I thought it was an interesting read and I enjoyed hearing your interpretation of this artwork. Good job!

https://bellawoodley.wordpress.com/

Blog 2- An Art Show

Which artwork did you find most meaningful and/or enjoyable? Give a verbal description of the work (include a visual image if you can).

What is it about art that makes a dull room seem so lively? How is it, that simple colours and patterns can captivate our minds and make us weep or grin?

Is it because art is able to express the emotions that we aren’t able to articulate through words? Or because art allows us to truly accept ourselves, without judgement or comparison?

Journeying to the Art Gallery of NSW was an enjoyable and engrossing experience. With so many intriguing artworks on display, it was hard to pinpoint just one to focus on. However, the painting by Trevor Nickolls titled “The Garden of Eden” was an artwork that truly captivated me.

Dubbed “the father of urban Aboriginal art”, Trevor Nickolls explores points of intersection between the traditional Indigenous ways of living and contemporary urban existence.

“The Garden of Eden” articulates the idea of a utopian world where man and woman, black and white, animals and plants all live together harmoniously. The idea that leaped into my mind when studying this painting was that Australia appeared to be this new Eden. It is a heavenly place where everyone and everything was accepted. This can be seen through the unification of a black man and a white woman as they hold hands and through the integration of Christian and Indigenous culture. The love heart in between the couple holds within it the Holy Spirit, a symbol of Christianity which is placed inside the shape of Australia, almost like an acceptance of the Christian culture into this new country. However, also pictured is an array of native Australian animals including a serpent which can be linked back to Indigenous culture and to the Dreamtime. Stories told by Indigenous Australians such as The Rainbow Serpent helped frame an understating of how the world was created.

I interpret this as an amalgamation of both cultures. The cultures are not trying to juxtapose one another but rather appear to be integrating. The white woman is also pictured naked rather than in European styled clothing, perhaps alluding to the idea that she is adapting to Indigenous ways of living and being.

The use of earthy colours like red, brown and yellow demonstrate the traditional style of Aboriginal art along with the use of dots and inclusion of the waterholes.

Trevor Nickoll’s art is an innovative and unique style of art that incorporates some stylistic elements of traditional Aboriginal art such as dot painting and rarrk, and intertwines it with other styles of art such as the use of vibrant colours like that of the sky in “The Garden of Eden”

http://www.aiarts.com.au/trevor-nickolls.html

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