Monday, June 1, 2009
Text and truth
In searching for the 'truth ' of a text we can apply a range of different measures or interpretive tools. One that we applied today was the search for a resonance between our own experience and that which appeared to be communicated through Harwood’s poetry. Look for another poem (that we have not studied in class) and examine its truth or non-truth with reference your own life experiences.
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In my opinion Harwood’s poetry describes certain truths of the every day, those of which are clearly verified when reflecting on our own life experiences. Examples of these are the mortal truths of human interaction, emotion and reaction to the world around them. She best recounts the idyllic or distressing moments of childhood and perfectly captures the innocent and easily influenced mind of a child. When reading the poem ‘Father and Child: 1 Barn Owl’ I am reminded of many instances from my childhood in which my careless little rebellions resulted in some not so enjoyable consequences and punishments. The poem concerns a child who (in trying to act like their father) sneaks out early in the morning and shoots an owl, like a prise to be claimed. However, the child is considerably distressed at the disturbing bloodied scene he is now witness to, and as punishment is forced into ‘ending what he had begun’. Although I have never shot an owl, or any other animal for that matter, I can think of a thousand times where I have unsuccessfully attempted to do things beyond my ability, comprehension or maturity level, all in the name of trying to be more independent and ‘grown-up’. Also I can recount the honest remorse I felt at these mistakes, something I admittedly, rarely feel these days. The child’s reaction to his cruel act is one that displays the truth in such a remorseful situation. I think the child acts impulsively and without regard for consequences, which is something that can be extended to children world-wide.
ReplyDeleteI too, see a part of my life experiences as a child in the poem “Father and child.” As with Julian, I have never shot an animal, but I do know what it is to test boundaries. The young boy in this poem is testing the truth of life and death. Although he shoots the owl to learn for himself, it is also clear that he is driven for love of his father. It is as if he wants, not only to test boundaries, but also to test his Fathers love. Young boys especially, have often been observed to attempt something that is, what they believe to be, a sign of power, maturity or masculinity. However as a child one does not usually feel the need to prove anything to oneself, but rather to the figure of which they love and admire- their parent(s). Something that was brought to my mind when reading this poem was when, as a child, I attempted to run away from home. Although this did not deal with something as serious as life and death, it was all the same a test of boundaries. The thing I find interesting about my experience is that I didn’t do it because of being unhappy, or because I longed to leave home, but instead because it seemed something one would do if they where feeling these things. It was as if I did it, not because I wanted to, but because I must, in order to find out what would happen. I think this was the same for the child. I remember packing a rucksack of provisions and heading out the door. I got a small way down my street before my mother came running after me. I cried as if I had betrayed her, but also for the fact that she came for me. It proved to my young mind her love for me, but also my love for her. It seemed that this was all it was ever really about, which I think is the same with the boy in “Father and child”
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post Ari. The connections you made between his act of rebellion and yearning for his fathers love was very interesting. I think that this is certainly a truth among children; a desire for approval and attention. I also agree that the child has acted in an attempt to prove his self-worth, whether it is his ability to act maturely or to display his masculinity. One thing that can be questioned is the gender of the child, as it is never specified in the poem. If it is written from the experiences of Harwood, the child is subject to more complex moral boundaries. If it were indeed a girl, we would begin to understand the feminist qualities of the piece. A girl would hardly be recommended to act in such a brutish manner, taking on the masculine role of the hunter. This makes the act of rebellion one that greater exceeds that of a males, one that not only goes against her parents, but also society. Either way it examines the truth of a child’s desire to do what they are told they cannot.
ReplyDeletefirstly i would just like to comment on Jason's spelling if HARWOOOD.
ReplyDeleteWhoops! Sorry Tallulah (and everyone else).
ReplyDeleteHardwoods ‘the secret life of frogs’ utilizes the metaphor of frogs to explore the relationships between parents and siblings. With a backdrop of war experiences as the catalyst for emotional responses, the poem delves into the dark recesses of human tragedy. The frog is symbolic of the slang for the French and as a gauge for the state of well-being and transformation from darkness into light. This resonates deeply with my own childhood experiences where pent up emotion and dysfunctional relationships within the family setting was poignant. The deeper truth being masked is by a nonchalant and melancholy approached conversation. The poem is one of hardwoods most powerful I have read so far, as it draws on the slaughter at Gallipoli and the struggle for survival. The use of mice and frogs is used cleverly, mice being the submissive metaphor and frogs the gauge for truth. The reference to the boys blowing up frogs and spiking them with a knife which his father had killed many Germans with, passes as a comment and observation of the innate cruelty within mankind.
ReplyDeleteGwen Harwood's "Father and Child" is a two part poem describing the self changes experienced through time within a young child. In the first part of the poem, we witness a change in self a child as she experiences her first step towards adulthood. In "Barn Owl", a child at a rebellious age, experiments with the constraints of authority in an attempt to seek control for herself, as she sneaks out to kill a barn owl with her father's shotgun. However, this experimentation quickly awakens her to an important discovery in her life; the reality of suffering and death. It is a captivating read personally associated with my own experiences in life, we see the changes of maturity develop through this act as the child shots the bird putting it out of its misery. This is a life changing experience and becomes the indication that the child cannot return to childhood by teaching the acceptance of responsibility for her actions. Though I have never personally shot a barn owl, I have experienced such decisions in which a mature expectation by such ‘authority’ figures e.g parents, was in forced upon me. The truth seemingly in this poem is that for time and change are inseparably intertwined as we grow so to does the expectations of the world around us, as we learn, that sometimes brutality and exposure become the best way to face and overcome our mistakes.
ReplyDeleteTallulah, your blog was extremely captivating. The symbolic
ReplyDeletereferral of the frogs and the german soldiers is a horrific
depiction of the barbarity of mankind. The similarity drawn
between the two acts as an indication of the 'truths' of mankind
as children mimic their parents more closely then maybe preferred.
The innocence of the frog killings (if any innocence at all) is quickly
shattered by the brutal references to the war murders. Harwood's comments on this relationship between father and son, exposing
the 'truths' of killing in general. Your work was extremely impressive
Tallulah, as your exploration of the poem 'the secret life of frogs' was relevant and intriguing.
In response to Ariana’s post, I think she touches on the element of power in the human psyche and I believe that she could have elaborated on this phenomenon as Harwood alludes to this observation in many of her poems. Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely. I feel something that was missed was the vulnerability and frailty of mans ability to control his own power, and how it lies at the heart of our own possible destruction. The killing of the owl, just to prove we can control the destiny of other animals makes us both powerful and frail at our own hands. Hardwoods insight into the reality of this human condition is both poignant and undeniable.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Harwood’s poem ‘Night and dreams’ recalls the hazy and distorted truths of childhood, which is present in many of Hardwood’s works. The main protagonist, the crab, represents to me the entrance of a sibling into the life of an only child, an experience that I still recall-the irrational feeling of jealousy and resentment in having to share my parents with another child, a stranger. The poem begins almost as if it has been derived from a children’s storybook, possessing colour and exaggerated beauty but there is a dramatic change in tone and contrast which stems from the phrase ‘that night my father brought you home’, referring to the siblings homecoming. The use of this phrase results in the plunge from lightness into the ‘parching darkness’. From this point onwards the ‘crab/sibling’ demands and possesses much of the attention as far as the only child perceives. I can strongly relate to this poem as, upon the arrival of my younger sibling I was faced with such insecurities as the loss of attention and felt almost abandoned. Throughout the poem, there appears to be a constant power struggle between the narrator, who I see as myself, and the crab, who I see as my sibling although these characters also interrelate. despite the obvious character distinction, I myself relate to the crab particularly in the last stanza regarding the yearning to be ‘home’, to me meaning to go back to the way of life before the arrival of the sibling. A power struggle for attention and yearning for the limelight is something I experienced throughout my very early childhood years.
ReplyDeleteJulians post i found to be one that i can relate to. His use of examples from his childhood in which rebellions led to not so desirable consequences is something in which i myself have experienced a fair share of throughout my years. His example regarding the strong desire to achieve something much beyond ones years is also something in which often i strive towards for that independence one on the brink of adulthood so strongly desires, resulting in an almost impossible attempt to achieve the physically and emotionally unachievable. Julians analysis of the poem was direct and presented us with a range of ideas that are both relevant and typical of Harwood's style.
ReplyDeleteI have two responses I would like to make. Firstly, to Julian’s response to my own blog in which I made the assumption that the child in “Father and child” was a boy. What a very good point to make Julian! I think it is quite significant that I automatically thought of the poem to be written from a boy’s perspective. This says a lot about society and the supposed gender differences and norms. I, without thinking, accepted that the act of shooting a bird is something a male would do. As Julian said, if the child was a girl, the poem would be given another layer of meaning and would definitely support Harwood’s theme of the life of women. However I think my reasons for making the gender assumption are somewhat valid even so. Harwood herself has said that she never writes from her personal self, but that she becomes ANOTHER person. Whether or not this is true is vaguely irrelevant to the fact that, to me, the poem doesn’t need to be understood from a particular gender as it, overall, relates to childhood itself. As we can see from the blogs, the themes in the poem are still completely relevant to our personal experiences and everyone can relate to them somehow (the question of whether or not this is important is debateable of course!) Also I would quickly like to say that I loved Stella’s point about how the child shoots the owl and thus puts an end to his/her naive freedom of childhood by taking responsibility for his/her actions. I think this is very symbolic of adulthood and defining the parting what it is to be a child. Everyone says that no responsibilities are the best part of being young and I think many would agree!
ReplyDeleteGwen hardwood captures the essence of life within her poetry, drawing on the everyday occurrences and placing them into her works. These truths are apparent everywhere with in her poetry, such truths as intense emotion, human behaviour and interaction and the presence of human boundaries. In the poem ‘father and child’ a young boy is faced with the temptation to kill an animal, his boundaries are pushed heavily within this piece, displaying a sense of vulnerability and innocence. This poem takes me back to when i was a child and the slightest act or revolt was a great feat. The risk and thrill of doing something you know you shouldn’t. This act of violence is not an act of complete rebellion, it is clear that the boy did this to test boundaries, of himself and of his father; he does this to gain something. Boys are known to act in certain way to gain respect or a higher status.
ReplyDeleteTallulah, I felt your blog entry was extreemly descriptive and intriguing. the imagery you used to pass your point accross was extreemly impressive and I throughly ejoyed reading it. You definately discussed the truths that Harwood's poetry brought forth, the connection between the frog and the war reflecting relationships between parent and child. I throughly enjoyed reading this blog as I thought you brought acrross interesting points.
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ReplyDeleteyou guys didn't help at all. I need help.
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