Voice and opposition

Read this extract from the book Australian Writers - Gwen Harwood. In part it suggests that Harwood uses '...a range of voices, to explore oppositions...'. In your blog entry discuss this observation and whether or not you think it accurate of Harwood's work. Give an example of where her poetry uses this technique. You can use more than one poem to support you answer.

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.

Strauss and the misinterpretation of Harwood

In the reflection on Harwood's career written by Jennifer Strauss she attempts to identify a range of general themes, interests and styles that she belives are particularly prevalent across Harwood's work. To my mind though the article has little to say of substance about Harwood's work and in some cases in fact misinterprets it. What do you think? In your answer you must refer to a poem we have not read in class.

Nature as metaphor in Harwood's poetry

In the two poems we read today (Estuary and An Impromtu for Ann Jennings) nature plays a significant symbolic or metaphorical role. Comment on Harwood's use of nature in one of the poems. You should write about the quality of Harwood's descriptions of nature as well as what nature represents in the context of the poem.

The domestic and the transcendent

Harwood’s poetry is described as being ‘firmly located in the particular, the domestic and the mortal’ while addressing issues of greater significance and lasting importance. With reference to the two poems we read today discuss this statement and whether or not it is a fair appraisal of an aspect of Harwood’s work.