Bruce Dawe Journey

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Discuss one aspect of journey in your text and say how it is represented by the composer. Journeys provide us with new insights and an elevated understanding of the world and our selves. The notion of journeys is prevalent in Bruce Dawe’s satire Enter without so Much as Knocking. Dawes text explores a fundamental aspect of the human condition and emphasises the aptitude of journeys to challenge our thinking and enforce a sense of self reflection. Dawe’s satire Enter without so much as knocking explores the aspect of the dangers of following the wrong journey through the central characters physical journey in free verse, and highlights the dangers of lacking an inner and imaginative journey. It is advocated that by following a materialistic…show more content…
The text follows the central characters physical journey in free verse, and highlights the dangers of lacking an inner and imaginative journey. It is shown through the persona that following a materialistic lifestyle will ultimately lead to a loss of identity. Dawe commentates in a satirical tone of our modern society the persona has been born into. This is prevalent in Dawes dehumanisation of the family into meaningless jingoistic terms, “one economy-size Mum, and a Cool stream summer weight Dad.” The anonymity of the family members emphasises the corruption of our society by consumerism. This shows that the persona has been born into a world controlled by greed and corruption due to the inevitability of our own mortality, to live a fulfilling life This is further emphasised in the increasing regulation of our lives, from the opening lines of the poem, “BLINK, BLINK, HOSPITAL SILENCE,” it is emphatic that the persona has been born into a world of noise, haste and selfishness with little chance to follow the right journey. The newborn is a victim of his context, abused by materialism resulting in a loss of identity. The environment is also highly regulated, “DON’T WALK, WATCH OUT FOR THAT.” The use of capitalisation and truncated sentences emphasise the lack of individual freedom. Through the persona it is evident that by following the wrong journey, you will develop a cynical view of life, “hit whoever you see with a head and kick whoever’s down,” which is caused by a lack of an inner journey. Even till death artificiality and materialism is still evident. The irony of “Probity and sons, Morticians,” emphasises the importance of the exterior, as probity means being upright and honest. The persona’s lack of an inner journey is further highlighted through the quote, “the old automatic smile with nothing behind,” to emphasise his stymied inner
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