Weapons Training Bruce Dawe Analysis

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ruce Dawe, and Australian, anti-war poet expresses motivation and his ability to “speak for those have no means of speaking” which holds a very general appeal. He talks about significant issues happening around the world in his poetry, but specifically his anti-war poems ‘Homecoming’ and ‘Weapons Training’. In these poems, Dawe provides the soldiers a say by informing the audience how severely treated they are and to fight for Australia knowing that most may not return. As Dawe has served in the Royal Australian Air Force, he understands their situation and has stood up for the soldiers as they are considered ‘voiceless’. He is able to do this through a variety of techniques. Bruce shows us the soldiers’ concerns of war is risking their own lives to save us back home, and that them knowing they may only have a minor chance of returning. The poem ‘Homecoming’ is about some young,…show more content…
This shows us that the soldiers are too young and inexperienced to fight in war. The words and repetition of “dead dead dead” highlights the reality of death and is common to happen if the soldiers don’t follow his strict and harsh commands. To summarise, in ‘Homecoming’ and ‘Weapons Training’, Bruce Dawe wants us to review our opinions towards innocent soldiers being taken to war. He questions us if he really wants our soldiers to be cold blooded killers, and be locked up in society for using the skills they have learned. These men were recruited and were not asked to go to war, yet they are treated with no respect. They are dehumanised, dishonoured and made to strike fear and hate in order to be turned into killers. These poems make the audience to see if this is right or wrong? Through these things, Bruce Dawe has made us reflect our views on war and has given a voice to all those voiceless soldiers around the
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