My Country Poem Analysis
This cherished, timeless poem by Dorothea Mackellar clearly describes the Australian landscape, which is an important part of
identity. The landscape is important to Australians because of its diversity which provides a very wide range of lifestyles and occupations, culture and history.
The poet personifies Australia by using words like "she" and "her". By doing this the reader gets a feel that Australia is not just a
lifeless piece of land, but sharing the same characteristics of a person. Just as sailors refer to their boats as “her” or “she”, because they have a deep affection for the sea. I believe Mackellar is using the same affection when describing her love of the Australian landscape. Feminine affection is usually stronger hence the use of “she” and “her”.
In the first stanza the poet is comparing the natural landscape of another country to that of Australia. She describes the other country
(England) as tame because it is portrayed with "ordered woods" and "soft skies". However Mackellar characterizes Australia as wild with a vivid description of the starkness and cruel beauty of the country she loved by using words like "ragged mountains" and "sweeping plains”. As well as the rugged mountains and plains, Australia’s landscape boasts deserts, surf beaches, beautiful reefs and majestic forests. All of these
enable us to enjoy the best of both worlds in our own country. Mackellar is emphasizing the differences between England and Australia to highlight the unique identity of her adopted country.
Mackellar paints a picture which takes the reader on a descriptive journey of Australia's natural environment. An example of this is
shown in the line, "of droughts and flooding rains". This describes Australia as cruel in times of droughts and unpredictable in the rainy season. Throughout this absorbing poem Dorothea uses the poetic technique of alliteration, such as "lithe lianas", "steady and soaking," and "flood, fire and famine." Mackellar uses this alliteration to emphasize the characteristics of Australian rural life and to create the effect that Australia is sometimes harsh and unpredictable.
Dorothea's endearing description of the country she loved with its ragged ranges, cruel and dark landscape and sweeping vistas, captivates the
reader and engages them on a journey through her imaginative portrayal of the Australian landscape.
Waratah and Wattle
identity. The landscape is important to Australians because of its diversity which provides a very wide range of lifestyles and occupations, culture and history.
The poet personifies Australia by using words like "she" and "her". By doing this the reader gets a feel that Australia is not just a
lifeless piece of land, but sharing the same characteristics of a person. Just as sailors refer to their boats as “her” or “she”, because they have a deep affection for the sea. I believe Mackellar is using the same affection when describing her love of the Australian landscape. Feminine affection is usually stronger hence the use of “she” and “her”.
In the first stanza the poet is comparing the natural landscape of another country to that of Australia. She describes the other country
(England) as tame because it is portrayed with "ordered woods" and "soft skies". However Mackellar characterizes Australia as wild with a vivid description of the starkness and cruel beauty of the country she loved by using words like "ragged mountains" and "sweeping plains”. As well as the rugged mountains and plains, Australia’s landscape boasts deserts, surf beaches, beautiful reefs and majestic forests. All of these
enable us to enjoy the best of both worlds in our own country. Mackellar is emphasizing the differences between England and Australia to highlight the unique identity of her adopted country.
Mackellar paints a picture which takes the reader on a descriptive journey of Australia's natural environment. An example of this is
shown in the line, "of droughts and flooding rains". This describes Australia as cruel in times of droughts and unpredictable in the rainy season. Throughout this absorbing poem Dorothea uses the poetic technique of alliteration, such as "lithe lianas", "steady and soaking," and "flood, fire and famine." Mackellar uses this alliteration to emphasize the characteristics of Australian rural life and to create the effect that Australia is sometimes harsh and unpredictable.
Dorothea's endearing description of the country she loved with its ragged ranges, cruel and dark landscape and sweeping vistas, captivates the
reader and engages them on a journey through her imaginative portrayal of the Australian landscape.
Waratah and Wattle