Waratah and Wattle Poem Analysis
Henry
Lawson, one of Australia’s greatest poets has written this poem to identify his
love of the Australian landscape by linking the beauty of the waratah and the
wattle, which are part of Australia’s natural flora and are Australian emblems.
The wattle is Australia’s national floral emblem and the waratah is the floral
emblem of New South Wales.
Lawson portrays his absolute pride for his country and land. He writes that even if his family and friends leave him, he believes that his country, Australia will never desert him. Lawson references the Shamrock, Thistle and Rose. These are all linked to the floral emblems of the United Kingdom (Shamrock – Ireland, Thistle – Scotland and Rose – England). The poet mentions these because many people who lived in Australia during his lifetime originated from the UK. He compares the emblems to show his love for the Australian landscape, especially the waratah and wattle. Lawson then writes “I know a country that gathered all those” meaning that Australia has brought these three emblems together in the one place.
When Lawson uses the line “I would die every death that might save her from shame, if a black cloud should rise on the stand,” he is worried that the landscape could be vulnerable to an environmental event caused by natural disasters or even war. Once again, as with Mackellar’s work, Lawson uses “her” as a strong show of affection. Throughout this endearing poem Lawson uses the poetic technique of imagery, such as “while the blue sky is arching above”. This takes the readers on a vivid journey whilst portraying his love of Australia and its landscape. Repetition is another technique used to strengthen the theme which is his love of the Australian bush.
Lawson’s poem captivates the reader and clearly portrays his love of this land through an engaging description and clever uses of poetic techniques. Waratah and Wattle are symbols of Australia and the poem worthy of its place in the history of Australian bush poetry.
Comparison
Lawson portrays his absolute pride for his country and land. He writes that even if his family and friends leave him, he believes that his country, Australia will never desert him. Lawson references the Shamrock, Thistle and Rose. These are all linked to the floral emblems of the United Kingdom (Shamrock – Ireland, Thistle – Scotland and Rose – England). The poet mentions these because many people who lived in Australia during his lifetime originated from the UK. He compares the emblems to show his love for the Australian landscape, especially the waratah and wattle. Lawson then writes “I know a country that gathered all those” meaning that Australia has brought these three emblems together in the one place.
When Lawson uses the line “I would die every death that might save her from shame, if a black cloud should rise on the stand,” he is worried that the landscape could be vulnerable to an environmental event caused by natural disasters or even war. Once again, as with Mackellar’s work, Lawson uses “her” as a strong show of affection. Throughout this endearing poem Lawson uses the poetic technique of imagery, such as “while the blue sky is arching above”. This takes the readers on a vivid journey whilst portraying his love of Australia and its landscape. Repetition is another technique used to strengthen the theme which is his love of the Australian bush.
Lawson’s poem captivates the reader and clearly portrays his love of this land through an engaging description and clever uses of poetic techniques. Waratah and Wattle are symbols of Australia and the poem worthy of its place in the history of Australian bush poetry.
Comparison