Narrative Voice in Homecoming
Narrative voice plays an important role in conveying the idea of 'journey' in 'Homecoming' by poet Bruce Dawe. In this free-verse war poem, the idea of 'journey' extends itself to cover both the physical and emotional aspects of the subject matter of the poem. Repetition and word choice are of key importance in developing the idea of the physical journey, while techniques such as metaphorical language, historical references and the use of imagery reinforce the idea of the emotional baggage that returns along with the bodies. The purpose of this poem is to illustrate the futility and pointlessness of war. The first technique that becomes apparent to the responder is repetition. The repetition of the word 'day', in the context of,'All day, day after day...' has connotations of the drudgery and the long duration of this physical journey, as well as alluding to the sheer volumes of corpses that are transported home. The next five lines are begun with the word, 'they're' which gives the poem a slow and repetitious rhythm, which is related to the constancy and monotony of this physical journey. To suit the e
The image of the spider creating his web, starting from the inside and working outwards, allows the responder to link this with the idea of the emotional journey beginning as the corpses are picked up and transported home, spreading and coming to a close as the telegrams reach each house informing the occupants of their loved one's death. Dawe employs this to convey the conclusion of the physical and emotional journey of the piece. " is made in reference to the vapour trails left by the jets journeying 'home', but also has connotations to the grief experienced. In this way, the narrative voice is established as detached, and without emotion. There is a distinct absence of any images of human grief in this poem, and this is possibly more evocative than direct descriptions. The use of the word 'wintering' is a direct reference to death. Established at the beginning of the poem and continued throughout, is the narrative voice or persona of 'Homecoming. ffect the composer wishes to achieve rhythm and the speed of reading are moderated and can be linked in with the idea of the amounts of bodies to be transported. " which is situated at the end of the poem. As the poem progresses, so does the narrative voice. An effective denouement is reached in the last line of the poem, through use of paradoxical language "they're bringing them home now, too late, too early".
Common topics in this essay:
Bruce Dawe,
Homecoming Narrative,
narrative voice,
metaphorical language,
word choice,
physical journey,
idea emotional,
emotional journey,
idea emotional journey,
beginning poem,
physical emotional,
transported home,
grief poem,
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