Bruce Dawes Poems Analysis

The poems, 'No Fixed Address',' Homecoming', 'The busker outside Rigotts' all support the view that Bruce Dawe has for society is rather critical than celebratory. In 'No fixed Address' Bruce shows how the importance of homelessness and alcohol has a crucial view of society. The poem 'Homecoming' demonstrates the focus on the injustice of killing young men in society 'The busker outside rigotts' suggests how society is aware of the issues but choose to ignore them.

The theme of homelessness is made clear through his poem 'No fixed addresses. Dawe states how much homeless people are suffering by stating 'His form the Daily Globe enfolds' meaning they are using the newspaper as bedding. This idea is supported by 'feted fate ad changed her frown into a grin' therefore meaning homeless people are only happy when they are 'garlanded in gin' another unrecognised problem in the world. Therefore Dawe makes us think about those we choose to ignore.

The poem 'Homecoming' describes the homecoming of the dead Australian soldiers from the Vietnam War. Bruce Dawe clearly wishes society to realise the sadness and show some interest for the loss of the lives of the young soldiers lost at war. This idea is supported by Dawe stating how "they are bringing" home the bodies "in deep freeze lockers"... zipped up "in green plastic bags" "bringing them home, now, too late." He states the consequences of this event as being an uncaring society for example 'raise muzzles in mute salute' these quotes from the poem give a strong sense of the lack of respect that is given to those who fought in war by only receiving a ' mute salute' from dogs and not acknowledgement from their fellow countrymen. Therefore makes us feel sorry about those whose young lives were lost at war.

'The busker outside Rigotts' is about a young girl trying to busk to earn money to make a living. Evidence such as 'passing pedestrians' signifies that society is aware of poverty and ignoring the girl's cry out for help. Bruce Dawe Is trying to make people realise what it like to be poor and homeless and what it's like watching people 'passing' by without society recognising their 'emptiness'. Overall this poem makes us think about those we usually forget.

Finally Dawe represents society as being shallow and showing he has a lack of optimism for the future. He expresses his sympathy and compassion for people and an understanding of their problems hoping to convince society about the issues an significant part of the population are going through. Dawe views society as having many issues that society is aware of but chooses to ignore them.

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