Bruce Dawe

Essay topic: In ‘Sometimes Gladness’ Dawe is both amused and frustrated by the society and individuals around him discuss. (800-850 words)

Bruce Dawe once said “I write out of a concern for things that are going on around me.” This is evident throughout his writings in ‘Sometimes Gladness Dawe combine humour and seriousness regarding the contemporary Australian society around him. The particular values held by Australian individuals really bother Dawe “a pure unadulterated fringe of sky, littered with stars no one has got around to fixing up yet.” Dawe portrays Australian society as a consumer society who is always demanding more like the stars not being bright enough. Dawe consistently focuses on the smaller picture of life to show to the reader his frustration and amusement of the cycle of life.

Dawe expresses his amusement in ‘Life-cycle’ in a satirical manner suggesting football with its rituals such as, “hot pies and potato-crisps they will eat” and her...