The surfer By Judith Wright - analysis

‘The Surfer’

The poem ‘The Surfer’ by Judith Wright is a strong and powerful portrayal of a free and savagely determined view of the world. It is about the sea and the surfer who is game with the sea, it is also a vivid illustration of the strong will and harshness of the shore. It is written in the modern context being set in the present time. The poem starts in a spirited ride for the joy of the surfer but as the poem flows night falls and we are left to feel the animal like savagery of the sea.
A young man is forcing his way along the waves as he “thrusts his joy against the weight of the sea,. An emotion is used to portray his surf board to portray his feelings not only towards his board but also towards the sea in general. Wright’s use of metaphor in this line as seen by her use of ‘joy’ and ‘weight’ is used to describe the power behind the sea and the delight in the surfer.
Wright often uses verbs throughout the poem to illustrate the physical movement o...