Ballad and Paterson
Voices are powerful things. A whisper can destroy a friendship; a scream can terrify an audience. Without a voice, would we even be noticed? The way you speak often tells others more about yourself than what you actually say. It reveals how you understand the world and others.
Composers, guided by their contexts and personal opinions, create distinctive voices through the distinct use of literary techniques to convey unique perspectives on others and the world. Banjo Paterson’s poems, ‘In Defence of the Bush’ and ‘Mulga Bill’s Bicycle’ and Anthony Brown’s picture book, ‘Voices in the Park’, use voices to
depict their very unique perspectives on the world and people. Through techniques such as juxtaposition, textual form and creation of interesting personalities, both composers convey specific views on class difference, personality and place.
Composers use juxtaposition and comparison to reveal class difference in voices. Paterson’s ‘In Defence of the Bush’ conveys two voices, one being Henry Lawson and the other Banjo Paterson. These voices evoke two very different opinions on lifestyle and reveal significant class differences in Australia at the time. Henry Lawson’s own writings on the bush were severely criticised by Paterson in this poem, as he responds to his criticisms. Paterson depicts Lawson as out of place in the bush and was too picky for country hospitality. Paterson writes: ‘Well, we grieve to disappoint you, and it makes us sad to hear / That it wasn’t cool and shady.” Paterson is highly sarcastic in this line, making fun of
Lawson’s criticism that the country was not comfortable. By apologising for the bush not being ‘cool and shady’, it shows that Paterson thinks Lawson is weak and not suited to the bush life, but instead, is suited to a more comfortable and wealthier lifestyle. Lawson is even called a ‘swell’ by Paterson, meaning that he is too classy for the bush. This is
juxtaposed and contrasted with how Paterson speaks of
Composers, guided by their contexts and personal opinions, create distinctive voices through the distinct use of literary techniques to convey unique perspectives on others and the world. Banjo Paterson’s poems, ‘In Defence of the Bush’ and ‘Mulga Bill’s Bicycle’ and Anthony Brown’s picture book, ‘Voices in the Park’, use voices to
depict their very unique perspectives on the world and people. Through techniques such as juxtaposition, textual form and creation of interesting personalities, both composers convey specific views on class difference, personality and place.
Composers use juxtaposition and comparison to reveal class difference in voices. Paterson’s ‘In Defence of the Bush’ conveys two voices, one being Henry Lawson and the other Banjo Paterson. These voices evoke two very different opinions on lifestyle and reveal significant class differences in Australia at the time. Henry Lawson’s own writings on the bush were severely criticised by Paterson in this poem, as he responds to his criticisms. Paterson depicts Lawson as out of place in the bush and was too picky for country hospitality. Paterson writes: ‘Well, we grieve to disappoint you, and it makes us sad to hear / That it wasn’t cool and shady.” Paterson is highly sarcastic in this line, making fun of
Lawson’s criticism that the country was not comfortable. By apologising for the bush not being ‘cool and shady’, it shows that Paterson thinks Lawson is weak and not suited to the bush life, but instead, is suited to a more comfortable and wealthier lifestyle. Lawson is even called a ‘swell’ by Paterson, meaning that he is too classy for the bush. This is
juxtaposed and contrasted with how Paterson speaks of