abandonment of autos (1964)
Note the use of small case for the title: it denotes a seemingly unimportant action but ironically describes humanity at its most romantic and idealistic. Under the title, an extract from a news report is given. This serves as a catalyst for the speaker. Unlike the other poems in this elective, this presents a tender, even romantic view of human nature. It is about hope, unlike the despair which is reflected in the other five poems set for study.
The rather whimsical opening 'Something about the idea appeals to me immensely', attracts the responder’s attention. The personal pronoun establishes intimacy, the speaker is sharing his fantasy with their audience. Many of his other poems have a detached observer but the speaker in this poem offers sincerity and intimacy rather than cynicism. Use of the present tense throughout suggests the active nature of 'the driver', who is juxtaposed with the passive nature of many of the other characters who inhabit this group of poems. This driver is in control, making his own choices, asserting his sensitive nature. Furthermore the use of present tense suggests that this may be happening all over, not in isolation. The use of active verbs and the sequencing of the driver's movements also reinforces the potency of his actions. Added to this sense of active purpose Dawe presents emotion untainted by cynicism or satire.
His focus is on the way the human spirit can transcend the consumer paradigm. Words such as 'grave tenderness' and the use of the punctuation marks ‘...’ create a feeling that the driver's actions are deliberate, a quixotic attempt, not merely an act of reckless irresponsibility. The driver has indeed chosen to spare his auto and himself from the 'cold appraisal’ ‘of the merchant'. Our consumer society would deem his car as 'an old heap' because it is not worth much monetarily. Dawe is obviously commenting on the way we equate worth with cash value. The driver... [continues]
Note the use of small case for the title: it denotes a seemingly unimportant action but ironically describes humanity at its most romantic and idealistic. Under the title, an extract from a news report is given. This serves as a catalyst for the speaker. Unlike the other poems in this elective, this presents a tender, even romantic view of human nature. It is about hope, unlike the despair which is reflected in the other five poems set for study.
The rather whimsical opening 'Something about the idea appeals to me immensely', attracts the responder’s attention. The personal pronoun establishes intimacy, the speaker is sharing his fantasy with their audience. Many of his other poems have a detached observer but the speaker in this poem offers sincerity and intimacy rather than cynicism. Use of the present tense throughout suggests the active nature of 'the driver', who is juxtaposed with the passive nature of many of the other characters who inhabit this group of poems. This driver is in control, making his own choices, asserting his sensitive nature. Furthermore the use of present tense suggests that this may be happening all over, not in isolation. The use of active verbs and the sequencing of the driver's movements also reinforces the potency of his actions. Added to this sense of active purpose Dawe presents emotion untainted by cynicism or satire.
His focus is on the way the human spirit can transcend the consumer paradigm. Words such as 'grave tenderness' and the use of the punctuation marks ‘...’ create a feeling that the driver's actions are deliberate, a quixotic attempt, not merely an act of reckless irresponsibility. The driver has indeed chosen to spare his auto and himself from the 'cold appraisal’ ‘of the merchant'. Our consumer society would deem his car as 'an old heap' because it is not worth much monetarily. Dawe is obviously commenting on the way we equate worth with cash value. The driver... [continues]
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