We Are Going Analysis

Oodgeroo Noonuccal – We are going
The poem “We are going” takes the form of a single stanza, featuring a mixture of short and long lines comprised of a short description followed by a lamenting monologue. The form ensures that all the information presented is treated equally by the reader, as there is no break in reading the poem.
The language features revolve around the repetition of various concepts, words and syllables, however it also incorporates the use of similes. The repetition featured at the start of the monologue of “we are…” is used to present and emphasise the history and close relationship that the aboriginal tribe share with the land, as well as providing a contrast to the treatment of the land by the white men. This can be seen in how the speaker contrasts the word strangers, first applying it to himself before applying it to the white men as well as in how the description shows the treatment of the land by the white people. The repetition at the end of the stanza which describes the various cultural symbols of the aboriginal people “The (scrubs/eagle/bora ring/corroboree)…” is used to show and emphasise the depth of the culture and is part of the repetition of the cultural ideas, customs and laws presented earlier in the stanza. The repetition of the word “gone” at the end of the stanza is used to emphasise the destruction of the culture as it used in context with the various cultural symbols of the aboriginal people. The final (and conversely the first) piece of repetition in the stanza is the repetition of the title, “We are going”, whereas in other cases the repetition was used to emphasise a certain point, here it is used to show contrast between the start of the poem. At the start it implies a sense of movement and at the end it implies a sense of dread and depression surrounding the destruction of their culture. The repetition is used to give the reader an understanding of how the culture is viewed as well as the rich history of the culture