Poem Analysis: The Australian Identity

The Australian identity is a complex and ever changing image. It is impossible to define using one singular concept, event or symbol. The multicultural society Australia proudly hosts makes it difficult to develop and pin point an accurate and widely accepted national identity and idology. The three texts 'Then and Now ' by Ooderoo of the tribe Noonuccal, 'Eucalyptus ' by Murray Bail and 'Nobody Calls me a Wog anymore ' by Kimninos, each reflect the different forces that have shaped and forged the Australian identity into the broad concept it is today.

The poem 'Then and Now ' by Ooderoo of the tirbe Noonuccal provides an indigenous perspective of the Australian identity by highlighting the radical change in lifestyle since the early colonisation
The poem opens with a joyous, nostalgic and reflective tone as the poet contemplates with her tribe, "I hear my tribe laughing as they hunt and swim". This emphasizes the vibrance and virtality of indigenous life while communicating the rich sense of community and friendship as the core of the Aboriginal culture.

The opening is contrasted against a dull, sorrowful and isolated tone as the negative change in lifestyle for indigenous people is conveyed, "I see no more tribe of old as i walk alone in this teeming town." The contrast in tone continues throughout the text as the poem moves between the past and present. It evokes empathy and saddness from the reader whilst creating a remorseful mood.

First person as used in 'Then and Now ' allows the reader to intimately relate to the poets grief and loss. "I have seen corroboree where that factory belches smoke." First person gives a sense of intimacy, authenticity and personal hardship. Readers can 't help but feel responsible for the poets grief and
Through the use of characterisation the main character Holland is portrayed as a county loving bushman. This such characterisation reveals the outback farmer and agricultural driven perspective of the Australian identity.

Like the multiculturalism and diversity of the Australian society, the common ground that links our nation is that we are all equally Australian, similarily like the hundreds of eucalyptus species they each- regardless of their differences- are all equally beautifull Eucalyptus trees. The eucalyrtus trees mentioned in Bails novel represent a diverse togetherness, symbolic of our Australian multicultural identity. "A person could wonder amongst the many different species and pick up a lot of information, at the same time be enthralled by the clear examples of beauty."The poem 'Nobody Calls me a Wog Anymore ' is a passionate, fiery and forceful view of the Australian identity written from the perspective of the Greek imigrant Kimninos. The poem presents a multicultural image to Australia 's identity in highlighting a man fighting for acceptance and an identity in a land now known for its cultural