Poetry Analysis of 'the Dawn Is at Hand' by Kath Walker
Poetry Analysis of 'The Dawn Is At Hand' by Kath Walker
Dark brothers, first Australian race,
Soon you will take you rightful place
In the brotherhood long waited for,
Fringe -dwellers no more.
Sore, sore the tears you shed
When hope seemed folly and justice dead.
Was the long night weary? Look up, dark band,
The dawn is at hand
Go forward proudly and unafraid
To your birth-right all too long delayed,
For soon now the shame of the past
Will be over at last.
You will be welcomed mateship-wise
In industry and in enterprise;
No profession will bar the door,
Fringe-dwellers no more.
Dark and white upon common ground
In club and office and social round,
Yours the feel of a friendly land
The grip of the hand
Sharing the same equality
In college and university,
All ambitions of hand or brain
Yours to attain.
For ban and bias will soon be gone,
The future beckons you bravely on
To art and letters and nation lore,
Fringe-dwellers no more
What is the theme of the poem?
The main theme of the poem is a coming of a time were Indigenous Australians are not discriminated and are treated equally to white Australians.
Who is the speaker/voice of the poem?
The speaker/voice in this poem is the author herself Oodgeroo Noonuccal, and it is also written in second person.
What does the poem tell us about this experience (theme)? Give examples of words, phrases, or images to explain your response.
The poem tells us that the indigenous Australians experienced much prejudice, discrimination and racism in their quest for equal rights, but that the struggle would be well worth the benefits of gaining a brighter future. The phrase “Fringe-dwellers no more” confirms that by gaining equal rights they are no longer be displaced in their own country.
What image does the poem convey to you?
To me, this poem conveys an image of growing hope and desire for a better future among the indigenous Australians. The poem is very inspiring and
Dark brothers, first Australian race,
Soon you will take you rightful place
In the brotherhood long waited for,
Fringe -dwellers no more.
Sore, sore the tears you shed
When hope seemed folly and justice dead.
Was the long night weary? Look up, dark band,
The dawn is at hand
Go forward proudly and unafraid
To your birth-right all too long delayed,
For soon now the shame of the past
Will be over at last.
You will be welcomed mateship-wise
In industry and in enterprise;
No profession will bar the door,
Fringe-dwellers no more.
Dark and white upon common ground
In club and office and social round,
Yours the feel of a friendly land
The grip of the hand
Sharing the same equality
In college and university,
All ambitions of hand or brain
Yours to attain.
For ban and bias will soon be gone,
The future beckons you bravely on
To art and letters and nation lore,
Fringe-dwellers no more
What is the theme of the poem?
The main theme of the poem is a coming of a time were Indigenous Australians are not discriminated and are treated equally to white Australians.
Who is the speaker/voice of the poem?
The speaker/voice in this poem is the author herself Oodgeroo Noonuccal, and it is also written in second person.
What does the poem tell us about this experience (theme)? Give examples of words, phrases, or images to explain your response.
The poem tells us that the indigenous Australians experienced much prejudice, discrimination and racism in their quest for equal rights, but that the struggle would be well worth the benefits of gaining a brighter future. The phrase “Fringe-dwellers no more” confirms that by gaining equal rights they are no longer be displaced in their own country.
What image does the poem convey to you?
To me, this poem conveys an image of growing hope and desire for a better future among the indigenous Australians. The poem is very inspiring and