FREE ESSAY ON MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

As I walked into the lecture hall, I saw people ranging from the literary community's
elite to high school students. Taking my seat, the crowd hushed as a rather distinguished
looking man walked to the podium. The man prepared his notes and I waited silently in awe
of his presence, anticipating his words of wisdom. I knew this was a gentleman who knew
what he was talking about - that is, until he opened his mouth.
My first impressions of Professor Dunne, a visiting literary critic, were torn to shreds
over the few hours at Griffith University's lecture hall as I listened to him criticise
Australian poetry. I was stunned to hear the comments of this man (who had graced our
shores only a few hours earlier) - a man who dared to enlighten the Australian literary
community of the fact that our nation's poetry superficial and idiomatic. Needless to
say, I was not the only one who was not impressed.
Australian poetry has often been regarded as a stimulating portrayal of the Australian
people and their surroundings. Its attention to detail for capturing the characteristics
of Australia is one of the key strengths of our poetry. Yet, according to Dunne's
comments, Australian poetry lacks a "universal" appeal. While he shared his thoughts, it
was his opinion that Australian poetry is too idiomatic and lacks a concern for mankind
in general.
When Dunne commented on the 'idiomatic' nature of Australian poetry, I was rather
perplexed at what he meant. Nevertheless, I assumed the intended meaning was to infer
narrowness in language and content, indicating that you need to be Australian to
appreciate the poetry.
If we trace the history of Australian poetry, we can see that it ranges from the early
bush poetry of yesteryear through to the poetry of today. The vast variety and styles of
poetry between these two cannot be stereotyped together. To say that all Australian
poetry lacks a universal appeal is to make a sweeping statement. However, if one were to
try to find a link in an attempt to unite Australian poetry, the median would be the work
of Kenneth Slessor. Slessor is considered by the majority of the general literary public
to be Australia's first modern poet. However, while a modernistic style emanates from his
work, a certain Edwardian approach is retained, blending the two worlds. This combination
of past and present pedestals Slessor's work as a classic example of Australian poetry.
Through his work, Slessor manages to embody the spirit and culture of the Australian
nation, while still managing to keep the very essence of universal issues within his
lyrics.
It is difficult to label what exactly is meant by a "universal issue". If one takes into
account all the definitions of such a term, it becomes apparent that the definition of a
"universal issue" is simply a matter of perspective. Nothing is more universal than the
idea of perspective and, perhaps by coincidence, perspective is a recurring issue in
Slessor's works - most prominently in the forms of time, life and the connection between
the two.
Slessor's poetry repeatedly returns to the notion of time as ever moving in and out of
our ever-changing lives. Through many different viewpoints, Slessor observes the world
and how time influences our lives. This is highlighted in Out Of Time, one of Slessor's
better-known pieces, which takes us through the journey of life with time at our side.
"I and the moment laugh, and let him go,
Leaning against the golden undertow" (Out Of Time)
Out Of Time acknowledges time's influence and throughout the poem, the viewpoint shifts
from one who disputes Time's interference in life to a view where Time is a companion who
guides us along.
Further development of the diversity of time's effect on life is portrayed in Two
Chronometers, which depicts the contrast of the European and Australian Aboriginal
approach to time previously.
"One ticked fast and one ticked slow,
And Time went over them a hundred years ago."
While two perspectives on the use of Time are taken up, the poem's last line (as shown
above) indicates that they have no real control over time - whether they do things at a
fast or slow pace, Time controls them.
Similar concerns for the matter of perspective are brought into focus in Beach Burial. As
in Two Chronometers, two perspectives are taken in the situation. In Beach Burial, there
is perhaps a bitter irony presented that no matter which side of a war one is on, all the
participants end up washed up on the shores for eternity while time passes by.
In direct contrast, however, William Street focuses not on time as a means of conveying
the idea of perspective, it takes raw reality and shows how the poet sees beyond the
stereotype. It is in much the same way that the imagery of the poem captures the
stereotype that Dunne captures what he believes to be the stereotypical nature of
Australian poetry. However, as shown in Slessor's works, Australian poetry is not all
idiomatic statements and descriptions of the Outback. There is an added depth. There are
no other issues that are more universal than time and life. Both are eternal,
interweaving and more universal than Professor Dunne can ever hope to comprehend.