Context and Stylistic Elements
Name the text that the poems for study came from.
Inside My Mother
Explain the structure of 'Trance'.
- Divided into two sections.
- First section in reality, second section in memory.
Explain the thematic connection between 'Leaves' and 'Key'.
- Family
- Lost culture / Stolen Generation
"Let's dig up the soil and excavate the past"
Identify one technique from this extract.
- Imperative commands
- Metaphor
- Symbolism
- Inclusive language
Identify one reason for Ali Cobby Eckermann's lack of punctuation and grammar.
- Tools of oppressor
- When they are used, draws focus / indicates importance
- Simplifies message
- Something else Richo likes
"heat is the love of the campfire / the yellow kiss of the sun"
"hunched in her possum skin cloak / the dawn breeze chills"
Explain the connection between these two quotes from Trance.
- Temperature
- Harsh reality vs Warm and comforting memory
"will the leaves turn golden"
Explain the significance of this statement.
- Leaves represent stories, traits, history, culture.
- Leaves aging, stories disappearing.
- Golden = value, things of value being passed on.
"wind can no longer stir / movement at the playground" "equipment is rusted shut" "creak of the gate is silent"
Explain the reason for using such stationary imagery.
- Town is abandoned
- Nature is rebelling against them
- Aboriginal people are themselves 'stuck in place' due to actions of gov
Identify one common feature in the poems of Ali Cobby Eckermann.
- Lack of punctuation
- Often tercet structure
- Natural Imagery
- Aboriginal Terminology
Give one example of contrast used in the poem 'Eyes'.
- "wonder or contempt"
- "soothe or sting"
- Structure of poem.
What is the reason for using such heavy personification in this narrative?
- Connection with nature, Aboriginal motif
- Tree is aging, just like father
- Family tree, pun
- Other answer that Richo liked
"a hot wind whips up dust storms / we glimpse warriors in the mirrage"
"but unlike a storm cannot pass by / hysterical energy whips and wails, and wails"
Explain how weather is used in both of the poems?
- Weather used to show problems and features of the past. Warriors look to rise, and the hysterical energy of the townsfolk cannot be abated.
In what ways does Ali Cobby Eckermann inhabit 'two worlds'?
- Aboriginal poet, member of the Stolen Generation
- Member of Lutheran adoptive family, still maintains close connection with them
"a whisper inside her trance / the sound of instinct"
Explain the similarity between these two quotes from the texts.
- Both act as the 'volta' for the poem, and cause the shift in perspective.
- Both create an opportunity for reflection in the persona.
"faint hint of smoke"
"slight crackling of fire"
"water trickle past her toes"
Why has the natural imagery in 'Key' been described in such soft terms?
- Soothing, calming connection.
- Not as strong of a connection with natural roots / bio grandmother / culture
- Fading memory
Contrast the tone used in both poems.
- Unearth, upbeat and forceful. Anger, commanding.
- Oombulgurri, sad and stationary, despondent, grief
To what extent does Ali Cobby Eckermann's language reflect her identity and culture? Give one examples.
- Answers may vary, but should be 'strong'
In what ways do the two poems challenge narratives and stereotypes?
- Women not just receptive, active in their actions.
- Own stories beyond that of men.
- Aboriginal culture diverse, not homogeneous.
- Colonial narratives of receptive populous.
In what way do these poems challenge or affirm cultural values?
- Importance of family
- Not all good, not all bad. Most is stories.
- Loss is core component, but not the focal point
- Something Richo missed
How do both poems seek to disrupt Australian narratives?
- Aboriginal people expected to cop it
- Weak and feeble, prepared to lay down
- Past is to be forgotten, not fought for.