TRANCE
Who is the main protagonist in 'Trance'?
An old woman with a close connection to her land. Her identity is shaped by her connection to Country.
What does the poem 'eyes' mostly explore?
It explores identity through the extended metaphor of eyes.
What is the poem 'leaves' mostly about?
A poem about paternal parentage (a person's lineage or descent from their father)
What type of relationship does 'key' explore?
The relationship between a girl and her grandmother.
What was Eckermann's intention/purpose behind 'unearth'?
The poem is a call to action to uncover the past and its truth for a collective Australian identity
What is the 1st part of the poem focused on?
The 1st part comprises two stanzas describing the woman, who becomes increasingly immersed in her natural surrounds and enters a trance
Who is the main persona of the poem and what challenge does she face?
She explores a female persona’s navigation of identity for survival, asking “which eyes will she need for today?”
The persona is faced with the challenge: how will she see the world?
The persona’s identity is shaped by her father- even in his absence
What extended metaphor does Eckermann use in 'key' and what does it convey?
The poem relies on the ‘door’ as an extended metaphor that simultaneously conveys their closeness (the grandmother is on the other side of the door) but also their distance (the girl cannot cross the threshold because the door can’t be opened by her).
What does the poem 'unearth' emphasise and what does it challenge?
The poem affirms the richness of Australia’s Aboriginal history, but also challenges the prevailing practice of celebrating predominantly Anglo-Saxon achievements in Australia.
It disrupts the dominant narrative and sheds light on the denial about truth
What is the 2nd part of the poem focused on?
The second part explores the memories evoked by this trance, which serve to assert her strength despite the loss of her male partner
What is the significance of 'eyes' becoming a metaphor?
The ‘eyes’ become a metaphor to suggest that identity is actively chosen and performed, giving the persona power despite the suggestion of a troubled past
What question des Eckermann prompt her audiences to wonder about emotional distance following the events of the Stolen Generation?
Eckermann prompts her audiences to wonder if it is possible for them to reconnect despite the time and emotional distance between them.
Define 'magical realism'
Magical realism: A genre that depicts the real world as having fantastic, magical or unexpected attributes
What is the significance of the use of inclusive language in 'unearth'?
It fosters a sense of unity and collective identity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Why is nature personified in the poem 'Trance'?
This highlights its significance, almost as if having its own identity. It maintains Indigenous culture and gives power to nature.
It illustrates an intrinsic change in the woman. She is no longer submissive, but instead bold and confronting. She makes an empowering choice
What are the leaves symbolically representative of?
The leaves are a symbolic representation of what her father has passed down to her. They are cultural values, cultural connection and memories her father passed down to her.
What is symbolic about the act of the girl standing outside the door?
It symbolises the memories and community she was unable to access as a child.
What is the poem 'Oombulgari' is an elegy about?
The poem is an elegy about an episode involving the destruction of a community in Western Australia
What is the significance of the juxtaposing imagery in, "the hardness of the trunks//and the softness of bark"?
It parallels cultural perceptions. From a distance, Indigenous culture is often misunderstood, as is the “hardness of the trunks,” however with increased understanding comes empathy or “softness.”
Why does Eckermann separate the woman from her eyes through the use of 3rd person POV?
She uses this to show that the poem is not specifically about her or the Aboriginal community. The impact of this is it allows the poem to be open for interpretation. It also emphasises that they have lost their identity due to their past experiences.
What connection does Eckermann make between memories and an individual's sense of identity?
Memory, stories and shared history shape an individual's sense of personal identity.
- Reminds individuals of what they’ve overcome, what they value, and what experiences have mattered most
- Shared history connects individuals to a broader collective, such as a cultural group, nation, or community
What is the unknown tune in,
"two kindred spirits swaying their feet//
as if in rhythm to an unknown tune"
The unknown tune represents the spiritual connection that ties them together. Symbolic of unspoken traditions or cultural heritage that bind them together.
What is the significance of the single use of comma and truncated language in, "broken, even the creak of the gate is silent"?
The lone comma and truncated language of “broken” creates a sad pause that holds immense grief and defeat.