what is the poem 'Homecomming' by Bruce Dawe about?

Question

This was a h/w question i need help

Answer 1

Hey Oli,

"In “Homecoming”, poet Bruce Dawe uses vivid visual and aural poetic techniques to construct his attitudes towards war. He creates a specifically Australian cultural context where soldiers have been fighting in a war in Vietnam, and the dead bodies flown home. However the poem has universal appeal in that the insensitivity and anonymity accorded to Precious lives reduced to body bags are common attitudes towards soldiers in all historical conflicts. Although Dawe makes several references to the Vietnam War, the sense of moral outrage at the futile, dehumanising aspects of war is a universal theme. He also speaks on behalf of the mute, dead soldiers who have no way of expressing their suffering and loss of hope. By “speaking for those who have no means of speaking”, Dawe ultimately exposes the brutal hopelessness of soldiers caught up in foreign conflicts and the shocking impact on families."


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Answer 2

Well this is quite a ride! Even tho' I hate the fact it seems Coventry is good for HH's work. So much consonance, rhyme, is it slant (God I am so ignorant) and for the length - kept my attention straight through and I found myself grinning. Humor and acerbic wit. I sure do miss him. Oh and for the record I have my own private Heaven - so HH can't disturb me about that. I will laugh my a55 off when I am there and he passes on his way to the store. I'll say - hey HH what are you doing in Heaven? And he'll say have you seen the deals here? You don't even need money!