Gwen Harwoods poetry encapsulates human experiences as both timeless and integral to

the formation of our present perceptions. From a modern perspective, I can appreciate her
exploration of universal themes, as it has enabled her poetry to appeal through time and
consequently achieves textual integrity by resonating with contemporary audience. Her
poem The Violets examines the significance of memory as a means to fuse the innocence of
childhood and the present, while Father and Child touches upon the transience of life to
illustrate inventible nature of death. (Comment about question )

Time is an inevitable factor of life, which can only be reflected upon through
memory. Gwen Harwood explores this concept in her influential poem the violets, which
masterfully explores a childs loss of innocence to the unforgiving nature of time. The
poem unfolds with a reflective tone towards the transience of childhood, which is exposed
through the fragility of melancholy flowers. Harwoods reference to her hometown
mitchelton provides an autobiographical outlook to the poem linking it to early life.
She skillfully highlights her own experiences with the constant she could not grasp
through the motif of violets, which act as a catalyst for memories. Furthermore, The link to
the forgotten is emphasized through the monosyllabic sentences during the indented
portions of the poem, which reminisce the ambiguous memories of childhood. Moreover,
The narrator personifies time and presents it as a fiend who stole hours of unreturning
light from her young and innocent counterpart. Looking at this through a psychoanalytic
lens reveals the fragility of the young mind and the inability to understand that years
cannot move. However, the narrator refuge in her past is embodied through the
alliteration showing that not even deaths disorientating scale (can) distort the lamp lit
presences of her memory. This leads one to agree with Elizabeth Lawson as she states
that (hardwoods) work pursues the major theme of continuity of psyche through
memory which reinforces the psychoanalytic projection of the piece. Harwoods
influential exploration of time and memory in the violets ultimately shapes the
readers outlook on the abstract concepts of life.

Harwoods poem the violets explores several more empowering concepts including
how the progression of age discards innocence, replacing it with experience. This is
introduced through the concept of childhood uncertainty presented through the direct
speech wheres morning gone?, highlighting the universal innocence of youth.
Furthermore, the arrogant nature of childhood is imposed through the paradoxical refusal
to be comforted by the romantic magnificence of the sweet violets. In contrast, the
progression of the poem introduces the childs newfound understanding, which Harwood
highlights through the religious allusion of reconciliation . This shows the childs mature
understanding of the events granting her roots of experience. However, there is still a
constant sense of uncertainty which Harwood addresses through the inconsistent rhyme
scheme and the cyclic nature of the poem beginning and ending with the simple scent of
violets. Harwood emphasizes these links to nature by categorizing herself as a romantic
and encouraging readers to have a romantic outlook on her poetry. This is visible through
the bird motif where the indifferent black birds are juxtaposed to the calling curlews ,
symbolizing the narrators youthful attachment to nature, which has dwindled as a
consequence of senile experience. The violets influences a readers understanding of
experience and its ability to impact the innocence of childhood, by implementing a
plethora of finely woven poetic techniques.


Knowledge and maturity cannot be attained without the loss of innocence. This
notion is exemplified through Harwoods seminal text, Father and Child, entailing a
protagonist child falling into the complexities of life and death as a result of her voluntary
actions. The barn owl stanzas unfold with the structural elements of iambic tri-meter in
conjunction with simple monosyllabic sentences, establishing a world of childhood
innocence and simplicity. However, the rapid juxtaposition of imagery between horny
fiend and angel mind religiously alludes to the sinister experiences causing the childs
scope to widen and understanding to increase. Furthermore, the protagonists identity and
individuality is heightened through the ironic metaphor where he portrays himself as a
wisp haired judge. This temporary authority is drawn to an abrupt conclusion through
the fragmented sentence I fired, showing the narrator that death is not clean and final
but rather prolonging and painful. The transition climaxes as the blank eyes shone into
(hers), placing an emphasis on the loss of childhood innocence and realization of
mortality.. These realizations are accentuated through a psychoanalytic outlook, suggesting
how the innocent nature of childhood is set to an abrupt end through the penchant violence
of life. A psychoanalytical analysis of the motif of sight also enables the readers to
understand the conscious mindset of childhood through the misunderstood eyes that did
not mirror (his) cruelty.

Moreover, (link to question) is continually expressed within Harwoods pieces,
demonstrating how ones experiences encapsulate a growing awareness of an
inevitable mortality. Prominently found within father and childs [nightfall], the
protagonist is portrayed in a changing state as her knowledge develops an acceptance of
mortality influenced by her fathers impending death. We come to understand the fathers
previously established influence on his daughter, through the inter-textual reference to
king Lear stating that theres no more to taste, ripeness is plainly all. This reference
insinuates the profound experiences and achievements the daughter has accomplished
with her father, educing emotions relating to their finite relationship. However, the
personas awareness of mortality is embodied as she pretends that death (is) no more
than sleep . The juxtaposition of death and sleep is strengthened by enjambment, hence
emphasizing the protagonists acceptance of the finite nature of time. Ultimately, the fine
line between life and death is mimicked to evoke pathos within the metaphor a string near
breaking point, Harwood thus compelling our acceptance of mortality. Furthermore, a
Christian reading of this text allows the reader to perceive death as the beginning of a new
life by alluding to the ambiance of Adam and Eve through the quote, father, we pick up
our last fruits. Harwood explores how maturity develops a greater appreciation of
the cyclical nature of life and unavoidable constant of death by implementing a
diverse range of masterful techniques in her work.