Analysis Of Bruce Dawe's 'Televistas'

Donald ‘Bruce Dawe’ encountered various career paths, greatly influencing his phycological and emotional beliefs. His works illustrate the extensive life experiences of which he endured. Dawe’s works are the focus point of ideas such as; love, consumerism, seclusion and the values of a man. The ideas in Dawes poem were relatable during the contextual years and relate to modern audiences; with themes such as consumerism and love. The poem Televistas’ focuses on the effects of consumerism on love, using the influence of Television to argue this; with juxtapositions of characters also metaphors; Homo Suburbanesis showcases a stereotypical mans values in a couplet to close the poem and using sensory imagery emphasises the asphyxiation of city life

on nature.
Showcased in Homo Suburbanesis is the conflicting social environments of urban and rural life. The protagonist of the poem; personified as an elderly man contrasts the disruptive filthy city with his small garden within his yard, where he finds happiness. “Smelling the smoke of someone’s rubbish” uses alliterate sensory imagery to create a realism of the sickening city scape. Sensory imagery is also used in the forth stanza where the sounds of city life are highlighted “hearing a dog, a kid, a far whisper of traffic” addressing present issues such as pollution, instilling that city life can have silent and deadly consequences; depicting city life in a negative fashion. The charm of nature is juxtaposed with sensory imagery; “smells of tomato vines” and “tendrils of pumpkin flourish” this encompasses the joyful atmosphere enjoyed by the man in his little oasis surrounded by the asphyxiating city abroad. Dawe routinely uses sensory imagery though-out Homo Suburbanesis to successfully juxtapose the natural element of life with urban living to argue that things are changing for the worse due to the evolution of cities.
Homo Suburbanesis highlights a mans love for his garden. The elderly protagonist seeks seclusion in his garden oasis, screening his simple life from the extraordinary evolving city surrounding him. Dawe uses formal scientific language in the title “Homo Suburbanesis” suggesting the audience is studying something. “One constant in a world of variables” proposes the study of the protagonist and his efforts to remain the same in a changing environment, showing the perspective of the man also addressing his distaste for the transformation. The metaphor “tomato vines” and “tendrils of pumpkin”, highlight the strength of man when faced with hardships; thus, supported by lushes’ pumpkin and tomato plants producing in an agitated urban environment. “A man alone in the evening in his patch of vegetables” implies that the garden in the man’s retreat, where he contemplates the happenings outside his oasis. Sensory imagery is used additionally to promote the protagonist’s vulnerability and confusion highlighting empathy and joyfulness. Evident through the poem is a love theme; in which another of Dawe’s works Televistas is indisputably the common theme.

Televistas showcases a classic love story with a romantic satire; with each stanza of the poem outlining distinct stages of love i.e.

meeting, fighting, reconciliation. Dawe juxtaposes the characters with a metaphor “she was Sanyo-orientated”” He was Rank-arena bred”. The juxtaposition of the persona described with the metaphor suggest two very different backgrounds; like that of the Shakespearean Love classic Romeo and Juliet; Two characters of which have conflicting backgrounds yet still manage to uphold a passionate relationship. “A faulty tube led to their meeting” suggests the man may be repairing the TV also a fateful situation has brought them together; falling in love with the good Samaritan; having the woman propose he stay while with her “’watch me a while;’ she said …”. Dawe also uses visual imagery to explore the romantic genre. “They fell in love and shared a samboy crunching in the afterglow” creates a mental image of a romantic movie where two lovers relax together watching the sunset. Dawe climaxes the poem with a fight between the characters, in the fifth stanza where the two contest the program wished to be viewed; either “Candid camera” or “Twist and shout”. As with every classical love story the poem concludes with a typical

reconciliation.
The influence of television on our daily life and love is prominent through-out the poem; Dawe acquaints the audience with consumerism.

Televistas is relatable to modern audiences as it depicts common love stories shown on television in present day portraying the same plot. Dawe raises awareness here, highlighting the influence of television and how we have changed consequently. Dawe’s argument is raised with “Fortunes smiled between commercials” detailing his revolt of televised advertisements. Coincidingly “dreams were swapped, and futures planned” suggests the powerful negative influence of television on our lives; encouraging the purchase of irrelevant materials. The use of big brand tags such as “Samboy” and “Cheezels” implements the idea of increased consumerism of fashionable items, due to televised advertising. Dawe instinctively sets the names of products e.g. ‘Samboy’ to emphasise the perceived value of a product on television, inferring toward the increase of consumerism within the

listeners.
Dawes various life experiences greatly shaped the way he viewed society, as shown by his poetic works. Dawe uses poems such as Televistas and Homo Suburbanesis to convey important ideas to his audience. Weather it was in the contextual years of the poems the 1960’s – 70’s or new audiences; the ideas Dawe outlines such as love, consumerism, seclusion and the values of a man are still relatable. Using visual imagery, juxtaposition and metaphors Televistas outlines the influence of television on our daily life particularly love, supporting the influence of a changing environment on a mans love for his garden, in Homo Suburbanesis Dawe uses formal scientific language, sensory imagery and alliteration to highlight the mans values and his dependency on his garden for happiness.