In The Park By Gwen Harwood Essay

Is ‘In The Park’ a condemnation of motherhood?

In the poem, ‘In The Park’, Harwood explores the joys and demands of childhood. Throughout this poem, we learn about a presumably single mother with her three children. The scene is set without much description, as if it is empty of life and devoid of colour. Each of the members of this family are identified only by the actions or lack of. Her children are playing mindlessly in the dirt. The mother is being pestered constantly. Although she loves her children dearly, she is getting drained by them. In the course of this poem the mother is shown in many lights. But is ‘In The Park’ a condemnation of motherhood?

The joys of motherhood is shown all the way through this poem. The mother has gone to the effort of organising this and she lets the children play. “It’s so sweet to hear their chatter…” Here Harwood is showing how the mother appreciates looking after the children and hearing them learn and talk. She loves

As if she has lost her sense of individuality: the children have taken it away from her unknowingly. In the first line in the first stanza, Harwood states how the Mother’s clothes are out of date. This indicates that the she has no time for herself, because she has to look after her three children. The scene surrounding this line is quite cold and quiet. There is no colour or energy. Soon after, a past lover walks by, alas, too late. They exchange pleasantries and a casual nod. “Time holds great surprises.” Says the man, indicating that he did not expect her to end up like this. This could have been the perfect opportunity to leave her past self behind and start anew. But she cannot because of her responsibilities towards her children. She regrets leaving him and choosing this life of motherhood. The mother has lost herself in her children. Her love for life is gone. She loves her children but to what