S.M.I.L.

E Poetry Analysis
Instructions:
Students are to use the S.M.I.L.E analysis table below to analyse at least two poems from the Indigenous Anthology.
Students must try to answer as many questions as possible and provide evidence by using direct “quotes”.

Title of Poem The stolen Generation Poet’s name David Keig

Explanation Questions to ask yourself Student responses

*Use these explanations to help understand poetic technique. *Use these questions as prompts and try to answer as *Write as many responses to the questions here. Try
many as possible. to reference as many “quotes” as possible

1. When was the poem written? What cultural or The Stolen Generation was written by David Keig.
S – Subject matter political events were current at the time? What is Keig loved writing poems. He used to write poetry
the background of the author? Does the title allude at school back in the 60s and then somehow lost
to anything specific? the habit. He then wrote the poem Stolen
The subject matter of a poem refers to what topic, theme or information, the author is discussing.
Generation and published it on the 22nd of October,
2. Does the poem make specific references to
To understand what themes or issues are being discussed it is important to identify the following: 2007. The poem is based on its name and raises
anything? Do the figurative language techniques
allude to anything specific? awareness of the time Aboriginals were dominated
 Context – In order to understand specific themes of a poem, or what issue the poet might be addressing, it and colonized. The poem uses evocative language
can be helpful to understand the circumstances in which the poems are created. Often texts are influenced to give the reader an understanding of the severe
3. Is there an obvious call to action, or directly stated
by the world and environment around the authors, including cultural, social, political, etc. circumstances that Aboriginal people were
“argument”?
exposed to during the time of the ‘Stolen
 Reference – Often texts will make specific reference to the issues they are addressing, or make reference
Generation’.
to similar events/ideas/circumstances. These references could be in the form of similes or metaphors, or
even making direct parallels to specific events/situations/themes, etc.

 Directly stated information – Sometimes a poem may be very direct in its meaning and the theme or point
will be obvious. The title can sometimes include the exact meaning without the use of figurative language,
and with some forms of poetry, particularly protest poetry, the poet may have a clear “call to action”
within the poem.

1. What is the mood of your poem? Use the Mood The Stolen Generation invokes a mood of guilt and
M – Mood Wheel Word Doc to help you. shame on Australians behalf by using powerful
language. Keig describes his life as ‘harsh and
2. Why do you think that the poet has chosen that ruthless’ to make the reader feel awful and guilty.
The mood and atmosphere of the poem refers to the general feeling or emotion that the reader experiences
mood and how does it affect you are feeling about
during or after reading a poem. He was forced to ‘scrub away his blackness’ which
the subject (what the poem is about)?
also makes the reader feel powerless.
The mood is created by the poet’s tone, and the language, imagery and sound of the poem.
Why he used these types of mood
The tone of the poem reflects the attitude of the poet towards the subject matter.

For instance, if the poet uses depressing words like ‘lament’ and ‘worry’ and also uses imagery such as rainclouds
or references depressing colours such as the colour grey the reader would feel the same way. This could also be
reinforced by the story or events that the poem recounts. For instance, a funeral and by the sounds (‘the moaned
and coughed tearless sighs) that are reference or the imagery or setting (pale complexion, skull, rain).

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 1. Are there original and striking examples of The most powerful use of imagery in this poem is its
I – Imagery imagery – symbols, similes, metaphors and /or confronting use of personification. Keig used
personification that help build a vivid picture in personification to ‘Scrub away your blackness’ as you
the reader’s mind? can’t scrub away the colour of your skin. “The scrubbing
Imagery refers to the images (pictures) that are created in the mind of the reader while reading a poem. Visual
didn’t make me white." The use of imagery in
imagery is the most powerful way to communicate the theme or idea that the poet wishes to convey (show).
2. Are there symbols which are commonly "scrubbing" allows audiences to visualize the scenario
understood which help to bring meaning to the happening. The use of "make me white" gives us a
The four main ways of doing this are through:
poem? For example, the dove is a universal sense of racism and how being "white" was more
symbol for peace. If it is injured in the poem, it valued and valid. "I was made to feel ashamed you see,
 Similes - When two things are directly compared using ‘like’ or ‘as’ (e.g. ‘she ate like a bird’; ‘he was as
may mean that peace has been disrupted. Of being just what I am.” The use of "ashamed" is an
quiet as a mouse’)
emotive metaphor to make Aboriginals feel ashamed of
 Metaphors - another (e.g. ‘his mood was a black storm’ ; ‘the sea is a hungry dog’)
3. How does the poem appeal to the senses – sight, their culture and being who they are. They were taught
 Personification - Describing non-human things – animals, objects or ideas – as though they were human
touch, smell, sound, feel? and manipulated into thinking they were inferior and
(e.g. ‘the sun smiled’; ‘the house sagged, bored and lonely’)
less valid, and that it was better being white. This gives
 Symbolism - When an object, character, animal, place, or colour is used to represent a deeper idea or
4. Are there key ideas or images that are repeated audiences a deeper look into the power the white
concept (e.g. white as a symbol of weddings in western culture, of mourning in others; the raven as a
throughout the poem? people had and how they abused it.
symbol of death).

Students should refer to the Imagery and Language – POPSMARS Word Document for additional help.
1. What sort of words does the poet use to convey Keig uses a range of language in this poem to impact
L – Language the message? Are there any emotive words that the reader in The Stolen Generation. The language used
stand out? in this poem are repetition, alliteration and emotive
words. The use of repetition in describing how ‘I
Language refers to the poetic devices such as similes, metaphors and personification to reveal the thoughts and
2. What impact do these emotive words have on the scrubbed and scrubbed my body’ reveals how the white
feelings. However, it also refers to the use of sound devices, such as alliteration, onomatopoeia and repetition and
reader? people were trying everything to get rid of the black
the use of emotive (powerful) nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs.
race. Alliteration was used when keig said, ‘she was a
3. What significant sound features (assonance, big black woman.’ The use of emotive language was
All of these poetic devices help to reinforce the poem’s message and influence the reader as to how they should
alliteration, onomatopoeia) are there? used to describe how keig was ‘made to feel ashamed
think or feel.
you see, of being just what I am.’ This shows that he felt
4. What is the tone or attitude of the poet? What ashamed and sad of being black.
 Alliteration - When two or more words in a sequence begin with the same consonant (e.g. ‘Betty Botter
specific words reveal this feeling?
bought some butter…’ ‘laughing friends lounged lazily’).
 Assonance - When two or more words in a sequence repeat the same vowel sound (e.g. ‘How now brown
5. What effect do these have on the sound of the
cow?’ ‘child of silent time’).
poem? For example, alliteration of ‘s’ sound
 Emotive words - Words that create or influence the emotional response of the reader. These are nouns
suggests speed or smoothness; alliteration of ‘b’
(objects), adjectives (add emphasis to nouns), verbs (action words) and adverbs (add emphasis to verbs)
sounds slows the rhythm down and suggests a
that have a strong connotation (meaning) – whether they are positive or negative.
bluntness.
 Hyperbole - An excessive overstatement or exaggeration of fact.
 Onomatopoeia - A word that imitates the sound an object or action makes (e.g. ‘The boom of thunder’;
‘The drip, drip, dripping of the tap’).

Students should refer to the Imagery and Language – POPSMARS Word Document for additional help.
1. What was the poet’s message and were they
E – Evaluation successful in conveying his message? How?
2. What do you think was the poet’s purpose in
Evaluation refers to your overall thoughts and feelings as to whether the poem, though its use of structure, mood, writing this poem/What messages do they want
imagery and language was successful in conveying the poet’s message. the reader to understand?
The message is the lesson or value that the poet wants the reader to think or feel about after having read their 3. Who was the intended audience? How do you
poem. know?
David Keig has showcased his feelings towards the
behaviour that the white people treated the Indigenous
people. With the use of idioms, metaphors and similes
the composer really creates an image of struggle and
torment through the subects point-of-view. Towards the
end of the poem the composers use of language makes
the reader feel a sense of retribution and vengence.

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 Title of Poem A Song of Hope Poet’s name Oodgeroo Noonuccal

Explanation Questions to ask yourself Student responses

*Use these explanations to help understand poetic technique. *Use these questions as prompts and try to answer as *Write as many responses to the questions here. Try
many as possible. to reference as many “quotes” as possible

1. When was the poem written? What cultural or The poem A Song of Hope was written by
S – Subject matter political events were current at the time? What is Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker) in the 1960’s to
the background of the author? Does the title show the relief and new found hope when the
allude to anything specific? racism towards the aborginals by the English
The subject matter of a poem refers to what topic, theme or information, the author is discussing.
settlers slowly diminished in the 1960’s. This poem
2. Does the poem make specific references to
To understand what themes or issues are being discussed it is important to identify the following: was also written during the time the stolen
anything? Do the figurative language techniques
allude to anything specific? generation period was almost over.
 Context – In order to understand specific themes of a poem, or what issue the poet might be addressing, it
can be helpful to understand the circumstances in which the poems are created. Often texts are influenced
3. Is there an obvious call to action, or directly stated
by the world and environment around the authors, including cultural, social, political, etc.
“argument”?
 Reference – Often texts will make specific reference to the issues they are addressing, or make reference
to similar events/ideas/circumstances. These references could be in the form of similes or metaphors, or
even making direct parallels to specific events/situations/themes, etc.

 Directly stated information – Sometimes a poem may be very direct in its meaning and the theme or point
will be obvious. The title can sometimes include the exact meaning without the use of figurative language,
and with some forms of poetry, particularly protest poetry, the poet may have a clear “call to action”
within the poem.

1. What is the mood of your poem? Use the Mood A Song of Hope invokes a mood of powerful and
M – Mood Wheel Word Doc to help you. hopeful that the racism that the indigenous people
felt is slowly disappearing.A song of hope was
2. Why do you think that the poet has chosen that written to express racism in Australia and how
The mood and atmosphere of the poem refers to the general feeling or emotion that the reader experiences
mood and how does it affect you are feeling about
during or after reading a poem. much it affects people. The text itself is very
the subject (what the poem is about)?
emotive and powerful. This poem speaks
The mood is created by the poet’s tone, and the language, imagery and sound of the poem. optimistically of a brighter and fairer future for the
The tone of the poem reflects the attitude of the poet towards the subject matter. coming generations of Indigenous Australians.

For instance, if the poet uses depressing words like ‘lament’ and ‘worry’ and also uses imagery such as rainclouds
or references depressing colours such as the colour grey the reader would feel the same way. This could also be
reinforced by the story or events that the poem recounts. For instance, a funeral and by the sounds (‘the moaned
and coughed tearless sighs) that are reference or the imagery or setting (pale complexion, skull, rain).

This study source was downloaded by 100000859085770 from CourseHero.com on 12-25-2022 05:51:05 GMT -06:00

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 1. Are there original and striking examples of imagery The most powerful use of imagery in this poem is
I – Imagery – symbols, similes, metaphors and /or its confronting use of personification. Walker used
personification that help build a vivid picture in the personification to describe that ‘the world is
reader’s mind? waking’. Imagery is a very important feature for
Imagery refers to the images (pictures) that are created in the mind of the reader while reading a poem. Visual
imagery is the most powerful way to communicate the theme or idea that the poet wishes to convey (show). this poem. Some examples of Imagery are "dawn is
2. Are there symbols which are commonly
breaking" and "bound and frustrated". The
understood which help to bring meaning to the
The four main ways of doing this are through: purpose of imagery in this poem is to get the
poem? For example, the dove is a universal
symbol for peace. If it is injured in the poem, it audience to picture the story in their minds. This
 Similes - When two things are directly compared using ‘like’ or ‘as’ (e.g. ‘she ate like a bird’; ‘he was as makes them visually connected to the poem.
may mean that peace has been disrupted.
quiet as a mouse’)
 Metaphors - another (e.g. ‘his mood was a black storm’ ; ‘the sea is a hungry dog’)
3. How does the poem appeal to the senses – sight,
 Personification - Describing non-human things – animals, objects or ideas – as though they were human
touch, smell, sound, feel?
(e.g. ‘the sun smiled’; ‘the house sagged, bored and lonely’)
 Symbolism - When an object, character, animal, place, or colour is used to represent a deeper idea or
4. Are there key ideas or images that are repeated
concept (e.g. white as a symbol of weddings in western culture, of mourning in others; the raven as a
throughout the poem?
symbol of death).

Students should refer to the Imagery and Language – POPSMARS Word Document for additional help.
1. What sort of words does the poet use to convey Walker uses a variety of language techniques in the
L – Language the message? Are there any emotive words that poem A Song of Hope. There is assonance, such as
stand out? ‘the juster justice’. Some examples of alliteration
Language refers to the poetic devices such as similes, metaphors and personification to reveal the thoughts and are ‘Hate be hated’, ‘Mate ship meets’ ‘plan the
2. What impact do these emotive words have on the
feelings. However, it also refers to the use of sound devices, such as alliteration, onomatopoeia and repetition and promise’ and ‘The world is waking’. Alliteration has
reader?
the use of emotive (powerful) nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs. been used specifically in this context to create a
3. What significant sound features (assonance, useful audio effect to draw attention to the
All of these poetic devices help to reinforce the poem’s message and influence the reader as to how they should concept. Alliteration functions to make difficult
alliteration, onomatopoeia) are there?
think or feel. concepts easier to process. The repetition,
4. What is the tone or attitude of the poet? What particularly of ‘fathers' fathers’ and ‘children's
 Alliteration - When two or more words in a sequence begin with the same consonant (e.g. ‘Betty Botter
specific words reveal this feeling? children’ completes the circle and ensures that the
bought some butter…’ ‘laughing friends lounged lazily’).
sacrifice is recognized and appreciated. Repetition
 Assonance - When two or more words in a sequence repeat the same vowel sound (e.g. ‘How now brown
5. What effect do these have on the sound of the is specifically used here to repeat the point to get it
cow?’ ‘child of silent time’).
poem? For example, alliteration of ‘s’ sound stuck in
 Emotive words - Words that create or influence the emotional response of the reader. These are nouns
suggests speed or smoothness; alliteration of ‘b’
(objects), adjectives (add emphasis to nouns), verbs (action words) and adverbs (add emphasis to verbs)
sounds slows the rhythm down and suggests a
that have a strong connotation (meaning) – whether they are positive or negative.
bluntness.
 Hyperbole - An excessive overstatement or exaggeration of fact.
 Onomatopoeia - A word that imitates the sound an object or action makes (e.g. ‘The boom of thunder’;
‘The drip, drip, dripping of the tap’).

Students should refer to the Imagery and Language – POPSMARS Word Document for additional help.
1. What was the poet’s message and were they
E – Evaluation successful in conveying his message? How?
2. What do you think was the poet’s purpose in
Evaluation refers to your overall thoughts and feelings as to whether the poem, though its use of structure, mood, writing this poem/What messages do they want
imagery and language was successful in conveying the poet’s message. the reader to understand?
The message is the lesson or value that the poet wants the reader to think or feel about after having read their 3. Who was the intended audience? How do you
poem. know?
Kath Walker has wonderfully showcased her feeling of
hope and happiness towards the slowly disappearing
racism in direction to the Aboriginals throughout her
poem “a song of hope”. This has successfully positioned
the reader to see the suffering and relief that Kath has
been through and hopefully send the message to see
the aboriginals in a new, positive light.

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