In ‘Emporium’, Gwen Harwood uses an extended metaphor to explore how women are presented with an illusion of choice, but are ultimately shamed and pressured into making choices that align with society’s ideals. By beginning the poem with a...

Individuals who have experienced an unconventional or life-altering event will inevitably face the judgments of broader society, hence dictating whether such individuals feel a truly valid sense of belonging. This concept of the significance of...

Through the overcoming of past obstacles, a journey may be a catalyst towards the broadening of one’s understanding of the world. Gwen Harwood’s poem Father and Child explore new understandings of mortality engendered by a transformed perspective,...

The human experience is dependent on the memories that allow the understanding of time and the transition from youth to maturation, inevitably ending in death. Gwen Harwood’s poem ‘The Violets’ provides an understanding of life’s association with...