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In this chapter the broad range of Aboriginal verse is examined to illustrate the diversity and talent of contemporary Black Australian poets. Shoemaker argues that any dismissal of Aboriginal poetry as simply propaganda is inaccurate and unfair. Aboriginal poetry ranges from the overtly political to celebrations of nature. The political stance of the writers is considered as well as the particular social conditions in which the writers live - and which they often address in their work. The works of Aboriginal poets Jack Davis, Kevin Gilbert, Colin Johnson, Lionel Fogarty and Aileen Corpus are examined. To emphasise the distinctive elements of writing produced by Aboriginal poets, Shoemaker provides a brief comparison to the work of selected white poets, Les Murray and Bruce Dawe. He also demonstrates the Fourth World dimension and increasingly oral predisposition of Australian Aboriginal verse by contrasting it with the poetry of contemporary Canadian Indian writers.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Last amended 28 Feb 2011 17:39:57
179-229
The Poetry of Politics : Australian Aboriginal Verse
Subjects:
- We Are Going : Poems 1962 selected work poetry
- The Dawn Is at Hand 1966 selected work poetry
- The First-Born and Other Poems 1970 selected work poetry
- Jagardoo : Poems from Aboriginal Australia 1977 selected work poetry
- End of Dream-Time 1971 selected work poetry
- People are Legends 1971 single work poetry
- The Song Circle of Jacky and Selected Poems 1986 selected work poetry
- Kargun 1980 selected work poetry
- Yoogum Yoogum 1982 selected work poetry
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