In the Park by Gwen Harwood

In the park " by "Gwen Harwood" Analysis

"In the park" by "Gwen Harwood" is a famous poem.

The title of the poem 'In The Park' immediately gives us an image of the geographical landscape in which the poem is set in. "In the park" is a sonnet attempting to show the negative effects of love where the woman's life has been crushed basically because of her own children and how love is no longer present in her life .

The lady in this poem, has no identity; her name, where she came from, none of her background is mentioned. Which than we wonder if Gwen Harwood has actually characterized the lady with no identity purposely, so therefore it can be portrayed through every women's life after marriage, with children. Where as a mother she loses her oen life and sacrafises for her kids. The place is set in the park, the stereotypical of a park is quiet, mundane, boring place. Where she is alone quiet with the kids, her clothes out of date.

There is a metaphor of sorts in "From his neat head unquestionably rises a small balloon" which means ''He thinks'; cartoonists show thoughts in thought bubbles, this doesn't happen in real life. " ... but for the grace of God ..." is an example of an elliptical. It is also an example of cliché. 'rehearsing' is another metaphor. The idea here is that the people pretend that they are interested in each other's children, but really they are just making noises to be sociable. 'They have eaten me alive.' is hyperbole. The woman in the poem thinks that her children have ruined her life for her.