Women in bush poetry

David Campbell · Post by **David Campbell** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:02 am

There's been quite a bit of input on the subject of blokedom of late, so it might be an opportune time to pose this question: which of our male traditional poets created the most evocative, effective portrait of women (or a woman)? There's no 'correct' answer, but there must be many opinions. For me, looking at individual characters, C. J. Dennis's Doreen stands out, but how about some other suggestions? Lawson, of course, wrote the brilliant short story The Drover's Wife, but let's stick to poetry here.

Cheers
David

keats · Post by **keats** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:21 am

I'm still a bit of a softy for Essex-Evans 'Women Of The West' and Barcroft Boakes 'Jims Whip' although one of the more contemporary ones I would rate highly as well, being Charlee Marshall's 'Vigil For A Highway Man'.

Neil

Stephen Whiteside · Post by **Stephen Whiteside** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:38 am

Ginger Mick's flame Rose is worth a look. She's a very different kettle of fish to Doreen, though.

Stephen Whiteside · Post by **Stephen Whiteside** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:41 am

May Carney in Lawson's 'Taking his Chance' is pretty memorable, too.

Neville Briggs · Post by **Neville Briggs** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:45 am

John Shaw Neilson's The Orange Tree.

Stephen Whiteside · Post by **Stephen Whiteside** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:47 am

Jenny Ross in 'The Fire at Ross's Farm' is also worth a mention. She's not a particularly memorable character, but she plays an important part in a very memorable poem.

The narrator in 'Andy's Gone With Cattle' and 'Andy's Return' would appear to be a woman.

Mother and daughters also feature in 'Scots of the Riverina', another classic Lawson poem.

Women feature prominently in a lot of Lawson's poems.

Stephen Whiteside · Post by **Stephen Whiteside** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:51 am

I also really like 'Polly Dibbs' from CJ Dennis' 'Book for Kids'.

mummsie · Post by **mummsie** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:35 pm

One of my favorites "The Little Irish Mother" John O'Brien, I think is worthy of a mention.
And any one who knows me would know my favorite to perform "The First Surveyor" A B Paterson.

Cheers
Sue

Maureen K Clifford · Post by **Maureen K Clifford** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:39 pm

I've always loved the words and the strength and endurance of the woman displayed in The Drovers Boy but technically I suppose that is a song and John Williamson not an old master - but still worthy of mention IMO

Stephen Whiteside · Post by **Stephen Whiteside** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:53 pm

Ted Egan wrote 'The Drover's Boy', Maureen, but I guess he's not an old master, either.

ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Women in bush poetry

Women in bush poetry

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