Narrative Voice in Homecoming

A detailed Summary of Narrative Voice in Homecoming


Narrative voice plays an important role in conveying the idea of 'journey' in 'Homecoming' by poet Bruce Dawe. In this free-verse war poem, the idea of 'journey' extends itself to cover both the physical and emotional aspects of the subject matter of the poem. Repetition and word choice are of key importance in developing the idea of the physical journey, while techniques such as metaphorical language, historical references and the use of imagery reinforce the idea of the emotional baggage that returns along with the bodies. The purpose of this poem is to illustrate the futility and pointlessness of war.

The first technique that becomes apparent to the responder is repetition. The repetition of the word 'day', in the context of,

'All day, day after day...' has connotations of the drudgery and the long duration of this physical journey, as well as alluding to the sheer volumes of corpses that are transported home.

The next five lines are begun with the word, 'they're' which gives the poem a slow and repetitious rhythm, which is related to the constancy and monotony of this physical journey. To suit the e


"Telegrams tremble like leaves from a wintering tree..." In this phrase Dawe has allocated the emotion to the telegrams themselves, instead of those receiving the telegrams. This clever device of both metaphorical language and personification reinforces the idea of the emotional journey, and the end of that journey. The use of the word 'wintering' is a direct reference to death. There is a distinct absence of any images of human grief in this poem, and this is possibly more evocative than direct descriptions.

The idea of journey is conveyed in 'Homecoming' in an effective and impacting style, through the use of specified language techniques. While the narrative voice is important for establishing the tone of the piece, other devices such as metaphorical language, paradox and word choice are of equal value in this text, to convey the all round idea of journey.

Established at the beginning of the poem and continued throughout, is the narrative voice or persona of 'Homecoming.' In 'Homecoming' the bodies are depersonalised by word choice, which assists in conveying the physical journey. Words such as "piled" "tagging" a

Some common words found in the essay are:
Bruce Dawe, Homecoming Narrative, narrative voice, metaphorical language, word choice, physical journey, idea emotional, emotional journey, idea emotional journey, beginning poem, physical emotional, transported home, grief poem,

Approximate Word count = 764
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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