The ANZAC legend has been positively represented in the poem “Gallipoli” by Australian poet Bruce Dawe. It also inspires us to think whether the Anzac legend is central to the story of the Australian nation hood and national identity. He mainly writes poems about aspects of Australian life. The poem is about pilgrims who visit the WW1 battlefields in Gallipoli .It uses historical and Australian representations to imply that although Gallipoli was a defeat, it defined and shaped our nation and its citizens. This is the reason many Australians make a pilgrimage to Anzac Cove in Turkey to pay tribute to the past soldiers that sacrifice their lives for their country. The use of poetic and language devices emphasizes this message of national pride and the futility.
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For example, the metaphor “Burning Sun” conjures up an image of bravery which evokes pride in the reader. Contrast such as “where so many bled for little gain “emphasizes the futility of war as so many men died for so little. The metonymy “bloody Omaha” relates the Battle of Gallipoli with a more well-known battle, the D-Day landings where thousands of young soldiers died in similar circumstances. The poem implies that unlike the D-Day landings, it was not successful. This loss further emphasizes the futility of war as these men died for nothing. Additionally the paradox “affirmation in defeat” exemplifies the Anzac spirt, courage, endurance and sacrifice. Emotive language such as “Bloody Omaha” evokes sadness in the reader as many soldiers have died for nothing. Parallel construction “Yet Gallipoli is that victory. Which not all nations greet” implies that only Australians recognise Gallipoli as a victory. This emphasizes the uniqueness of Australian
For example, the metaphor “Burning Sun” conjures up an image of bravery which evokes pride in the reader. Contrast such as “where so many bled for little gain “emphasizes the futility of war as so many men died for so little. The metonymy “bloody Omaha” relates the Battle of Gallipoli with a more well-known battle, the D-Day landings where thousands of young soldiers died in similar circumstances. The poem implies that unlike the D-Day landings, it was not successful. This loss further emphasizes the futility of war as these men died for nothing. Additionally the paradox “affirmation in defeat” exemplifies the Anzac spirt, courage, endurance and sacrifice. Emotive language such as “Bloody Omaha” evokes sadness in the reader as many soldiers have died for nothing. Parallel construction “Yet Gallipoli is that victory. Which not all nations greet” implies that only Australians recognise Gallipoli as a victory. This emphasizes the uniqueness of Australian