Bell Birds Essay

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The "Bell-birds" and the Development of Australian Literature
Despite its European origins, Australian literature has developed a unique identity of iconic bushmen, social and racial politics and awe-inspiring landscapes (Australian Government). However, within these tales, the tenets of many English literary movements are still present (Smith and Pierce). This is especially prevalent within, Henry Kendall's lyrical poem, "Bell-birds" as his emotive tributes to the Australian landscape (The Development Of Australian Literature In The 19Th Century 7) adapt Romantic ideals to suit Australian iconography. In turn, Kendall not only gives homage to his predecessors, but pioneers a national identity (The Development Of Australian Literature In The 19Th Century 32). Thus, establishing Australian literature conventions (The …show more content…

This enables him to incorporate the Romantic ideal of the sublime into the Australian bush (Johnston) and the home of the "silver-voiced bell-birds" (Kendall 9). However, the lack of capitalisation of this environment, emphasises inconsistencies between Kendall's adaptation and Romantic traditions. Therefore, he creates a unique poem which morphs the notion of nature's religious connotations into a deep love and appreciation for the beauty of the bush. This is evident as the setting's visual imagery of "dripping rocks [that] gleam and the leafy pools [that] glisten" (Kendall 20) are home to personified natural elements such as, the "bell-birds" (9) which have "voices," (26) and the "waters [which are] unkissed by the summers" (25). By emphasising the living qualities of these natural features, Kendall is able to connect with the landscape in a profound and intimate way. Thus, allowing the "beauty and strength of the deep mountain valleys" (Kendall 40) to have a seminal impact upon his

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