Emotions Of Confusion And Cynicism In Gwen Harwood's
Harwood eases into her poem by integrating a thoughtful conception of the characters desire to “show [them] the order of the world.” This alludes to specific emotions of confusion and cynicism through the thought of the character not comprehending the manner in which the world works. In reference to Harwood’s time, women were perceived as inferior and were often expected to fulfill their lives only by becoming a housewife. In only becoming a mother, Harwood conveys to the reader that this character assumingly does not comprehend the reason women are expected to act in this manner. By including the connotation of “the order of the word” instead of explicitly describing how the character feels, the poet evokes into the reader emotions of doubt