Welcome, everyone, to a fascinating journey into the heart of Australian poetry! Today, we are going to explore a truly remarkable poem, “Bullocky” by Judith Wright. This poem invites us to look closely at the lives of those who shaped the land and to discover the profound beauty and meaning in their enduring labor. Let us begin by reading the poem together.
Beside his heavy shouldered team thirsty with drought and chilled with rain,
he weathered all the striding years
till they ran widdershins in his brain:
Till the long solitary tracks
etched deeper with each lurching load
were populous before his eyes,
and fiends and angels used his road.
All the long straining journey grew
a mad apocalyptic dream,
and he was an old Moses, and the slaves, with their suffering and stubborn team.
Then in his evening camp beneath
the half light pillars of the trees
he filled the steepled cone of night
with shouted prayers and prophecies.
While past the campfire’s crimson ring
the star struck darkness cupped him round.
and centuries of cattle bells rang
with their sweet uneasy sound.
Grass is across the wagon tracks,
and plough strikes bone beneath the grass,
and vineyards cover all the slopes
where the dead teams were used to pass.
O vine, grow close upon that bone
and hold it with your rooted hand.
The prophet Moses feeds the grape,
and fruitful is the Promised Land.
Understanding “Bullocky”: A Comprehensive Summary
Judith Wright’s “Bullocky” is a powerful and enduring piece of Australian literature, first published in 1946. It quickly gained recognition for its unique portrayal of a bullocky, a driver of bullock teams, as a figure of immense spiritual and historical significance. The poem elevates the seemingly humble and arduous work of clearing land and transporting goods into something almost sacred, making it a staple in anthologies and a beloved work for many readers.
At its heart, the “Bullocky” summary reveals a profound exploration of human endurance, the shaping of a nation, and the spiritual connection between humanity and the land. The poem introduces an old bullocky, a solitary figure whose life has been defined by his relentless journeys across the Australian landscape. He has “weathered all the striding years,” enduring both “drought and chilled with rain.” As he ages, his mind becomes a tapestry of his past, where the “long solitary tracks” he once traversed are now “populous before his eyes” with visions of “fiends and angels.” This suggests that his physical journey has also been a deep spiritual one, confronting both hardship and moments of grace.
The central idea of “Bullocky” is the transformation of arduous labor into a legacy of creation and spiritual fulfillment. The bullocky is strikingly compared to the biblical figure of Moses, leading his “suffering and stubborn team” through a “mad apocalyptic dream” towards a “Promised Land.” This comparison imbues his toil with a sense of divine purpose and immense dignity. In his evening camp, surrounded by the vast Australian night, he offers “shouted prayers and prophecies,” further cementing his role as a visionary and a prophet of the land’s future.
The poem then shifts to the present, acknowledging the passage of time. The old wagon tracks are now covered by “grass,” and where the bullock teams once toiled, “vineyards cover all the slopes.” The “plough strikes bone beneath the grass,” a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made. The poem concludes with a powerful image of the vine growing upon the “bone,” symbolizing how the hard work and sacrifice of figures like the bullocky have literally nourished the land, leading to abundance and the realization of a “fruitful… Promised Land.” This noteworthy aspect of the poem highlights the lasting impact of early pioneers and the deep, almost mystical, connection between their labor and the prosperity of the land.
In-Depth “Bullocky” Analysis: Unpacking Poetic Brilliance
Judith Wright masterfully weaves together various literary and poetic devices to create a rich tapestry of meaning and emotion in “Bullocky.” A thorough “Bullocky” analysis reveals how these techniques elevate the poem from a simple narrative to a profound meditation on history, labor, and spirituality.
Literary Devices in “Bullocky”
Allusion
The most striking literary device in “Bullocky” is its powerful use of allusion, particularly to the biblical story of Moses and the Exodus. Wright deliberately equates the bullocky with Moses and his team of oxen with the Israelites. This is not merely a religious comparison but a profound statement about the dignity and sacredness of labor that shapes a nation. Consider these lines:
All the long straining journey grew
a mad apocalyptic dream,
and he was an old Moses, and the slaves, with their suffering and stubborn team.
Here, the bullocky’s arduous journey is transformed into an epic quest, mirroring Moses leading his people to freedom. The “suffering and stubborn team” are likened to the Israelites, enduring hardship in the wilderness. The poem’s conclusion further reinforces this:
The prophet Moses feeds the grape,
and fruitful is the Promised Land.
This directly echoes the biblical “Promised Land,” suggesting that the bullocky’s toil has literally cultivated a land of abundance, fulfilling a prophetic vision. This allusion elevates the bullocky from a mere laborer to a foundational figure in the creation of a new society.
Imagery
Wright’s poem is rich in evocative imagery that appeals to multiple senses, immersing the reader in the bullocky’s world and the Australian landscape. Visual imagery paints vivid pictures:
Beside his heavy shouldered team thirsty with drought and chilled with rain,
This line immediately establishes the harsh conditions and the bullocky’s resilience. Later, the evening camp is beautifully rendered:
Then in his evening camp beneath
the half light pillars of the trees
he filled the steepled cone of night
The “half light pillars of the trees” create a sense of natural grandeur, while the “steepled cone of night” evokes the vast, encompassing darkness of the bush, giving it an almost cathedral-like quality. Auditory imagery is also powerful:
and centuries of cattle bells rang
with their sweet uneasy sound.
The sound of “cattle bells” connects the present moment to a long history of pastoral life, creating a sense of timelessness and continuity. The “sweet uneasy sound” captures both the nostalgic beauty and the underlying hardship of the bullocky’s existence.
Metaphor
Beyond the direct allusion to Moses, the poem employs metaphor to deepen its themes. The bullocky’s journey itself becomes a metaphor for the human struggle and perseverance inherent in life. The “long solitary tracks” are not just physical paths but represent the course of a life lived with dedication and hardship. Furthermore, the transformation of the land is a powerful metaphor for progress and the fruits of labor:
and vineyards cover all the slopes
where the dead teams were used to pass.
The vineyards symbolize the prosperity and civilization that grew from the bullocky’s pioneering efforts, transforming a wild landscape into a productive one.
Personification
Personification is used to imbue inanimate objects or abstract concepts with human qualities, making the landscape and the passage of time feel alive. The years are given agency:
he weathered all the striding years
The “striding years” suggest time moving with purpose and force, actively shaping the bullocky. The journey itself takes on a life of its own:
All the long straining journey grew
a mad apocalyptic dream,
Here, the journey “grew” into a dream, implying it developed a consciousness or an overwhelming presence in the bullocky’s mind, reflecting his deep immersion in his work.
Symbolism
Several elements in “Bullocky” carry significant symbolic weight, enriching the poem’s meaning. The “bone” is a potent symbol:
and plough strikes bone beneath the grass,
O vine, grow close upon that bone
The “bone” symbolizes the past labor, the physical sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of the bullocky and his team. It represents the very foundation upon which the new land is built. The “vine” symbolizes the flourishing life, abundance, and prosperity that result from that foundational labor. It is the tangible outcome of the bullocky’s efforts, a symbol of the “fruitful… Promised Land.” The “grass” covering the wagon tracks symbolizes the passage of time, nature’s reclamation, and the way history can be subtly absorbed into the landscape, yet its impact remains.
Poetic Devices in “Bullocky”
Assonance
Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds within words in close proximity, creates a musical quality and emphasizes certain words or ideas. The repetition of the long “o” sound in these lines draws attention to the connection between the vine and the bullocky’s legacy:
O vine, grow close upon that bone
Similarly, the short “i” sound in “crimson ring” and “chilled with rain” adds a subtle lyrical quality and reinforces the sensory details.
Alliteration
Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, adds emphasis and texture to the poem. The “s” sound in “solitary tracks” and “suffering and stubborn team” creates a sense of the arduous and lonely nature of the bullocky’s work. The “b” sound in “bone beneath” subtly links the physical remnants of the past with the earth itself:
and plough strikes bone beneath the grass,
This alliteration makes the image more memorable and impactful.
Consonance
Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, creates a subtle sense of harmony and reinforces thematic connections. The repeated “t” and “r” sounds in “thirsty with drought and chilled with rain” subtly echo the hardship and the relentless nature of the elements endured by the bullocky and his team, creating a sense of weariness and endurance.
Enjambment
Wright frequently uses enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, to create a sense of flow and momentum. This technique often mirrors the continuous, relentless journey of the bullocky and his team, preventing the reader from pausing and reflecting until the thought is complete. Observe how the lines flow seamlessly here:
While past the campfire’s crimson ring
the star struck darkness cupped him round.
and centuries of cattle bells rang
with their sweet uneasy sound.
The absence of end-stops propels the reader forward, mimicking the unbroken passage of time and the continuous presence of the sounds and sights of the bush.
Rhyme Scheme and Structure
The poem is composed of seven quatrains, or four-line stanzas, a traditional and balanced poetic form. Each stanza contributes to the unfolding narrative and thematic development, creating a cohesive whole. The consistent structure provides a sense of order and rhythm, reflecting the steady, enduring nature of the bullocky’s life and work. The poem generally follows an ABCB rhyme scheme, where the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme. For example, in the first stanza, “rain” rhymes with “brain.” This consistent rhyme scheme creates a musicality and a sense of completeness within each stanza, while the unrhymed first and third lines allow for a more natural, less rigid flow, much like the rhythms of life in the bush.
The Enduring Legacy of “Bullocky”
Judith Wright’s “Bullocky” stands as a powerful testament to the unsung heroes who shaped the Australian landscape. Through its vivid imagery, profound allusions, and masterful use of poetic devices, the poem transforms the arduous labor of a bullocky into an epic, almost sacred, endeavor. It reminds us that every act of toil, every journey taken, contributes to the fabric of history and the foundation of future prosperity. The poem’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to connect the individual struggle with a larger national narrative, celebrating the dignity of labor and the deep, spiritual bond between people and the land they cultivate. It is a poem that continues to resonate, inviting readers to reflect on the legacies we inherit and the profound stories etched into the very ground beneath our feet.