The Not-so-good Earth

For a while there we had 25-inch Chinese peasant families

famishing in comfort on the 25-inch screen
and even Uncle Billy whose eyesight’s going fast
by hunching up real close to the convex glass
could just about make them out – the riot scene
in the capital city for example
he saw that better than anything, using the contrast knob
to bring them up dark – all those screaming faces
and bodies going under the horses’ hooves – he did a terrific job
on that bit, not so successful though
on the quieter parts where they’re just starving away
digging for roots in the not-so-good earth
cooking up a mess of old clay
and coming out with all those Confucian analects
to everybody’s considerable satisfaction
(if I remember rightly Grandmother dies
with naturally a suspenseful break in the action
for a full symphony orchestra plug for Craven A
neat as a whistle probably damn glad
to be quit of the whole gang with their marvellous patience.)
We never did find out how it finished up… Dad
at this stage tripped over the main lead in the dark
hauling the whole set down smack on its inscrutable face,
wiping out in a blue flash and curlicue of smoke
600 million Chinese without a trace…

Hello, today I will be analysing The Not-So-Good-Earth, by Bruce Dawe. The Not-So-Good-Earth was
set during the time period of the 1966 Chinese Revolution. The narrator describes a scene where a
western family sits around a television watching the events of the Chinese Revolution occur. The
narrator describes what is occurring on the screen while being easily distracted by events occurring
in his close proximity. The poem ends as the father trips over the cable, causing the TV to break. The
poet implicitly attempts to emphasise the self-serving nature of western society and the lack of
apathy that they have towards others outside of their immediate world. There is a clear separation
between us vs them, and only devastations that occur near to us or that directly affect us is
significant enough to care about. Bruce Dawe uses the narrator’s dramatic monologue to express the
theme of indifference that is shown by western cultures to others. He does this through structure,
technique and language.

The title is a satirical play on words of the novel by Pearl Buck called “The Good Life”, which is about
the good times, values Chinese proverbs.  Insight into the content of the poem, contrasting with
the novel.

25 line, no stanza, free verse poem.

to be quit of the whole gang  Colloquialism Expresses the general laid back style of the poem in
comparison to the actual content and meaning behind the poem. By maintaining the tension
between the humorous aspects and the serious aspects, Dawe creates that laid-back tone in order to
contrast with the content of the poem.

We never did find out how it finished up … Ellipses – The use of ellipsis shows the narrator trailing
off, or a hesitation in continuing their thought. Furthermore, the manipulation of ellipsis
demonstrates the continuous problem.

(If I remember Brackets Used to disclose the internal thoughts of the narrator, further
emphasizing the informal tone

Probably damn glad  Casual tone of the narrator shows the lack of care and effort they put into
narrating the situation. Makes it very accessible.

Bodies going under the horses’ hooves – he did a terrific job Dashes – Use of dashes demonstrate
a contrast in realities, between the western family and the victims of the Chinese Revolution.

“600 Million Chinese without a trace” Sees the whole tragedy as irrelevant as soon as the TV turns
off.

famishing in comfort  Oxymoron “Famishing” is an adjective to define extreme hunger and

starvation, even to the point of death.  “Comfort” has the connotations of ease and freedom from
pain.  The contrast between these two words, further emphasizes Dawe’s use of dark humor and
irony, for the reader to empathise with the victims of the western culture’s apathy.

Detachment of Western Society He saw that better than anything More worried about Uncle
Billy, rather than what is actually happening. Again, the detachment of western society is shown in 7
when it states: Using the contrast knob to bring them up dark  Uncle Billy’s sight problem –
modern man is more concerned with superficial appearances, than in the meanings attached to
them.

they’re just starving away Narrator is becoming slightly bored of the situation, demonstrating the
lack of compassion for their situation.

Craven A It is ironic that advertisements for luxury indulgences like ‘Craven A’ cigarettes have
been interjected into what should be deeply moving moments of the poem.

25-inch screen Throughout the poem the TV promotes death scenes action, while blunting the
emotional impact of realityEuphemism

Therefore, as shown through the structure, language and technique of The Not-so-good Earth, Dawe
has effectively showed the indifferent nature Western Society shows to other cultures.