'The Harleys' by Les Murray
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Conscious and Verbal1999Blats booted to blatantdubbing the avenue dire
with rubbings of Sveinn Forkbeard
leading a black squall of Harleys
with Moe Snow-Whitebeard andPossum Brushbeard and their ladies
and, sphincter-lipped, gunning,
massed in leather muscle on a run,
on a roll, Santas from Hell
like a whole shoal leaningwide wristed, their tautness stable
in fluency, fast streetscape dwindling,
all riding astride, on the outside
of sleek grunt vehicles, woman-clung,
forty years on from Marlon.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Harleys: A Masterpiece of Les Murray's Poetry
Les Murray, known as one of the greatest Australian poets, has blessed the world with some of the most beautiful and thought-provoking poems. In his anthology, "The Harleys," Murray captures the essence of the Australian landscape, culture, and people through his evocative verses. The Harleys is a brilliant piece of poetry that explores themes of identity, loss, and the relationship between humans and nature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various literary devices, themes, and imagery used by Murray in The Harleys.
Background and Context
The Harleys, published in 1996, is a collection of poems that explores the themes of identity, loss, and the relationship between humans and nature. The Harleys are a group of powerful motorbikes that represent a particular kind of Australian masculinity. They are a symbol of strength, freedom, and individualism, and their riders are often seen as rebels and outsiders. The poems in The Harleys explore the lives of the people who ride these machines and their relationship with the Australian landscape.
Literary Devices
One of the most significant literary devices used by Murray in The Harleys is imagery. Murray uses vivid and powerful imagery to create a sense of place and to evoke the Australian landscape and culture. In the poem, "The Harleys in the Kimberleys," Murray describes the rugged and remote terrain of the Kimberleys, a region in Western Australia, using vivid imagery:
Desert fat whales in the sun, these Harleys.
Black and white or yellow, they lie up
waiting for their riders to grow tired
of the red-gold ranges behind them
This imagery creates a sense of the harsh beauty of the Australian outback, with its sprawling deserts and rugged mountains. Murray's use of personification also adds depth and meaning to his poetry. In the poem "The Harley at the Beach," Murray personifies the motorcycle as a living creature, giving it a personality and character of its own:
The Harley snorts and shakes off salt
like a sea-horse. It has been ridden
the hard way through a big surf
and now it's alive and sweating.
This personification creates a sense of the machine's strength and vitality, as if it were a living thing with its own needs and desires.
Another literary device used by Murray is symbolism. The Harleys are a symbol of a particular kind of Australian masculinity, one that values strength, individualism, and freedom. The riders of the Harleys are often seen as outsiders, rebels, and non-conformists. In the poem "The Harleys in the Kimberleys," Murray describes the riders as:
...scarecrows,
leathered and patched and turbaned
with dust, as if they'd been
dragged out of a war.```
This imagery creates a sense of the riders as warriors, fighting against the elements and the harsh Australian landscape. Murray also uses symbolism to explore the relationship between humans and nature. In the poem "The Harley in the Rainforest," Murray describes the machine as a "metalfly" that disturbs the natural balance of the rainforest:
The metalfly, it hurls its burden of man and machine through the tree-slopes and over rock falls
This symbolism creates a sense of the machine as an intruder, disrupting the natural harmony of the rainforest and disturbing the creatures that live there.
### Themes
The Harleys explores several themes, including identity, loss, and the relationship between humans and nature. One of the most prominent themes in the collection is identity. The Harleys represent a particular kind of Australian masculinity, one that values strength, freedom, and individualism. The riders of the Harleys are often seen as outsiders, rebels, and non-conformists. In the poem "The Harleys in the Kimberleys," Murray describes the riders as:
...scarecrows, leathered and patched and turbaned with dust, as if they'd been dragged out of a war.```
This imagery creates a sense of the riders as warriors, fighting against the elements and the harsh Australian landscape. The Harleys represent a way of life and a particular kind of identity that is deeply connected to the Australian landscape.
Another theme explored in The Harleys is loss. The Harleys are a symbol of a particular kind of Australian culture and identity that is rapidly disappearing. The riders of the Harleys are often seen as outsiders, rebels, and non-conformists. In the poem "The Harley in the Rainforest," Murray describes the machine as a "metalfly" that disturbs the natural balance of the rainforest:
The metalfly, it hurls
its burden of man and machine
through the tree-slopes
and over rock falls
This symbolism creates a sense of the machine as an intruder, disrupting the natural harmony of the rainforest and disturbing the creatures that live there. The Harleys represent a way of life and a particular kind of identity that is disappearing in the face of modernity and progress.
The relationship between humans and nature is another theme explored in The Harleys. Murray uses powerful imagery and symbolism to explore the relationship between the Harleys and the Australian landscape. The Harleys are machines that are designed to conquer and dominate the landscape, but they also represent a deep connection between humans and nature. In the poem "The Harley at the Beach," Murray describes the machine as a living creature, with its own personality and desires:
The Harley snorts and shakes off salt
like a sea-horse. It has been ridden
the hard way through a big surf
and now it's alive and sweating.
This personification creates a sense of the machine's strength and vitality, as if it were a living thing with its own needs and desires. The Harleys represent a complex and often conflicted relationship between humans and nature, one that is both destructive and deeply connected.
Conclusion
The Harleys is a masterpiece of Les Murray's poetry, exploring themes of identity, loss, and the relationship between humans and nature. Murray's use of powerful imagery, personification, and symbolism creates a vivid and evocative portrait of the Australian landscape and culture. The Harleys are a symbol of a particular kind of Australian masculinity, one that values strength, freedom, and individualism. They are also a symbol of a way of life and a particular kind of identity that is rapidly disappearing in the face of modernity and progress. The Harleys represent a complex and often conflicted relationship between humans and nature, one that is both destructive and deeply connected.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Harleys by Les Murray is a classic poem that captures the essence of the Australian outback and the people who inhabit it. This poem is a celebration of the Harley Davidson motorcycle and the freedom it represents. Les Murray, one of Australia's most celebrated poets, has crafted a masterpiece that captures the spirit of the Australian bush and the people who live there.
The poem begins with a description of the Harleys, which are described as "big and black and loud." This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of power and strength. The Harleys are not just machines; they are symbols of freedom and independence. They represent the spirit of the Australian bush and the people who live there.
The poem then moves on to describe the riders of the Harleys. These are not just any riders; they are the "bushmen" of Australia. These are the men who live and work in the outback, who know the land and its secrets. They are tough and rugged, and they ride their Harleys with pride. The poem describes them as "hard men" who are "tough as nails." These are the kind of men who can survive in the harsh Australian bush, and they ride their Harleys with the same determination and strength.
The poem then moves on to describe the landscape of the Australian outback. This is a land of vast open spaces, where the sky seems to go on forever. The poem describes the "red earth" and the "blue sky," and the way the Harleys seem to blend in with the landscape. The riders of the Harleys are at one with the land, and they ride with a sense of freedom and joy.
The poem then moves on to describe the sound of the Harleys. This is a sound that is both powerful and beautiful. The poem describes the "thunder" of the Harleys as they roar across the outback. This is a sound that is both intimidating and exhilarating. The Harleys are not just machines; they are living creatures that breathe fire and power.
The poem then moves on to describe the way the Harleys are ridden. This is not just a matter of getting from one place to another; it is a way of life. The riders of the Harleys are not just commuters; they are adventurers. They ride their Harleys with a sense of purpose and passion. They are not afraid to take risks, and they are not afraid to push themselves to the limit.
The poem then moves on to describe the way the Harleys are maintained. This is not just a matter of keeping them running; it is a matter of pride. The riders of the Harleys take care of their machines with the same care and attention they give to themselves. They polish and shine their Harleys until they gleam in the sun. They take pride in their machines, and they are proud to ride them.
The poem then moves on to describe the way the Harleys are viewed by others. This is not just a matter of admiration; it is a matter of respect. The riders of the Harleys are not just seen as bikers; they are seen as heroes. They are the men who can survive in the harsh Australian bush, and they ride their Harleys with the same determination and strength. They are respected by all who know them, and they are admired by those who don't.
In conclusion, The Harleys by Les Murray is a classic poem that captures the spirit of the Australian outback and the people who live there. It is a celebration of the Harley Davidson motorcycle and the freedom it represents. Les Murray has crafted a masterpiece that is both powerful and beautiful. The poem is filled with images of power and strength, and it captures the essence of the Australian bush and the people who inhabit it. The Harleys is a poem that will continue to inspire and excite readers for generations to come.
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