Paragraph 1: The poet expresses an understanding of the significance of a physical place in representing cultural identity.
In the poem, Bora Ring by Judith Wright, the poet expresses the significance of a place in representing cultural identity. In encountering a long abandoned Bora Ring, the persona is led to reflect on the significance of place in embodying cultural identity. This highlights the impact of white settlement on Indigenous culture and the ceremonial site that embodied Aboriginal tradition through rituals and communal gathering. The poet expresses a strong sense of loss that has occurred as a result of the change in society where the ancient culture of Indigenous Australians has been dismantled. Physical place has been expressed as integral in shaping cultural identity. In the case of Bora Ring, a sense of cultural loss is identified with loss of place, as a result of white settlement. In the 2nd stanza of Bora Ring, Wright indicates an understanding of the impact of place in expressing cultural identity. Wright conveys the loss of Aboriginal culture due to the eradication of their land in; “Only the grass stands up to mark the dancing ring”. The visual imagery of grass being the only body of environment left in the bora ring reflects the disappearance of Aboriginal culture due to the suppression of Indigenous sacred land. Additionally, The use of the adverb “only” depicts the abandonment of Indigenous tradition after white settlement. Moreover, ideas of loss and isolation are conveyed through exploring the significance of land to Indigenous cultural identity. Wright also demonstrates her understanding of the impact of place in symbolizing Indigenous tradition in stanza 2 of the poem, Bora Ring. Wright expresses the loss of cultural pride and identity as a result of white settlement subsequently following the destruction of Aboriginal land in stanza 2. In the quote “The apple gums posture and mime a past corroboree” the use of personification of an apple gums posture being stooped, reflects the native Aboriginal tree being stooped in pride. This indicates loss of Indigenous cultural pride and reveals that through the impact of white settlement, Aboriginal tradition has been belittled. Furthermore, use of the noun “mime” reflects connotations of silence, which demonstrates abandonment and loss of culture being forgotten. Wrights reflection of an Aboriginal corroboree ceremony is indicated through her choice of past tense. The statement “past corroboree” is used to reveal loss of culture as this significant event is being labeled as a past tradition. Hence, the poet manifests Indigenous loss of cultural pride and identity as a result of white settlement subsequently following the destruction of Aboriginal land. In the poem, Bora Ring, Judith Wright conveys an understanding of the importance of a physical place in embodying cultural identity.
Paragraph 2: The poet reflects on how a place has been changed by the impact of other factors.
In the poem Bora Ring by Judith Wright, the poet identifies how places may reflect a broader change in society. In encountering a long abandoned bora ring, the poet is led to reflect on the impact of white settlement on the Indigenous culture and the ceremony that was embodied through the rituals and communal gathering at this initiation site. Furthermore, the poet expresses a strong sense of loss that has occurred as a result of the change in society, where the ancient culture of Indigenous Australians has been dismantled, through the impact of white settlement. Moreover, the poet reflects on how place acts as an important reminder of the treatment of
