Australian Identity: I Was Only Nineteen Analysis Essay

The text I feature elect to analyse in this written review is called I Was only(prenominal) xix, further to a fault goes by the names Only cardinal and A Walk in the Light Green. It was composed by keister Schumann, the lead singer/songwriter of the folk group Redgum. This exami population lead focus on topics such as the poetic techniques used, how Australian individuality is portrayed, the effect the text has on the ref and my opinions.I Was Only Nineteen tells the novel of an Australian diggers bonks preparing for, fighting in, and reflecting upon the Vietnam War as an old man, psychologically and physically dam get along withd from the chemical defoliant Agent orangish. Although it whitethorn seem bid a long time ago the fight ended in mid 1975 the scars it left behind will neer fade. John Schumann uses numerous poetic devices throughout his hit song. The most often used techniques include rhyme (as is the same for most lyrical songs), repetition, rhetorical que stions and multitudes of colloquialisms.Many of the menti iodind techniques as well as others in the song provided the reader/tender with an opportunity to think about the theme of Australian identity. The colloquialisms employ to this ballad allow the reader to associate and relate to their own lifestyles in Australia. Drinking tinnies an Australian vernacular term meaning drinking cans of beer connects with the stereotypically periodic attitudes of pub attendees Down Under. Schumanns broad Australian accent for the entirety of this piece also expresses a whimsy of Australia.Schumann makes a habit of mentioning trustworthy Australian and Vietnamese locations. Puckapunyal, Canungra, Shoalwater, Townsville, Nui Dat and Vung Tau be some of the several places observe in this song. By citing factual towns/cities, Schumann creates yet another bond with the auditory guts, as most members would have heard of at least unity of these before. The rhetorical questions used in th is have Australian aspects to them. Schumann quotes the Channel Seven whirlybird chills me to my feet, Channel Seven being a very well know Australian television channel.By bringing up well cognize Australian icons and brands, the author involves himself with the interview. Although subtle, Australians can also relate to the line Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon. This disrupticular sentence describes the historic event in which humankind first set foot on the moon kicked the moon. This is an allusion that galore(postnominal) Aussies especially those who watched the 1969 moonwalk on their TVs would understand and could meet to.Through the use of poetic devices, the author has successfully encouraged the audience to explore their thoughts on Australian identity and to reflect on our nations history. Second paragraph The language and tone of I Was Only Nineteen is solemn and reflective of the past. John Schumann has used various types of language to s how this. Schumanns newsing of this text is well planned and good thought out. Sentences in this piece frequently begin with And, implying that the author is not yet done telling his story.In a way it symbolises that the distract of the war neer ended, it is lock continuing on. The chorus line paragon uphold me, I was only 9teen is a fundamental part of this song. It expresses the innocence and childhood that was lost by thousands of involuntary Australian soldiers during the war. This small line is repeated 4 times throughout the song. On one occasion it is brush asidely changed to God help me, he was going alkali in June. This change, although only minor, adds to a greater extent feelingal significance to the statement whilst still continuing on the idea of lost innocence.Repetition of the same word (also know as anaphora) generates a sense of emotion and draws the reader/listener in waiting for the next addition to the story. The phrase an Asian orange tree sunset thr ough the scrub has double meaning, the obvious one being the colour of the sky at that point in time. But when to a greater extent research is conducted, it becomes patent that it could also be hinting at Agent Orange, one of the herbicides/defoliants used by the US military during the war. It killed the foliage of the Vietnamese forests so as to prevent the Viet Cong from taking cover in the trees. somewhat 1 million people including Australians are disabled or have health issues due to Agent Orange. The theme of yokehip and strong loyalty is also evident. Schumann swears that he can still see and hear Frankie, implying that although Frankie lost his life, he will never be forgotten. But you wouldnt let your mates down til they had you dusted forth also speaks of the fondness the author had for his fellow soldiers, dusted off being the military term for medical evacuation of wounded via helicopter.Again, Australian identity comes into play the characteristic of utter loyalty hat Australians are renowned for. On the whole, the vocabulary used in this song carries with it a wide range of emotional value and deeper meanings (these aspects become especially evident when the text is explored and broken down). The structure of this song is constantly that of a quatrain. The create verbally scheme follows no specific pattern, but commonly exists in the blueprint of ABAB and AAAA. A notably identifiable characteristic of this piece is the way the story is set out. The majority of the paragraphs feature a diverse location and emotion of the crowd.The opening stanza states that Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing out order at Puckapunyal. The setting of this verse is Puckapunyal and addresses the family members of the protagonist. The tempo is moderately slow and the feeling in the atmosphere is one of speculation for the unknown future to come, but also apprehension It was a long march from cadets and a slight amount of self-doubt. In the second verse, the cadence speeds up and a sense of excitement begins to build. The thought of being amidst the action of the Vietnam War becomes very material and very near.This verse is the debut of the chorus line God help me, I was only nineteen an appropriate time, due to the nigh surmisal of death. Townsville lined the footpaths as we marched down to the quay mentions the Queensland city and its inhabitants. There are some(prenominal) other examples of this throughout the song, including Vung Tau and the maturity with which it is spoken of (in the third verse), the Vietnamese jungle and the living with the fear that each step could mean your last one on two legs (stanzas five and six) and back home in Australia, reflecting on the war and its events (eight and nine).The author has purposely made the shortest lines (6-7 words and 8-9 syllables) the most powerful. It was a war within yourself one of the shortest lines metaphorically describes how the overwhelming sensations of the war be a t every moment to take over your soul. There are nine stanzas, each consisting of four lines. Although it may not seem like it, this layout is actually for a reason. The song Stairway to Heaven by guide Zeppelin contains long verses, sometimes as long as nine lines, which creates a flowing story and often doesnt give the audience a chance to consider the impact of the lyrics.However, I Was Only Nineteen, with its four line verses, permits the readers and listeners to reflect and contemplate the meaning and poignancy of the stanza in the break away that follows. The flatness and monotony of Schumann in the song mirrors the futility and fatalistic attitudes of the Vietnam soldiers. They were well known for their live every day as if it were your last approach on life. Many combatants, as young as fourteen (this was an illegal age and they used false documents) had no plans for the future, apart from having fun whilst they were still living.To many Australian citizens back then and still now, the Vietnam War was pointless. Some say it wasnt worth more than six million lives (civilian and military) just to fall by the wayside North Vietnams communisation from taking over, others say otherwise. Although we will never truly known what it was like, Schumanns writing allows us as readers/listeners to experience a smidgen of what it would have been like. Schumann has evidently spent time set up the superlatively set-out structure, as this greatly impacted on his audience, including myself.After poring over this text, I have developed a much greater and more profound respect for the Vietnam veterans. It isnt spoken of much not compared to the area Wars. These men and women were following instructions and it is not individuals who are to be goddam for the millions of casualties. Schumann has brilliantly yet terrifyingly depicted the horrors of war and the suffering endured by veterans for years even decades after the fall of Saigon. His use of assorted poetic devices, able and well-planned vocabulary and meaningful structure pave the way for a indisputable masterpiece.