Poem Analysis - Last Week

Banjo Paterson's "Last Week" is a humorous and ironic poem that captures the frustrations of being consistently out of sync with one's surroundings. The poem’s tone is lighthearted and comical, dwelling on the narrator’s repeated misfortunes. The poem maintains this mood of wry amusement throughout, highlighting the contrast between the idealized past and the disappointing present.

Echoes of the Australian Outback

Banjo Paterson (1864-1941) was an Australian bush poet, journalist, and author, best known for his ballads and poems celebrating Australian life, particularly in the outback. His work often reflects the themes of rural life, national identity, and the relationship between humans and nature. The poem "Last Week" aligns with this tradition by depicting a "new-chum's" experiences in the Australian backblocks, a remote and often unforgiving environment.

The Elusive Ideal and Its Bitter Aftertaste

One of the main themes of the poem is theunattainable ideal of the past. Every venture the new-chum undertakes is met with the frustrating refrain: "He should have gone there last week." This highlights a universal human experience: the tendency to romanticize the past and the difficulty of ever truly recapturing it. Whether it's hunting abundant wildlife, capturing a beautiful waterfall, or witnessing a horse at its prime, the past always seems superior to the present reality. The humor comes from the sheer consistency of this pattern, emphasizing the absurdity of chasing an idealized, bygone era. The ideal is always presented as being easy, and delightful, but is not obtainable by the narrator.

Whispers of Regret and Missed Opportunities

A subtler, but noticeable theme is the idea ofregret and missed opportunities. Each stanza underscores how the new-chum always arrives too late to experience the best that the backblocks have to offer. This constant lateness can be interpreted as a representation of life's fleeting moments. The poem suggests that if we don't seize opportunities when they arise, they may be lost forever. The refrain also implies a sense of community teasing, where the newcomer is playfully taunted for his bad timing, further amplifying the theme of missed chances. This theme is expressed with comedy instead of a strong feeling.

The Illusion of Abundance and the Reality of Lack

The poem also hints at the theme ofdisappointment versus anticipation. The new-chum's expectations are consistently dashed by the harsh reality of his experiences. He anticipates a successful hunting trip, a stunning photograph, or a pleasant drive, but encounters emptiness, a trickle of water, and a dead horse. The last stanza reinforces this theme: the promise of a lively dinner party is ruined by the empty whisky jar. It's a subtle commentary on the difference between hope and experience, and the inherent comedy in that contrast.

The Echoing Refrain: Symbol of Futility

The recurring phrase, "He should have gone there last week," acts as a central symbol in the poem. It represents not only the speaker's misfortune but also the inherent futility of trying to replicate a past experience. The refrain becomes an ironic mantra, highlighting the disparity between expectation and reality. It also creates a comedic effect through its repetition, emphasizing the absurdity of the speaker's situation. The repetition hammers home the fact that the past is a different place and time, and can not be relived.

Concluding Thoughts

"Last Week" is a deceptively simple poem that offers a humorous yet insightful commentary on the human condition. Through its recurring motif of missed opportunities and its lighthearted tone, Paterson explores the themes of the unattainable ideal, regret, and the clash between anticipation and disappointment. While the poem is steeped in the specific context of the Australian outback, its message resonates universally, reminding us of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of embracing the present moment. It leaves the reader pondering the question of whether the 'last week' everyone speaks of is truly better, or just viewed through rose-tinted glasses.