Poem Analysis - To Be Amused

A Dire Warning for a Complacent Nation

"To Be Amused" is a fierce and urgent poem by Henry Lawson, a wake-up call to a seemingly oblivious Australia. The poem's tone is initially accusatory and frustrated, building to a crescendo of apocalyptic warning. Lawson paints a grim picture of a nation distracted by trivial pursuits, blind to looming dangers both internal and external. The mood shifts from exasperation to a desperate plea for action, culminating in a chilling vision of future conquest and subjugation.

Echoes of National Anxiety

Written in a period of burgeoning Australian nationalism and anxieties about immigration and foreign powers, particularly Japan and China, the poem reflects these concerns. Lawson's background as a working-class poet, deeply connected to the Australian bush and its people, lends weight to his critique of urban complacency and perceived moral decay. The poem can be interpreted as a reaction to what Lawson saw as a betrayal of the pioneering spirit and a dangerous slide into hedonism and apathy.

Lost Heritage and the Threat from Abroad

One of the central themes is the loss of national heritage and the consequences of neglecting the land and its people. Lawson vividly portrays the "thirsty land, the wasted flood," and "unpeopled plains," symbolizing the neglect of rural Australia while resources are squandered in the cities. This neglect opens the door to the second major theme: the threat of foreign invasion and domination. The poem is saturated with fear of the "yellow millions" and the conquering "Japs," reflecting the racial anxieties prevalent at the time. These two themes combine to create a sense of impending doom if Australia does not wake up and address its internal weaknesses. A final theme, strongly related to the first two, is that of national responsibility. Lawson implies that it is every Australian's duty to protect their nation from these threats.

Bleak Visions and Powerful Symbols

Recurring images of devastation and ruin powerfully convey Lawson's message. The "stricken city" and the "fathers murdered at their doors" evoke a visceral sense of fear and loss. The symbol of the "Bushman from Out Back," rallying to defend the nation, represents the strength and resilience of the Australian spirit, a spirit that Lawson fears is being eroded by urban decadence. The image of "white children in the heathen school" and "black and white together slaves" is a particularly disturbing symbol of the loss of cultural identity and the dehumanizing effects of conquest. The poem's symbols of racial anxiety highlight the racist attitudes unfortunately held at the time of writing, and it is crucial to recognize the history and context surrounding these disturbing visions.

Patriotism's Desperate Call

Lawson's poem is more than just a warning; it's a desperate plea for national unity and action. He implores his fellow Australians to "make clean the place! Make strong the place!" emphasizing the need for both moral and physical preparedness. The concluding lines, calling on white men from all the world to come to Australia's aid, reflect a limited perspective and a dated notion of national identity, it also highlights the poem's urgency to protect their homeland from the perceived foreign threat. "To Be Amused" serves as a powerful, albeit troubling, reminder of the anxieties and challenges that shaped early Australian nationalism, and the consequences of national complacency.