Poem Analysis - Watching The Crows

Henry Lawson's "Watching The Crows" is a stark and evocative poem that blends the practical realities of the Australian outback with a haunting sense of the spiritual. The poem initially adopts a matter-of-fact tone, detailing a lost bushman and the search efforts. However, it gradually shifts towards a more contemplative and even spectral mood, marked by the narrator's lingering vision of the blackfellow. The poem explores themes of racial difference, the wisdom of Indigenous knowledge, and the enduring power of guilt or responsibility.

Historical Context: A Glimpse into Colonial Australia

Henry Lawson was an Australian writer known for his realistic depictions of Australian bush life. The poem is set against the backdrop of colonial Australia, a period marked by significant racial inequality and tension between European settlers and Indigenous Australians. Lawson's depiction of the "blackfellow" reflects both the reliance on Indigenous tracking skills and the prevalent racial attitudes of the time. The "super's" dismissive joke highlights the casual racism that was commonplace.

The Superior Knowledge of the "Other"

One of the main themes of the poem is the recognition of Indigenous knowledge, contrasted with the skepticism and dismissiveness of the white settlers. The bushman and the "super" rely on the blackfellow, Black Billy, to find the lost man. Black Billy's method of "watching the crows" seems illogical to them, yet it proves to be the key to locating the body. This highlights the poem’s implicit argument: Indigenous people hold a deeper understanding of the land and its signs, an understanding often overlooked or undervalued by the colonial mindset. The crows themselves become symbolic of this hidden knowledge, acting as messengers between the natural world and the initiated observer.

Guilt and the Haunting Aftermath

The poem also explores the theme of lingering guilt or responsibility. The narrator, years after the event, still sees "in my vision at night" the figure of the blackfellow watching the crows. This recurring vision suggests that the experience has deeply affected the narrator, perhaps due to the blackfellow's death or a belated recognition of the injustice and inequality inherent in their interactions. The "faint figure" that grows "nearer and nearer" could symbolize the narrator's growing awareness of the significance of the blackfellow's knowledge and perhaps the moral implications of the colonial encounter. The vision is not threatening, but persistent, suggesting a burden of memory rather than a supernatural haunting.

The Crow as a Symbol of Death and Knowledge

The crow is the central symbol of the poem. It represents death, as the blackfellow states, "Where the white man lies dead, The crows will fly over." However, it also represents a deeper connection to the land and a specific form of knowledge inaccessible to the white settlers. The crow is the guide, leading to the discovery of the lost man, and in doing so, validating the blackfellow's intuitive understanding. The ambiguity of the crow symbol, representing both death and knowledge, creates a tension that underscores the complex relationship between the settlers and the Indigenous population.

Enduring Vision: A Lasting Reflection

In conclusion, "Watching The Crows" is a powerful poem that uses the simple narrative of a lost bushman to explore complex themes of racial difference, the value of Indigenous knowledge, and the enduring power of memory and guilt. The poem's haunting imagery and the narrator's persistent vision of the blackfellow serve as a reminder of the historical injustices and the often-unacknowledged wisdom of Indigenous Australians. The poem's significance lies in its subtle critique of colonial attitudes and its recognition of a deeper connection to the land, a connection that the narrator, haunted by his vision, can no longer ignore.