Poem Analysis - Blowfly Grass

Introduction: A Bleak Portrait of Suburbia

Les Murray's "Blowfly Grass" paints a stark and unsettling picture of suburban decline in Australia. The poem opens with imagery of decaying homes and progresses to a more unsettling vision of a societal "pit" where individuals are crushed and consumed. The tone is initially descriptive and melancholic, gradually darkening into a harsh critique of modern values and the price of progress. The poem evokes a sense of disillusionment and the sacrifices made in the relentless pursuit of wealth and material success.

Suburban Decay and Economic Hardship

While specific historical context is not directly provided in the footnote, Murray's work often engages with themes of rural versus urban life and critiques of capitalist values within the Australian context. The opening lines immediately establish a sense of economic hardship. Houses are described as being "roofed with old savings books," suggesting financial instability and the vulnerability of homeowners. The phrase "seeped gravy at stitches in their walls" is a grotesque image that vividly portrays the dilapidated state of these homes, hinting at a society where even basic necessities are strained.

The Crushing Weight of Progress

One of the central themes is the destructive nature of unchecked progress and the relentless pursuit of wealth. The "pit" described in the poem is a powerful symbol of the societal forces that grind down individuals. The imagery of the "crusher Piers had/for making dusts of them for glazes" is particularly striking, depicting people as raw materials to be broken down and transformed for the benefit of the wealthy. This theme is developed through the use of vivid, industrial imagery, emphasizing the dehumanizing effects of a system that prioritizes profit over human well-being.

Symbols of Loss and Disillusionment

The "blowfly grass" itself serves as a central symbol. While the "exquisite lanterns of its seed" might initially suggest beauty, the name itself – linked to blowflies – implies decay and death. It represents a kind of unwanted growth taking over neglected spaces. The girl "cropped and wrong-coloured/like a chemist's photo" who is "true, and got what truth gets," is a particularly poignant image. She symbolizes the individual who refuses to compromise their values and is subsequently rejected and damaged by the prevailing system. Her rejection highlights the poem's bleak view of a society that punishes authenticity and rewards conformity.

A Final Grinding Insight

In conclusion, "Blowfly Grass" is a powerful and unsettling critique of suburban life and the dehumanizing effects of economic forces. Through vivid imagery and symbolism, Murray conveys a sense of loss, disillusionment, and the crushing weight of progress. The poem's strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of a society where individuals are expendable in the pursuit of wealth, leaving behind a landscape of decay and forgotten values. The final image of the rejected girl underscores the poem's central message: that truth and authenticity are often sacrificed in the relentless grind of modern life, suggesting a deeply pessimistic view of societal values.