Wolfbrother

The way that a text is read, the ideas raised, and the meaning which is interpreted, will vary as each responders context does.

A responders context has significant influence upon what ideas and meanings they will discover from within a text. Someone that values religion, or has an understanding of psychoanalysis, will focus upon the elements of a text which emphasise these ideas. It is more likely, however, that a responder considers and interprets the dominant reading of a text, which is quite frequently, but not always, a thematic reading.

Although each responders context can differ, a text can always hold meaning for those responding, no matter what their context is. These meanings will differ with context, yet a text will still hold some valued meaning.

This can be identified through study of Gwen Harwood's poems, "Father and Child", and "At Mornington", as it can be seen within these texts, not only does a dominant reading exist, which is most relevant to myself in these texts, but many variant readings are also present.

The dominant reading of a text, is the interpretation that most responders will have of a text, as long as no ideas within the text, focus upon concepts that relate to a specific context, such as feminism.

The dominant reading of "Father and Child" is seen to be that of a thematic view. This text raises several 'universal' themes, such as a concern for time passing by, and the loss of innocence that comes as a child gains experience.

To those who view this text from the dominant perspective, techniques such as the way in which the text is structured, would raise the concern for time passing. The structure of "Father and Child", separates childhood, from adulthood, through two 'sub-poems', illustrating that this text emphasises time moving on. Furthermore, language use, such as the phrase - " Father and child we stand in times long promised land...", again emphasises that time is of concern.

Also, this dominant reading would highlight Harwood's use of violent, visual imagery, in portraying the child murdering the owl - ."..dropped and dribbled through loose straw, tangling bowels." Through this technique, the loss of innocence, that is occasioned through experience is emphasised.

As context changes, so too does the interpretation of a text by a responder. Considering a contextual change between responders, it is to be noted that meaning will change. Someone who understands psychoanalysis, although they can perceive the dominant reading, they also, due to their context, place more focus upon elements that reflect Freudian concepts. Several aspects within "Father and Child", can be consider to reflect Freudian ideas.

Firstly, the female child of the text, murders a 'male' owl - "He swayed, ruined...", which she does, as she rivals her fathers power - "old No-sayer robbed of power by sleep." Furthermore, the child steals her - "fathers gun", a strong phallic symbol. These elements of the text, which are emphasised differently, and to a lesser extent by a dominant reading, are heavily noted, with the contextual difference of psychoanalytical understanding having been added.

Extension of a responders context once more, to include a post modern perspective, would once again alter, but not diminish, the meaning presented by "Father and Child." A post modern perspective focuses upon both elements associated with revolt against order, and authority, as well as considering lateral connections between texts.

With post modern context, "Father and Child" demonstrates the individual revolt against authority, as the persona defies her father, who is the authoritative figure, and sneaks out with his gun. Similarity, can be drawn to psychoanalytical context in this element, however, in Freudian vision, taking power is a rivalry of a deeper, more subconscious level, whilst post modernists view the taking of power as revolting against common, communist style dictatorships.

Furthermore, a responder with post modern context, would also highlight the allusion to King Lear - "Be your tears wet"", as this is an example of lateral connection between Harwood's "Father and Child", and William Shakespeare's King Lear, as this is a direct quote spoken by Cordelia, Lear's youngest and most trust worthy daughter, during the play. This allusion to King Lear provides a connection between the relationships of father and daughter in the two texts.

In order to further emphasise to you, that a text will hold different meaning for responders of different contexts, it is useful to consider, a second text of Harwood's, "At Mornington" .

Through consideration of "At Mornington" it is evident that a biblical perspective can be taken. Although this reading is apparent within "Father and Child"