VCE Literature Texts: Gwen Harwood

The article examines poet Gwen Harwood's compulsion for control over her poems after publication, particularly her preference for publishing poems under a collection of pseudonyms. Biographical analyses of Harwood's poetry have often focused on the division of self. Critics of Harwood's poetry argue that her construction of a public self was a ploy to mask her private life.

Click on the link to read an overview of the life and work of the writer, Gwen Harwood.

Consider the development of the writing career of Gwen Harwood in the context of the development of Australian writing from oral stories to the twenty-first century.

The article presents correspondences of Australian Gwen Harwood, "Blessed City: Letters to Thomas Riddell 1943," edited by Alison Hoddinott and "A Steady Storm of Correspondence: Selected Letters of Gwen Harwood 1943-1945," edited by Gregory Kratzmann.

This article provides an overview of the life and writing style of Gwen Harwood, and provides a analysis of many poems from her collection, "The Best 100 Poems".

A brief overview of the life and career of Gwen Harwood.

A detailed overview of the life and work of Gwen Harwood, within the context of artists in the 1960s.

In this article, the writer discusses Gwen Harwood's infamous literary takedown of editors and The Bulletin, with reference to the specific poems and her writing style.

An essay on the life and career of Gwen Harwood, through the lens of her letters and observations.

A brief overview of the career of Gwen Harwood.

Click on the link to read a brief overview of the author's life and work. You can also listen to audio of the author talking about her career and reading her poems.

Publisher synopsis, Harwood bio and editor bios.

A comprehensive guide to Collected Poems, including introductory activities, reference to language and style. ways of reading and support for responding to the text.

An analysis of Gwen Harwood's poem 'At Mornington'.

This summary sheet provides a basis for creating your own notes on this poem by Gwen Harwood. It analyses the poem in terms of themes, key quotes, poetic techniques and the impact on the reader.

In this video, Bonny Cassidy unpacks Harwood's poem, Barn Owl, exploring characteristics, appeal, wit and the idea of family.

A comprehensive overview and language analysis of the poems in Collected Poems.

This video will help build an aesthetic appreciation and analysis of Gwen Harwood's diptych poem.

Studying a book or film can be a short-cut to consigning it to boredom. But our Texts in the City series – a gift to students, their teachers and lifelong learners – brings the VCE English and Literature lists to life. In this video, Tony Birch and Kevin Brophy appraise Gwen Harwood’s Selected Poems.

Drawing on two events discussing the poetry of Gwen Harwood, Chris Wallace-Crabbe, Tony Birch, Kevin Brophy and Jenny Niven explore Harwood's playfulness, the biographical events that influenced her poetry, the influences of religion and music – and her brushes with the 'unsayable'.

This summary sheet provides a basis for creating your own notes on this poem by Gwen Harwood. It analyses the poem in terms of themes, key quotes, poetic techniques and the impact on the reader.