Bruce Dawe is an Australian poet who has written many works that explore various themes and issues that are relevant to society. One of his most famous poems is "Search and Destroy," which takes a critical look at the concept of war and the ways in which it impacts individuals and communities.
In this poem, Dawe uses a variety of techniques to convey his message, including the use of imagery, repetition, and rhetorical questions. The title itself, "Search and Destroy," immediately sets the tone for the poem and sets up the theme of war and destruction. The poem begins with a description of a helicopter flying over a village, searching for the enemy. The imagery of the helicopter, with its "huge rotors beating the air into submission," creates a sense of power and dominance, as if the helicopter is a force to be reckoned with.
Dawe goes on to describe the destruction that the helicopter wreaks on the village, as it "hoses everything in sight" with bullets and missiles. The repetition of the phrase "hoses everything in sight" serves to emphasize the indiscriminate nature of the violence, as the helicopter does not discriminate between enemy combatants and civilians. This use of repetition also creates a sense of inevitability and despair, as if the destruction is an unstoppable force that cannot be avoided.
Throughout the poem, Dawe uses rhetorical questions to challenge the reader's assumptions about war and to encourage them to think more deeply about the consequences of violence. For example, he asks, "What are they fighting for?" and "What do they expect to find?" These questions serve to highlight the absurdity and futility of war, as it is often unclear what the ultimate goal is or what the fighting is supposed to achieve.
In the final stanza, Dawe shifts his focus to the soldiers themselves, who are "all young and keen and clean." He asks, "What will they find when they go home?" This question serves to underscore the fact that war has a lasting impact on those who participate in it, and that the soldiers will be forever changed by their experiences.
Overall, "Search and Destroy" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges readers to consider the consequences of war and the ways in which it affects individuals and communities. Through the use of imagery, repetition, and rhetorical questions, Dawe effectively conveys his message and encourages readers to think more deeply about the issue of war and its impact on society.
