In Gwen Harwood’s poem “In the park,” the speaker conveys the emotions of motherhood while feeling detached from society, a topic often unspoken among women. The poem primarily explores the transformation of one’s identity due to circumstances. The protagonist, a woman, is portrayed as being eroded by the birth of her three children. The phrase ‘her clothes are out of date’ employs present tense to illustrate her transition from a vibrant and captivating individual to someone whose existence solely relies on her children, shaping her entire life.
The phrase ‘Two children whine and bicker, tug her skirt;’ creates a feeling of despair by using imagery. Even though the children try to get her attention, she ignores them. Her ex-boyfriend represents her previous life which has been overshadowed by her new role as a mother. This transformation causes her to forget about her past. However, everything changes when she meets an old lover. She realizes that her life has taken an unwanted direction; she has missed out on opportunities and lost touch with who she really is due to the demands of being a mother.
The woman has devoted all her energy to her spouse and offspring. When she comes across her former partner, she feels self-resentment for her altruistic commitment and desires she had opted for an alternate route. Nonetheless, like any typical mother, she hides her feelings and continues conversing about their children, including their birthdays and associated affairs. The poem ends with the woman addressing the wind, magnifying with hyperbole that her children have entirely engulfed her. This emphasizes the solitude and absence of her personal identity as she approaches middle age and becomes engrossed in the lives of her children.
This imagery portrays the idea of Gwen Harwood’s life being swept away by the wind, emphasizing its irreversible nature. Although the poem is set in a park, it is not solely about Gwen Harwood’s life but rather a plea for help on behalf of all women. It underscores the significance of friendships and strong relationships, while also shedding light on the sorrow experienced by parents whose lives are drastically altered by the arrival of children.
