Consumerism

Consumerism Speech It is the acquisition of consumer goods and a large part of our society. This is what we call consumerism. The poet, Bruce Dawe believes Consumerism is a major issue affecting our society by having a negative effect on our beliefs and values. Bruce Dawe’s poetry and the poem called `Consumerism, Merely another God!’ By Ross Dix-Peek convey powerful images that raise many issues and concerns that significantly affect the responder and their world. The poem ‘Enter without so much as knocking’ reflects the impact of consumerism on modern society. `Enter without so much as knocking’ explores the birth of a child and how the child’s innocence is corrupted and destroyed by consumerism as he enters adulthood. The quote ‘like every other well-equipped smoothly-run household, his included one economy-size mum, one Anthony Squires-Cool stream-Summer weight Dad, along with two other kids straight off the Junior Department rack’ shows as soon as the character is born he is surrounded by consumerism. The family is described with the language of commerce, for example economy-size mum, this reflects the fact that consumerism judges people on what they own or buy. Dawe suggests that consumerism now defines our identity and that we lack individuality. Another quote ‘pretty soon he was old enough to be realistic like every other godless money-hungry-back-stabbing miserable so-and-so’ shows that the once innocent child has now succumbed to consumerism and is now like everyone else in the real world. Similar to `Enter without so much as knocking’, another of Bruce Dawe’s poems, `Televistas’, also reflects the impact of consumerism on modern society.` Televistas’ explores a couple’s relationship and their lives which are mapped out through the TV shows that they watch. The quote `Fortune smiled between commercials, dreams were swapped and futures planned...’ is very ironic as the genuine decisions of life have become rushed and hurried to fit into the schedule of the TV. This shows that the couples’ lives are centred on the TV as the TV seems more important than their own ‘dreams’ and ‘futures’. The irony is seen as ‘fortune smiled’ which is positive but it isn’t authentic as the dreams and futures that were planned are rushed and poorly planned. Dawe suggests we have no time for communication or actual living. Another quote ‘Right between the ‘Carol Burnett’ and the ‘David Letterman show’ they fell in love and shared a Samboy...’ shows the poet referring to popular TV talk shows. Again it is only between these talk shows that the couple fall in love. Their ‘Love’ is juxtaposed with the ‘Samboys’ chips. Love is seen as a warm and passionate emotion but it is followed by Samboys, which is a cheap and unhealthy junk food. Dawe implies we no longer value love as much as before and that consumerism is to blame. The related text is a poem called `Consumerism, Merely another God!’ by Ross Dix-Peek is similar to Bruce Dawe’s poetry as it also depicts consumerism as a negative influence on today’s society. The poet uses repetition of the word ‘we’ which is inclusive of the responder and to an extent, the rest of humanity. The quote `We don’t ask why, we just buy’ implies that all humanity does is go and purchase consumer goods without any thought or objection. The simile `like mere robots’ used in the poem further reinforces how mindless and foolish humanity has become in the face of consumerism. The poet suggests that consumerism has led to humanity becoming sheep and all we do is buy unnecessary consumer goods. The context in which Bruce Dawe wrote his poetry was during the 1960s and 70s in the post World war two era. During this time there was an economic ‘boom’ around the world, especially in America. This lead to the development and spread of consumerism. This may have shaped the way Bruce Dawe wrote his poems as he saw consumerism as a negative impact on society. He then decided to communicate his opinion on the issue through his poems.