Imagery

This part of the study guide focuses on the imagery found in “This Land” by Ian Mudie and the language devices that help create it: metaphors, similes, and personifications.

By imagery, we refer to descriptive language aimed at conveying vivid mental images to the readers. “This Land” abounds in imagery as it is a description of the Australian landscape. Almost each stanza gives the readers a visual or sensory detail that helps them imagine different aspects of the landscape. Stanza one creates t…

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Similes

Two similes are used in the text and they are both related to the idea of feelings suggested by the word “heart”. The first simile “like heart and blood” (l. 10) helps compare the land’s movements with blood pumping through the heart. This simile also conveys the…

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Metaphors and personifications

The poem includes multiple metaphors and personifying metaphors. The “harsh land to wring music from” (l.1) associates the land with a musical instrument to suggest it is a source of inspiration and creativity.

The “cutting-harsh” (l. 5) words associate poetry with a sharp instrument to convey the idea that the speaker wants his words to leave a strong impression,…