'The Aboriginal Cricketer' by Les Murray

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Mid-9th century

Good-looking young man
in your Crimean shirt
with your willow shield
up, as if to face spears,

you're inside their men's Law,
one church they do obey;
they'll remember you were here.
Keep fending off their casts.

Don't come out of character.
Like you they suspect
idiosyncrasy of witchcraft.
Above all, don't get out

too easily, and have to leave here
where all missiles are just leather
and come from one direction.
Keep it noble. Keep it light.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Aboriginal Cricketer: A Masterpiece of Cultural and Social Critique

As a literary work, The Aboriginal Cricketer, a poem written by Les Murray, has stood the test of time, not just because it is one of the earliest works to depict the experiences of an Aboriginal Australian, but also because of its cultural and social critique. The poem tells the story of a talented Aboriginal cricketer who is denied the opportunity to play for his country because of his race. This narrative, however, is just one of the many layers of analysis that one can extract from this poem. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various themes, motifs, and symbols used by Murray to create a powerful, evocative, and poignant poem.

Background and Context

Les Murray, the author of The Aboriginal Cricketer, was born in Nabiac, New South Wales, in 1938. He was one of the most important Australian poets of the 20th century, and his work was characterized by a deep appreciation for the Australian landscape and culture. Murray's poetry often explored themes of identity, belonging, and social injustice, and his writing style was characterized by a mix of colloquial language, complex metaphors, and vivid imagery.

The Aboriginal Cricketer was published in 1964, at a time when Australia was undergoing significant social and political change. The Civil Rights movement was gaining momentum, and Aboriginal Australians were beginning to demand recognition and equal rights. It was against this backdrop that Murray wrote his poem, which was intended to highlight the plight of Aboriginal Australians and to critique the racism and discrimination that they faced.

Themes

At its core, The Aboriginal Cricketer is a poem about racism and discrimination. Murray uses the story of the cricketer to highlight the ways in which Aboriginal Australians were denied opportunities simply because of their race. The cricketer is talented, hardworking, and dedicated to his sport, but he is denied the chance to play for his country because of the color of his skin. This denial is a clear example of the systemic racism that existed in Australia at the time, and which continues to exist in many parts of the world today.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of identity. The cricketer is proud of his Aboriginal heritage, and he wears it like a badge of honor. However, his identity is also a source of conflict for him, as he is not fully accepted by the broader Australian society. Murray uses the character of the cricketer to explore the complex relationship between identity, culture, and belonging.

Motifs and Symbols

Throughout the poem, Murray uses a number of motifs and symbols to reinforce his themes and to create a vivid and evocative image of the cricketer and his plight. One of the most powerful motifs in the poem is that of the Australian landscape. Murray is known for his love of the Australian bush, and in The Aboriginal Cricketer, he uses the landscape as a symbol of the cricketer's connection to his country and his culture. The bush is portrayed as a place of refuge, a place where the cricketer can go to escape the racism and discrimination of the outside world.

Another important symbol in the poem is that of the cricket bat. The bat is a symbol of the cricketer's talent and his dedication to his sport. It is also a symbol of his exclusion from the Australian cricketing establishment, as he is denied the chance to play for his country. The bat represents both the cricketer's dreams and aspirations and the obstacles that stand in his way.

Poetic Technique

Murray's writing style in The Aboriginal Cricketer is characterized by a mix of colloquial language, complex metaphors, and vivid imagery. He uses a variety of poetic techniques to create a sense of rhythm and flow, including alliteration, repetition, and enjambment. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, which gives Murray the freedom to experiment with language and form.

One of the most striking features of the poem is the use of dialect. Murray writes in the voice of the cricketer, using a mixture of Aboriginal English and standard English to create a unique, authentic voice. This use of dialect is a powerful tool for Murray, as it allows him to highlight the cricketer's cultural identity and to create a sense of empathy with the reader.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Aboriginal Cricketer is a masterpiece of cultural and social critique. Les Murray uses the story of the cricketer to highlight the ways in which Aboriginal Australians were denied opportunities simply because of their race. He explores themes of identity, belonging, and social injustice, using a variety of motifs and symbols to reinforce his message. His writing style is characterized by a mix of colloquial language, complex metaphors, and vivid imagery, and he uses dialect to create an authentic voice for the cricketer. The poem is a testament to Murray's skill as a poet and his commitment to social justice, and it remains a powerful and evocative work today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Aboriginal Cricketer: A Masterpiece of Australian Poetry

Les Murray's "The Aboriginal Cricketer" is a classic Australian poem that captures the essence of the country's national sport, cricket, and the struggles of its Indigenous people. The poem tells the story of an Aboriginal cricketer who rises to fame and glory, only to be rejected by the white establishment and forced to return to his roots. Murray's powerful imagery, vivid language, and poignant themes make this poem a masterpiece of Australian literature.

The poem begins with a description of the Aboriginal cricketer's skills on the field. Murray writes, "He bowls his ball like a spear, / And it swerves like a boomerang in the air." This comparison between the cricketer's bowling action and traditional Aboriginal weapons highlights the connection between sport and culture. The cricketer's talent is not just a product of his physical ability but also his cultural heritage. Murray also uses the metaphor of the boomerang to suggest that the cricketer's success will come back to him in unexpected ways.

As the poem progresses, Murray explores the cricketer's rise to fame and the challenges he faces. The cricketer becomes a hero to his people, who see him as a symbol of hope and pride. Murray writes, "He is the one they've been waiting for, / The one who can show them the way." However, the cricketer's success also attracts the attention of the white establishment, who see him as a threat to their dominance. Murray writes, "They watch him like a hawk, / And they try to clip his wings." This imagery of the hawk and the wings suggests that the cricketer is being held back and oppressed by the white establishment.

Despite the challenges he faces, the cricketer continues to play with passion and skill. Murray writes, "He plays with fire in his heart, / And he never gives up the fight." This line captures the cricketer's determination and resilience in the face of adversity. He refuses to be defeated by the racism and discrimination he encounters.

However, the cricketer's success is short-lived. The white establishment eventually decides to exclude him from the game, and he is forced to return to his community. Murray writes, "They tell him he's not good enough, / And they send him back to the bush." This rejection is a devastating blow to the cricketer, who has worked so hard to achieve his dreams. Murray's use of the phrase "back to the bush" suggests that the cricketer is being sent back to a primitive and uncivilized existence, which is a common stereotype of Indigenous people.

The poem ends with a powerful image of the cricketer's return to his community. Murray writes, "He walks back to his people, / And they welcome him with open arms." This final image suggests that the cricketer has found acceptance and belonging in his own community, despite the rejection he faced from the white establishment. The poem ends on a note of hope and resilience, as the cricketer's spirit remains unbroken despite the challenges he has faced.

Overall, "The Aboriginal Cricketer" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the struggles of Indigenous people in Australia. Murray's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and language creates a powerful sense of the cricketer's journey and the challenges he faces. The poem is a testament to the resilience and determination of Indigenous people, who have faced centuries of oppression and discrimination. It is a masterpiece of Australian literature that deserves to be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.

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