Tangi
The poem “Tangi” is written by Hone Tuwhare and is about grief, it is about death in general, rather than the death of a particular person. Tuwhare writes the poem first, at a traditional Christian funeral and then at a Maori tangi. It is shown how the author feels a sense of belonging and feels at home in his own culture.
The use of negatives by Hone Tuwhare at the Christian funeral creates a feeling that Tuwhare feels alone and somewhat disconnected. The negatives used are that of “not” and “nor” these negatives successfully create a negative mood, showing further that Tuwhare feels lost and out of place at this funeral. This tone changes dramatically to a much more positive tone when Tuwhare is at the tangi, much more positive words such as “heard” and “caught.” Tuwhare feels a sense of belonging within his culture and ultimately he feels closure.
There is great contrast between the two funerals in this poem. The differences contrasted are the differences between the two funerals and Tuwhare makes it clear to see his personal preference. It is evident that the first funeral is a Christian funeral because Tuwhare write “on the bordered path” and “in the frolic of violets” which makes it clear the funeral is a formal, Christian funeral as violets are flowers prominently associated with England, the mention of a bordered path gives an image of a very formal and traditional occasion, which Tuwhare makes obvious, does not suit him at all. The second funeral is shown as a tangi because of the quotes “green-leaved anguish” which is relating to the green leaved items which Maori women wear on their heads at funerals. Also he says “the bowed heads of old women” which is giving the image of the old Maori women with their heads bowed in mourning. The poem clearly contrasts the difference between the Christopher funeral the tangi. The tone changes in the second half of the poem to a more positive tone, this shows Tuwhares opinion on the two funerals and how he feels different cultures grieve differently.
These two techniques make this poem a very heartfelt and nice poem. The author’s purpose in this poem is to show the way the two different cultures react to death and grieve differently. The way the author has used these techniques has really changed the tone when he changes funerals. The use of negatives shows how Tuwhare feels in the Christian funeral and how these changes to more positive words show that Tuwhare feels more comfortable and of peace, at a tangi.
Oliver Fredrickson
The poem “Tangi” is written by Hone Tuwhare and is about grief, it is about death in general, rather than the death of a particular person. Tuwhare writes the poem first, at a traditional Christian funeral and then at a Maori tangi. It is shown how the author feels a sense of belonging and feels at home in his own culture.
The use of negatives by Hone Tuwhare at the Christian funeral creates a feeling that Tuwhare feels alone and somewhat disconnected. The negatives used are that of “not” and “nor” these negatives successfully create a negative mood, showing further that Tuwhare feels lost and out of place at this funeral. This tone changes dramatically to a much more positive tone when Tuwhare is at the tangi, much more positive words such as “heard” and “caught.” Tuwhare feels a sense of belonging within his culture and ultimately he feels closure.
There is great contrast between the two funerals in this poem. The differences contrasted are the differences between the two funerals and Tuwhare makes it clear to see his personal preference. It is evident that the first funeral is a Christian funeral because Tuwhare write “on the bordered path” and “in the frolic of violets” which makes it clear the funeral is a formal, Christian funeral as violets are flowers prominently associated with England, the mention of a bordered path gives an image of a very formal and traditional occasion, which Tuwhare makes obvious, does not suit him at all. The second funeral is shown as a tangi because of the quotes “green-leaved anguish” which is relating to the green leaved items which Maori women wear on their heads at funerals. Also he says “the bowed heads of old women” which is giving the image of the old Maori women with their heads bowed in mourning. The poem clearly contrasts the difference between the Christopher funeral the tangi. The tone changes in the second half of the poem to a more positive tone, this shows Tuwhares opinion on the two funerals and how he feels different cultures grieve differently.
These two techniques make this poem a very heartfelt and nice poem. The author’s purpose in this poem is to show the way the two different cultures react to death and grieve differently. The way the author has used these techniques has really changed the tone when he changes funerals. The use of negatives shows how Tuwhare feels in the Christian funeral and how these changes to more positive words show that Tuwhare feels more comfortable and of peace, at a tangi.
Oliver Fredrickson
