How the bush is represented in Australia and America by Les Murray's poetry and the film "of mice and men"? This essay is about the representations of both texts in relation to the above question.

The bush can be defined as a wild, uncleared country area. The poetry of Les Murray and the film "Of Mice and Men" represents and values the bush differently because of the different countries and time periods. Les Murray's poetry is set in the 1950's in Australia, while the film "Of Mice and Men" is set in the 1930's (depression period) in America.

Three of Les Murray's poems represent the bush life in Australia. These poems are The Mitchells, The Widower in the Country and Driving through Sawmill Towns. These poems appreciate the quiet activities of the farm and the lonely folk who live out their lives in quiet country towns. These activities are different from the tough and rough bush life in America.

The Mitchells, which is written in first person, recognises the calm, unhurried ways of the bushman 'and will, after dinner, raise I think for wires'.

Playa América

English: Australian poet Les Murray, photographed ...

English: Les Murray

Two men who are related by their last name of 'Mitchell' are quietly working on raising poles for wires. The use of 'prune tin' as a kettle shows the bush life through reusing objects rather than involving modern technology. 'One has been rich, but never stopped wearing his oil-stained felt hat' could also show the reusing items, but could also suggest not wasting money on unnecessary items even if money is no problem. The 'Styrofoam box' which is the modern technology is not the same deal as the felt hat or prune tin. The men still talk about farming and the drought, which was and still is the main problem for people in the bush. The poem suggests that bush life is always the same and it is never changing, it is always a 'ritual' and the friendship between the two men has been forever.