Questions

1. What is the poem about?

2. Describe Komninos’ voice. What is the effect?

3. Imagine you know nothing of Australia. What things does the poem reveal about Australian culture?

4. What effect does the use of dialogue have?

5. How does Komninos challenge conventional ideas of Australian identity? (paragraph)

Key points

“I had to assert myself/As an Australian/As an artist/Stand up and scream it”

Suggests that he had to fight for acceptance – contradicts Australian identity/values of diversity, fair go and compassion

“I’m a poet/That’s right/A poet”

Challenges Australian identity by referring to the common view that the arts as ‘not a real man’s job’ – followed by “I earn my living by poeting/No. no other job/ No. not unemployment benefits”

“Yes, that’s right, it’s a Greek name/Yes, that’s right, there’s no English/translation”

Challenges conventional idea that English is the language of power and should be the only language recognised in Australia

Paragraph example

In his poem, Nobody calls me a wog, anymore, Komninos challenges conventional ideas of Australian identity by discussing his personal struggle to establish his identity in Australian society. In his poem he relates that because of his Greek heritage and his career he had to fight for his identity when he says “I had to assert myself/As an Australian/As an artist/Stand up and scream it.” This

challenges the idea that Australia identity involves acceptance of diversity, and that we value giving everyone a fair go, regardless of their cultural heritage or career choice.