Beginning of Essay
The poetry of Gwen Harwood reflects a great deal on the values of society and of Harwood herself. These values are clearly shown in her poems "Home of Mercy" and "An Impromptu for Ann Jennings". In both of these poems Harwood explores contrasting views of women. ....

Middle of Essay
.... Harwood presents to us the women in this poem are that through childbirth they have been bought closer together and have become emotionally stronger. There is no mention of the husband's in the poem which also leads the reader to believe that the women are independent and strong. The opening two stanzas are very reflective of their times together. "Sing, memory, sing those seasons in the freezing suburb of Fern Tree, a rock-shaded place with tree ferns, gullies, snowfalls and eye-pleasing prospects from paths along the mountain-face" The first stanza in particular describes the setting in wonderful imagery. From this we are able to create an i ....