Lines of Continuity in Douglas Stewart's Poetry and Verse Plays

Abstract

Douglas Stewart (1913-1985), a New Zealander by birth and an Australian by choice, was a poet, verse dramatist, balladist and short story writer. As editor of the Red Page of the 'Bulletin' (1940 to 1961), his role extended to critical essays collected in 'The Flesh and the Spirit' and 'The Broad Stream', though his contribution to Australian literature was in his recognition and promotion of new poets and authors whose work became a significant part of the Australian literary canon. Stewart's poetic preoccupations were diverse; this is evident in the 'Green Lions' and 'The White Cry', both published while he lived in New Zealand, and while they evoked the notions of a young poet, the potential indicated was for continuing recognition as the poet matured. His poetry employs vernacular language (even colloquial, at times), yet it is language capable of dwelling on profound philosophical concerns. This is particularly so in his later verse and plays. Preoccupations evident in Stewart's New Zealand verse continued to surface in his Australian productions. Themes associated with solitude, heroism and nature are present in his earliest lyrics and in the diverse range of his Australian lyrics, ballads and verse plays. Stewart's dramas, such as 'Ned Kelly' and 'The Fire on the Snow' made his reputation, but critical focus on these and on his extended verse sequences does not always recognise the continuity of his work considered as a whole. This thesis is concerned to show some of the continuities.