The Early Settlers by Ken Chau

techniques: pun, alliteration, vulgar slang, ambiguous pronouns

The Early Settlers by Ken Chau

1. How does this title refer to two groups of ‘settlers’? Who are they?

2. How is the first line of the poem successful at being ‘forceful’ regarding the Great-Grandfather’s presence in Australia?

3. What action are the ‘early settlers’ doing that gives them equally a strong presence?

4. How is the intention of the Great-Grandfather juxtaposed to the beliefs of the ‘early settlers’?

5. What action does the Great-Grandfather do that ties him both to the ‘early settlers’ and to his own culture?
6. How does this short poem highlight the irony of the hatred that immigrants experience when they come to a 'settled' land like Australia?