Jacob by Ali Cobby Eckermann Full Poem Analysis (Module A: Bush Studies/ Inside My Mother)
In the new 2027 HSC syllabus, Ali Cobby Eckermann’s suite of poetry Inside My Mother has been included in the English Advanced Module A syllabus and is compared with Barbara Baynton’s short story anthology, Bush Studies. Jacob is one of the new poems selected for study.
Introduction to the Year 12 MODULE A: TEXTUAL CONVERSATIONS
From NESA: “Students explore the ways in which the comparative study of texts can reveal resonances and dissonances within and between texts. Students identify, interpret, analyse and evaluate the textual features, conventions, contexts, values and purposes of TWO prescribed texts. By comparing TWO texts, students understand how authors are influenced by other texts, contexts and values, and how these shape meaning. Through their comparative study, they explore common or disparate issues, values, assumptions or perspectives, and the ways these are depicted. By responding imaginatively, interpretively and critically to the comparative study, students explore and evaluate individual and common textual features, concepts, ideas and values.”
Important things to note:
- comparative study of texts can reveal resonances and dissonances between and within texts
- analyse and evaluate the textual features, conventions, contexts, values and purposes of texts
- common or disparate issues, values, assumptions or perspectives
- individual and common textual features, concepts, ideas and values
When reading the poem, think about the author’s purpose, context, values, perspectives and textual features.
Author’s purpose: Eckermann exposes the continued suppression of female voices as they remain subservient to incompetent patriarchal figures in the domestic sphere.
Context: Despite suffrage movements and female liberation and expression that is espoused by the third wave of feminism, Eckermann presents how women are ultimately expected to perform domestic duties.
Values: Eckermann promotes values of autonomy for women and disparages patriarchal expectations.
Perspectives: Eckermann critiques the male oppression of female expression that forces them to adopt a stoic acceptance of their mistreatment.
Textual features: we have included some sample IQTVEs for some key quotes in the poem. See this blog post on how to construct IQTVEs.
IQTVE sample 1: The cumulative listing in the husband’s requests “any cough lolly? where’s the smokes? waru?” critiques the husband’s incompetency and reliance on his wife for daily necessities, infantilising him and discrediting his authority in the household.
IQTVE sample 2: Eckermann evokes the audience’s sympathy towards the suppressed woman as “with weary eyes she smiles handing the new coat to him”, revealing her resigned acceptance of her subservience in the domestic sphere. Notably, his perspective is privileged through dialogue while the woman’s emotional burden is merely narrated through third person to highlight the marginalisation of female voices, confronting audiences with the patriarchal constructs still present in modern Australia.
IQTVE sample 3: Her devotion is starkly juxtaposed to the harsh metaphor “he bit her for fifty” to highlight his callous treatment of her and fiscal irresponsibility as he is “then headed for the casino”. This represents the male abandonment of familial duties as they depart for a morally bankrupt public setting, disregarding female sacrifice and perpetually their entrapment within the domestic sphere.
Curious to learn more? At JP English, we provide Year 12 students with detailed notes on the prescribed text’s main ideas, context, links to the rubric and form, sample exam questions along with sample essay paragraphs. Additionally, Year 12 lessons are strictly text based and range between 3-6 students so that each student gets detailed support for their school assessments. School assessment help is provided both during class time and outside of class time through our free online marking service. We regularly update our materials so you get the latest exam tips based on our years of experience helping HSC students excel.