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
Im a poet/Thats right/A poet
Challenges Australian identity by referring to the common view that the arts as not a real
mans job followed by I earn my living by poeting/No. no other job/ No. not
unemployment benefits
Yes, thats right, its a Greek name/Yes, thats right, theres 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.