Modern society under the influence of the media has evolved into a materialistic, narcissistic society. This is a universal theme prominent through Dawe’s works ‘Televistas’ and ‘Breakthrough’ as well as the visual stimulus depicting the media spoon-feeding an elderly man. As social commentaries, these works examine the negative effects of the domination of the media on the core values that underpin the society. We are encouraged to question the dictatorship we have appointed to the media.
‘Televistas’ highlights the lack of independence present in today’s society. The superficiality of the personas’ relationship as well as the passive lifestyle we have adopted is the core of Dawe’s concern. The title ‘Televistas’, literally meaning television …show more content…
This poem explores the exploitive effect of advertising. The title itself implies this. It is ironic because the word ‘breakthrough’ is used out of context. In this case, the breakthrough is that advertising has moved into a heavenly sphere. Now, nothing is scared in the world of advertising. The poem bitterly mocks and laments this fact. Even the death of a young girl will not hinder the advertising world. The poem opens with an epitaph. “A little girl is reported to have dies happily in hospital singing an advertising commercial”. The little girl has died, not comforted by her family or a religious representative, but by an advertisement’s song. The italicised report employs black humor to suggest the destructive effects of a child’s overexposure to commercialism and critises the media’s ability to easily disregard and desensitize death. There is no respect or sympathy paid to the passing of the girl. Insetad, an advertisement director begins the poem demanding “full volume” from “the celestial choir!” The advertising jargon paired with ‘Godly’ references evokes anger from readers. Dawe points to the media’s exploitation of anything to sell a product, such as using “the sales appeal of infancy” but exaggerates with the use of a dying girl. It is implied that neither reality or ethics play a part in the media’s commercialism of life. The second stanza initially adopts a more sympathetic and respectful reaction to the death. Words like “little” and “frail” effectively amplifies the girl’s vulnerability thus evoking horror when her “frail heart crumples like a paper cup”. This is the treatment the girl should have been receiving from the beginning. There is a stark contrast to the intrusive, loud brashness that is reasserted in the next line. Dawe indicates his concerns surrounding modern society being dominated by advertising and the idea that we have replaced the