In the poem ‘In the Folk Museum’ Peter Skrzynecki recalls feelings of alienation and cultural isolation as he reminisces on his experiences in his poem ‘In the Folk Museum’ and expresses his failure to connect to Australia's rural history and heritage. The composer is unable to relate to the memorabilia within the museum, and as a result, his presence in the museum lacks purpose and becomes meaningless. The atmosphere is introduced with "the absence of voices" creating a sense of silence and stillness suggesting the persona is deserted within the "darkness" of the museum.

The rambling listing of displayed items in "machinery, clothes, transport, a Victorian Bedroom" suggests a lack of engagement and appreciation of objects of cultural importance.