'Noble Savage' Analysis + Response

Poem

Romantic notions
Of sub human species
Free from the social
Constraints of its day

Alas the noble savage
Works factory floors
Collects social welfare
Is but a shadow of himself

Whilst Civilized man

Hunts the concrete jungle

Controlling the market forces

Becoming a god to himself

Noble savage

Return to the shadows

Of imagination now gone

Savage to be noble and free

Analysis 

When analysing the poem, we see that it is neat and at the start of every stanza, there is a subtitle of sorts. For example, "Alas the noble savage" or "Romantic Notions." The title of the poem is contradictory in itself and the poem is filled with stereotypes such as "civilised man hunts the concrete jungle." This quote representing white people with other quotes obviously being aimed at The Maori or Pacifica people. In the second line, the poem portrays Maori and Pacific island people as not quite human as the line "sub human species' indicates that they are below what a human being should be. However in the second stanza, white people are portrayed as being civilised people or more as Strickson-Pua compares them to god. Because of these stereotypes, the poem has a mocking tone and feel to it. The last stanza, in my opinion, is the most important as it has a sense of resignation while at the same time, a sense of freedom has overcome the poem as well. "Return to the shadows of imagination now gone savage to be noble and free." This quote re-emphasizes the idea that the poet is coming to terms with his cultural identity. His acceptance of this is an emotional and powerful ending to the poem. 

Response

We are not a 'sub-human race.' We are humans.  The same level as the Pakeha and every other race. We have suffered far more than others could imagine. These civilised men think they are above us but they need to think again. We are all built and designed the same way. Sure, we may have different coloured skin and speak different languages but that does not give others the right to try and rise up and be better than everyone else. Who the hell do they think they are? The nerve of some people really gets to me. I wish for one day they were put in our place from the start. Just so that they could see how things would be different under different circumstances. Its funny, just thinking how stupid we would look in their clothes, with their wigs on.  Just as stupid as how they would look with Moku's and skirts. To see how and if they would do things differently would be a joyous sight. If they had our land or went through our struggles, how would they deal with the situations differently?

Even today we are still doing what is expected of us. We could be doctors, pilots even Policeman. Unfortunately, we struggle. We struggle with everyday life. The things that are thrown at us, the things that we are born with or without and the life we are given from the start. I'm sure a lot us want better than what we had as kids for our own children, but it's not that easy. We, as a people, should encourage ourselves to be better; strive for more and be happy with only the best. We should not be happy with the worst because we are worth better. Our island nations have kept us alive and kept us thriving even through the toughest of times. We as the people of the pacific, are strong and will not bow down. We will stand as tall as any of our neighbours because we know we are equal. We as the human race, are all equal.