SOURCE: Heseltine, Harry. “The Uncertain Self: Notes on the Development of Australian Literary Form.” In Review of National Literatures: Australia, edited by L. A. C. Dobrez, pp. 85-113. New York: Griffin House Publications, 1982.

In the following excerpt, Heseltine comments on Australian prose and poetry of the nineteenth century, noting the persistent theme of personal uncertainty in many of these works.

What do I know? myself alone, a gulf of uncreated night, wherein no star may e'er be shown save I create it in my might. 

Christopher Brennan, Poems [1913], No. 42

On a swing at midnight in the black park. Between poplars which are towers of light for a hidden street lamp and inky she-oaks my arc is maintained. From lighter to darker I go, from dark to light; but only, as ever, to return.

Chris Wallace-Crabbe, “The Swing”

The main vantage points from which Australian literary history has been...