Consumerism and materialism have manipulated the values of individuals and their place in society. Enter without so much as Knocking is a free verse poem that depicts the life of a typical man living in the suburbs. From birth he is immediately exposed to the harsh reality of a materialistic world. Expectations, guidelines and commands come rushing towards him. Dawe stresses this point through the baby hearing consumerism through the television, as opposed to the voices of his family, Hello, hello, hello all you lucky people (5).

Consumerism conveyed via the television set evidently becomes the child’s religion in his suburban life. His stereo-typical family, one economy-sized Mum, one Anthony Squires- / Coolstream-Summerweight Dad, … two other kids / straight off the Junior Department rack (11-13), shows a stereotyped materialistic family lacking individ

Despite solitary reflective moments as a child, he enters the real world and is instantly polluted with the filth of society. Waving goodbye to the stars, he rapidly picks up what is expected of him, and lives a life dedicated to consumption and competition. Now a part of the commercialised and materialistic world, he no longer shows any emotion, and he is now realistic. In other words, fake: … it’s Number One every time / for this chicken, hit wherever you see a head and / kick whoever’s down (38 – 41). He has learnt modern society’s survival skills, selfishness and greed. Any actions are justified as long as he ends up on top.

Escaping the clutches of a consumer based materialistic life, Dawe turns his mockery to Australian Rules football in Life-Cycle. It has become a religion and a general cycle for some Victorians enthralled within their materialistic world of conformity, commercialism and consumerism. From birth …they are wrapped in the club-colours (2), baptised into their parent’s favourite football team. The overwhelmed child has no alternative but to be accepting of his parent’s decision. Undoubtedly, his purpose in life will be consumed by football and not the true religion of Christianity.

We would think there would be hope somewhere in society. The “Yarra Bank angels” are introduced as a ploy to believe there is care. We are sadly mistaken as they tear up their song-books … and trudged down town to drown their grief in bars. (22-24). Assonance is evident as the poet portrays the indulgence in consumer items to suppress one’s grief. Living in a material world encom

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