Battle of the Bards: Unpacking the Rural vs Urban Literary Debate
2025-02-06
The Australian
The Australian literary scene has long been abuzz with the infamous 'Poetry Wars' of the 1960s, pitting rural voices like Les Murray against urban modernists such as John Tranter. This longstanding debate sparks interesting discussions on the role of literature in capturing the essence of Australian culture. With the likes of modernist poetry and bush ballads, the clash of styles raises questions about the relevance of traditional forms in contemporary Australian literature. As we navigate the evolving landscape of Australian poetry, we revisit the timeless debate between rural and urban literary traditions.
