1. Alienation and Isolation: The poem depicts the lives of people who are physically and emotionally detached from society. They are marginalized, overlooked, and struggling to find a sense of belonging.
2. The Impact of Social and Economic Inequality: The poem highlights the struggles of those who live on the fringes of society, forced to exist in poverty and lack of opportunity. The drifters represent the underclass, often ignored by those in positions of power.
3. The Search for Meaning and Identity: The poem suggests that the drifters are searching for something more in their lives, a sense of purpose and connection. Their aimless wandering reflects a lack of direction and a yearning for something better.
4. The Cyclical Nature of Life and Loss: The poem uses the motif of the train journey to symbolize the passage of time and the inevitability of change and loss. The drifters are caught in a cycle of hardship and disappointment, constantly moving but never truly arriving.
5. The Importance of Compassion and Empathy: Dawe invites the reader to consider the plight of the drifters and to recognize their humanity. The poem emphasizes the importance of understanding and empathy, even for those who seem different or distant.
Purpose: Ultimately, "Drifters" serves as a commentary on the social and economic inequalities of Australian society. It urges the reader to acknowledge the struggles of those who are marginalized and to consider the impact of societal structures on individual lives. The poem also serves as a call for compassion and empathy, encouraging readers to see the humanity in those who are often overlooked.
It's worth noting that the poem's purpose isn't a single, definitive message. Rather, it invites the reader to engage in a complex reflection on human experience, social structures, and the search for meaning in a challenging world.