'What Body Part Do I Need to Sell?': Poetic Re-presentations of Experiences of Poverty and Fear from Low-income Australians Receiving Welfare Benefits

Abstract

Following the work of Laurel Richardson, narratives from conversations with low-income Australians are re-presented in poetical form. It is argued that this form of re-presentation more closely resembles the teller's intent compared to other forms of narrative analysis, through the use of specific poetical devices that capture the emotional experience of the story. Narrative poetry thus enables readers to experience the teller's intent on a more visceral level, potentially encouraging greater engagement and action on the reader's behalf. Qualitative researchers require a variety of interpretive tools to suit their research intentions, and poetic re-presentation is shown to be useful if the intention is to more closely understand the lived experience of individuals living on the margins.