Les Murray's The widower in the country explores the deep contemplation of the protagonist, who has become the widower after the tragic consequence of the death of his wife. This is evident from the title The widower in the country. Since the word death is associated with elegy and demise, it can be said that Les Murray is very effective in portraying the protagonist with a sense of sadness and consequently excites pity, sadness and sorrow.

This poem is set in the country, whereby located with mountains nearby. This is evident from the following reference; `I'll stand out on the hill and watch the house away below.' The presence of trees and paddocks also has a dramatic impression on the reader, seeing as though it creates the image of the country before ones' eyes. `I'll drive my axe in the log and come back in with my...