Being in the military, I related to this poem maybe the most out of all of the poems that I have read thus far. It is taught from day one to listen to those of power and never question their decisions nor their actions. In this poem, the reader finds that 600 men died following a wrong decision by a higher ranking official. The poem follows the "half a league" through their battle through cannon fire etc. It is also worth noting that line 16 references a line from Psalm 23. The significance of this line, shows that the 600 men had no fear because of their faith.
Understanding that those of higher ranking blundered and still follow into battle is a sign of respect. I understand the rationale because dying a warriors death is the most noblest ways of dying. Not all fell in battle, yet many did. Those that survived as said in the last stanza, they will be honored with no end in sight. Another relatable fact that I found is that all of the 600 followed into the war and yes some survived but mutany was not an option. They knew of the blunder, but did not followed anyway.
I relate to this poem because even today in the military today, decisions are still left up to those of higher ranking, no matter the risk.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Crossing the Bar
The poem begins with the beginning of a voyage to sea. The speaker hopes for a peaceful start to his journey by saying, "And may there be no moaning of the bar" (ll. 3). I was somewhat confused on the "moaning of bar" but the foot note helped with the meaning. In the first stanza, I found it odd, that a journey would be began at nightfall instead of daybreak. I believe that whatever the mission, there was secrecy involved.
Rereading the poem again, I believe that it is a poem about death/dying. The reasoning behind this is the last line when the speaker wants to see is "pilot" which in my opinion referes to God. I relate back to my first impression of the poem, and understand that its a funeral of sort. When people die, they are cast into the sea and usually the ceremony is held at night, which would shed light on the journey beginning at sunset. Also to help prove this point, in the third stanza the speaker wishes that, "there be no sadness of farewell,/ When I embark" (ll. 11-12).
I contend that the speaker is dying these are his final wishes.
Rereading the poem again, I believe that it is a poem about death/dying. The reasoning behind this is the last line when the speaker wants to see is "pilot" which in my opinion referes to God. I relate back to my first impression of the poem, and understand that its a funeral of sort. When people die, they are cast into the sea and usually the ceremony is held at night, which would shed light on the journey beginning at sunset. Also to help prove this point, in the third stanza the speaker wishes that, "there be no sadness of farewell,/ When I embark" (ll. 11-12).
I contend that the speaker is dying these are his final wishes.
The Kraken
It is very ironic that I am writing about this poem, due to the fact that I am watching Clash of the Titans, the Harry Hamlin version not the remake. Watching this movie, I am reminded that the Kraken was a force used by the gods, Hades especially, for obedience. In the poem, the reader see that the kraken has not been awaken for centuries and his slumber will never be disturbed. I cannot help but notice that his sleep will go unnoticed due to rise of christianity and the fall of polytheism. With the greek gods no longer being worshipped, the Kraken whose sole purpose was to fulfill the will of vengeful gods, no longer has a purpose.
The speaker in the last lines show that the Kraken will slumber until the end of the earth when he will rise but it will be for his own death.
The speaker in the last lines show that the Kraken will slumber until the end of the earth when he will rise but it will be for his own death.
Thou Art Indeed Just, Lord
Religion or belief in a higher being is at the core of every man, woman and child. This poem is starts with a disclaimer with the speaker understanding that the Lord is a just lord. However, the speaker begins to question. I find this to be a questioning of faith. This poem is a response to an event that leads one to question why does a "just" lord allow "unjust" actions.
I connected with this poem because I have questioned my faith and like the ending of the poem, the speaker says, " Mine, O thou lord of life, send my roots rain." On the first reading I gathered that the speaker is asking for nourishment, a replenishment of his faith. I add to this by saying that the speaker wants some kind of sign to validate his faith. From my point of view, faith is an unquestioning belief and knowing.
I find this poem to be relatable for many individuals no matter the faith. This poem takes the stance of "why me" each person has asked that question once.
I connected with this poem because I have questioned my faith and like the ending of the poem, the speaker says, " Mine, O thou lord of life, send my roots rain." On the first reading I gathered that the speaker is asking for nourishment, a replenishment of his faith. I add to this by saying that the speaker wants some kind of sign to validate his faith. From my point of view, faith is an unquestioning belief and knowing.
I find this poem to be relatable for many individuals no matter the faith. This poem takes the stance of "why me" each person has asked that question once.
Preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray
To understand this poem, one must know the story of Dorian Gray. Gray was a gentleman of England who after his portrait had been painted found that he did not age, his painted portrait aged instead. This poem is not from Gray's perspective, yet it is taking into account the role of the artist. It asks the question, what is or are the artist's responsibility when painting a portrait. In my opinion the artist is responsible for only the product.
Adding more to the back story of Gray, he became a tirant, and was feared. I also believe that this poem does take in account that if blame is placed on the artist, then writers etc should be blamed as well. One line that stands out to me is when Wilde says, "No artist is ever morbid. The artist can express everything." This line states it perfectly that whatever the product is it is the artist's responsibility to show the truth.
However, the last line, " All art is quite useless." This line for me means that it should not take art for those to see what is basically in front of one's face. Which makes art useless.
Adding more to the back story of Gray, he became a tirant, and was feared. I also believe that this poem does take in account that if blame is placed on the artist, then writers etc should be blamed as well. One line that stands out to me is when Wilde says, "No artist is ever morbid. The artist can express everything." This line states it perfectly that whatever the product is it is the artist's responsibility to show the truth.
However, the last line, " All art is quite useless." This line for me means that it should not take art for those to see what is basically in front of one's face. Which makes art useless.
Oscar Wilde A Girl
To express love in poetry is nothing new, but it is an artform. In this poem, the speaker is expressing his love for a girl, and with this comes a poem with beautiful imagery and beautiful expressed sentiment. I like the way in which it begins with the speaker starting wi th "A girl," (ll 1). With the poem starting this way, it can be read that it can and should represent any and every girl due to the fact that many believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The poem goes on to show that her beauty is a work that only the heavens could conceive. I like the sentiment because the object of the speaker's affection is describes as being beautiful, yet she had no part in her beauty. To me, I would like to see more than a poem about someone beautful. It does show that the object of the narratror doe have a heart which means her beauty is only surpassed by the capacity of her heart.
Overall, the poem fell into the category of being an ode. It expresses love, beauty and sentiment.
The poem goes on to show that her beauty is a work that only the heavens could conceive. I like the sentiment because the object of the speaker's affection is describes as being beautiful, yet she had no part in her beauty. To me, I would like to see more than a poem about someone beautful. It does show that the object of the narratror doe have a heart which means her beauty is only surpassed by the capacity of her heart.
Overall, the poem fell into the category of being an ode. It expresses love, beauty and sentiment.
Symphony in Yellow
Refering to the title, which leads the reader into the realm of yellow and like a symphony, there are many layers, sounds and textures. These textures, sound and sights are represented in the three stanzas of the poem. In the first stanza, the narrator describes a bus crossing the Thames river. Relating back to the title of the poem, the bus represents a visual of a butterfly.
The poem represents in my opinion, how Wilde, is the conductor of a symphony and yellow is the piece of music that is being played and each section represents the sections of the symphony. This is more noticeable in the last stanza. The speaker goes into how the changing of the seasons is like the crescendo of a beautifully written symphony.
The poem ends with a constrast from the yellow. The speaker goes into how the Thames is pale green and at his feet. I believe he mentioned the river because every action that has happened thus far has been around the Thames.
The poem represents in my opinion, how Wilde, is the conductor of a symphony and yellow is the piece of music that is being played and each section represents the sections of the symphony. This is more noticeable in the last stanza. The speaker goes into how the changing of the seasons is like the crescendo of a beautifully written symphony.
The poem ends with a constrast from the yellow. The speaker goes into how the Thames is pale green and at his feet. I believe he mentioned the river because every action that has happened thus far has been around the Thames.
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