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.
The Lady in the Looking-Glass: A Reflection
In the beginning of the the short story, the reader is given a visual of the home inwhich Isabella Tyson lives. This story to me is about perception and when that is broken, one can truly see a person for who they really are. The narrator goes through the room inwhich she is sitting and examines all the furniture and other items, by doing this the narrator is building on how all she knows of Ms. Tyson is through her home and its insight it gives on her.
The one thing in the story that stood out to me was how as the narrator spoke of the reflection in the gilded mirror hanging on the wall. Through the mirror, the narrator spoke of how in the reflection everything looks still, and none timeless. I believe that with reflections, show the truth of everything, which is the lesson that the narrator learns in the end of the story.
The story goes through all that the narrator sees by looking into the mirror and examining the reflections. What I found interesting about this story is that through the reflections the narrator sees Ms. Tyson's lonliness. One comment that I had is that Ms. Tyson, I do not believe that it was intentional on the part of Ms. Tyson to have this fascade. I believe that people see what they want to see and if people were actually interested in knowing you, they would be able to see through all that.
It was not until the end of the story that the narrator and reader finally sees the truth. I believe that when the narrator finds out the truth that Ms. Tyson is human and actually has bills (is normal) it is a little disheartening. I believe that the narrator was living through Ms. Tyson due to her seemingly perfect life. Yes it is known that she is a spinster and seemingly has no problems. Seeing the true Ms. Tyson for her true self in the mirror goes to show that when you look hard enough and pay attention the truth will reveal itself.
The one thing in the story that stood out to me was how as the narrator spoke of the reflection in the gilded mirror hanging on the wall. Through the mirror, the narrator spoke of how in the reflection everything looks still, and none timeless. I believe that with reflections, show the truth of everything, which is the lesson that the narrator learns in the end of the story.
The story goes through all that the narrator sees by looking into the mirror and examining the reflections. What I found interesting about this story is that through the reflections the narrator sees Ms. Tyson's lonliness. One comment that I had is that Ms. Tyson, I do not believe that it was intentional on the part of Ms. Tyson to have this fascade. I believe that people see what they want to see and if people were actually interested in knowing you, they would be able to see through all that.
It was not until the end of the story that the narrator and reader finally sees the truth. I believe that when the narrator finds out the truth that Ms. Tyson is human and actually has bills (is normal) it is a little disheartening. I believe that the narrator was living through Ms. Tyson due to her seemingly perfect life. Yes it is known that she is a spinster and seemingly has no problems. Seeing the true Ms. Tyson for her true self in the mirror goes to show that when you look hard enough and pay attention the truth will reveal itself.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
A Prayer for My Daughter
In this autobiographical poem, the reader is introduced to Anne Yeats the duaghter of William Butler Yeats, the author of said poem. The one important factor to remember about this poem is that Anne was born in 1919, the same year in which the poem was written, so this poem is for his daughter.
In the first stanza the reader finds Yeats pacing the floor due to his mind not being settled due to the birth of his daughter. There is a storm outside as well as a storm inside due to the reader's apprenhension of what I can only assume that he does not believe in his skills as a father. The second stanza continues with the sentiment yet it is not until line13, that the speaker reveals that he has gone over in his mind the future of his daughter.
In the third stanza, I feel as if it has a Sleeping Beauty, the fairies gifts to the new born baby. Each fairy gave a gift, one was beauty the other song and before the final gift could be bestowed thats when the evil fairy gifts death. So with Yeats he asks that his daughter be granted beauty, yet there was a stipulation that her beauty. Yeats wanted her to be beautiful yet to have a kind heart and never let her beauty overshadow her heart. Yeats goes into giving examples of how beauty can be a curse, he uses Helen (Helen of Troy) and Aphrodite (goddess of love) to show how with their beauty they found life difficult.
The following stanza has Yeats hoping that Anne has roots as well as many branches. This reminds me of the saying about giving a child roots and wings. This is the hope for all parents for their children. The stanzas that follow the reader find Yeats wanting the best for his daughter. He wants her to have a mind and be able to speak her mind as well as have a self esteem. He wants his daughter to be happy.
The last stanza is the most sentimental in my opinion, Yeats is hoping that his daughter finds a husband that will allow his daughter to thrive as he has done. Yeats like all parents wish for, pray for and hope for a happy child that is happy, thriving and well adjusted.
In the first stanza the reader finds Yeats pacing the floor due to his mind not being settled due to the birth of his daughter. There is a storm outside as well as a storm inside due to the reader's apprenhension of what I can only assume that he does not believe in his skills as a father. The second stanza continues with the sentiment yet it is not until line13, that the speaker reveals that he has gone over in his mind the future of his daughter.
In the third stanza, I feel as if it has a Sleeping Beauty, the fairies gifts to the new born baby. Each fairy gave a gift, one was beauty the other song and before the final gift could be bestowed thats when the evil fairy gifts death. So with Yeats he asks that his daughter be granted beauty, yet there was a stipulation that her beauty. Yeats wanted her to be beautiful yet to have a kind heart and never let her beauty overshadow her heart. Yeats goes into giving examples of how beauty can be a curse, he uses Helen (Helen of Troy) and Aphrodite (goddess of love) to show how with their beauty they found life difficult.
The following stanza has Yeats hoping that Anne has roots as well as many branches. This reminds me of the saying about giving a child roots and wings. This is the hope for all parents for their children. The stanzas that follow the reader find Yeats wanting the best for his daughter. He wants her to have a mind and be able to speak her mind as well as have a self esteem. He wants his daughter to be happy.
The last stanza is the most sentimental in my opinion, Yeats is hoping that his daughter finds a husband that will allow his daughter to thrive as he has done. Yeats like all parents wish for, pray for and hope for a happy child that is happy, thriving and well adjusted.
Who Goes with Fergus?
After reading this poem I was reminded of Beowulf and how he as a king wanted to die a warriors death, which meant in battle. Like Fergus, Beowulf could not rule as he wanted to so he too left his throne for battle. The poem feels like a recruitment speech, asking all those that are able and willing to go "pierce the deep wood's woven shade,/And dance upon the level shore? (ll 2-3). It reminds me also of the Saint Crispian's speech. Also in the first stanza the speaker is telling all those that will be left behind, that they should not cry nor should they fear.
This concept begins the second stanza, but for me the poem seems to show that even though Fergus is no longer a king that sits upon a throne, he is king of feasting, king of the hunt and king of the seas. It is where he belongs. The last line of the poem is the most poetic for me, because in my opinion the speaker believes that when Fergus does die, he will become king of the stars. Like all kings I believe that Fergus wants to be remembered and leave some kind of legacy behind.
This concept begins the second stanza, but for me the poem seems to show that even though Fergus is no longer a king that sits upon a throne, he is king of feasting, king of the hunt and king of the seas. It is where he belongs. The last line of the poem is the most poetic for me, because in my opinion the speaker believes that when Fergus does die, he will become king of the stars. Like all kings I believe that Fergus wants to be remembered and leave some kind of legacy behind.
Pygmalion
I want to be better than the station that I was born into. To advance in station, education has always been key, educating one's self on how those in a higher station would interact, talk and even behave. It is no different now as it was then. This is the premise of Pygmalion.
My initial reaction to Pygmalion, was having seen both movies, Pygmalion and My Fair Lady, but I had never read it until now. I understand that I relate to both Liza and Mr. Higgins for vastly different reasons. For Liza, she is wanting advance into a more respectable station through Mr. Higgins education. Also, for Mr. Higgins, he wanted to prove that his talents are superior and this is something that he wanted to prove to himself.
Since I began college in 2002, I have been studying the English language and I found that like with Liza and Higgins, speaking is the first step in getting a foothold into a higher station. We find that there is a class system when it comes to speaking. The uneducated has a speech all of their own, while those of education have been trained in elocution.
Looking at this play as a whole, it represents a life goal that all have, which is to be better. I find that when Liza signed on to have help from Higgins that she did not understand the demand that would be placed upon herself. Like Liza, many who set forth on the path of improving one's station do not realize that there is a dedication unlike any other.
My initial reaction to Pygmalion, was having seen both movies, Pygmalion and My Fair Lady, but I had never read it until now. I understand that I relate to both Liza and Mr. Higgins for vastly different reasons. For Liza, she is wanting advance into a more respectable station through Mr. Higgins education. Also, for Mr. Higgins, he wanted to prove that his talents are superior and this is something that he wanted to prove to himself.
Since I began college in 2002, I have been studying the English language and I found that like with Liza and Higgins, speaking is the first step in getting a foothold into a higher station. We find that there is a class system when it comes to speaking. The uneducated has a speech all of their own, while those of education have been trained in elocution.
Looking at this play as a whole, it represents a life goal that all have, which is to be better. I find that when Liza signed on to have help from Higgins that she did not understand the demand that would be placed upon herself. Like Liza, many who set forth on the path of improving one's station do not realize that there is a dedication unlike any other.
Spring and Fall
Growing older, remembering ones youth, Spring and Fall by Gerard Manley Hopkins represents aging. The poem starts with a question for Margaret asking if she is grieving. The speaker of the poem in my opinion seems to be letting Margaret know that everything that she is grieving and crying for such as the leaves will come to an end in time. I also think that the speaker is taking a rather jaded point of view. Yes, the speaker is speaking from his/her own experiences, but it is rather one sided to assume that Margaret will have those same experiences as well as grow cold to the changing of the seasons (growing older).
I will agree that there will come a time when Margaret will look back on her life and remember it as seasons, yet I do not believe she will look back with coldness. I believe she will look back on her life with happiness and laughter for her crying about the changing of seasons.
The last line of the poem, "It is Margaret you mourn for," may mean that if Margaret now, is not who she had planned to be then she will truly mourn for not herself, but for the dreams and goals that went unfulfilled. The last line is a universal line, that we all will one day come to realize for ourselves.
I will agree that there will come a time when Margaret will look back on her life and remember it as seasons, yet I do not believe she will look back with coldness. I believe she will look back on her life with happiness and laughter for her crying about the changing of seasons.
The last line of the poem, "It is Margaret you mourn for," may mean that if Margaret now, is not who she had planned to be then she will truly mourn for not herself, but for the dreams and goals that went unfulfilled. The last line is a universal line, that we all will one day come to realize for ourselves.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
John Stuart Mill -Statement Repudiating the Rights of Husbands
This manifesto is a far cry from what society in the 19th century view and value women. It was commonly known that women were viewed and valued like chattle, they were seen as property. Here is John Stuart Mill speaking out against the same societal views by saying, "I absolutely disclaim and repudiate all pretence to have acquired any rights whatever by virtue of such marriage."
I applaud his efforts in making all see the error of counting women as property, by simply saying marriage is a state entered by two sound minded individuals. It is worth nothing that this sentiment is vastly different from those of society. For Mill to voice his opinion in such a way could be viewed as him turning his back on established rights and morals.
After reading this and other of Mill's works, I conclude that he was in his own right a human rights activist. He valued the rights of those that society viewed as being lesser, and he also gave those a voice that had none.
I applaud his efforts in making all see the error of counting women as property, by simply saying marriage is a state entered by two sound minded individuals. It is worth nothing that this sentiment is vastly different from those of society. For Mill to voice his opinion in such a way could be viewed as him turning his back on established rights and morals.
After reading this and other of Mill's works, I conclude that he was in his own right a human rights activist. He valued the rights of those that society viewed as being lesser, and he also gave those a voice that had none.
The Women of England
It is no secret that for centuries, the role of women has been well defined and planned, by those that love to relegate those to a lower standing. However, after reading this "essay" of sorts, I understand that the author is reiterating a long known fact that woman are the backbone to everyman including that of society. The question that is being asked is what kind of education is needed to educate women. I find this article condescending due to its consideration of women.
To have a woman be defined by her husband's ability is rather shortminded. It states in the passage that, "was woman great, because she had great acquirments; nor can she be great in herself-personally, and with instrumentality-as an object not an agent." In other words, woman has no power all her own, and whatever was accomplished was due to powers not her own. I am reminded of how, Jane Austen works are considered to be books on societal manners.
All in all, this esaay was basically about the usefulness of women. Being a man of the 21st century, I see how woman shape society, yet looking back on the victorian age, I see that society had different views, no matter how one sided they were. This entire work relegates women to either having money,and or beauty and if they have none; they should rely on their conversation. It would be a great question to ask how women saw themselves.
To have a woman be defined by her husband's ability is rather shortminded. It states in the passage that, "was woman great, because she had great acquirments; nor can she be great in herself-personally, and with instrumentality-as an object not an agent." In other words, woman has no power all her own, and whatever was accomplished was due to powers not her own. I am reminded of how, Jane Austen works are considered to be books on societal manners.
All in all, this esaay was basically about the usefulness of women. Being a man of the 21st century, I see how woman shape society, yet looking back on the victorian age, I see that society had different views, no matter how one sided they were. This entire work relegates women to either having money,and or beauty and if they have none; they should rely on their conversation. It would be a great question to ask how women saw themselves.
EBB's "Sonnet 43"
This seems to me the sonnet that all sonnets aspire to. Sonnet 43, is the sonnet that when any person sits down to write a love poem, this is their model, myself included. In the sonnet, the speaker is telling his/her love, that there are no limits to his/her love.
The sonnet uses repetition to drive home love and how and why he/she loves. For me, one of my favorite lines in the sonnet are "I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;/I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise." These two lines express every sentiment that love has endured since time began. In the first line the speaker is simply saying that as man is continuing it's uphill battle for "Right" that his/her love will never waver. Their love is steadfast. Also with that line, the speaker knows that man will always strive for right, which also tells the reader that his/her love is never ending.
In the following line, the speaker tells the reader that his/her love will still be there when they turn away from Praise. Not to belittle the sentiment of this line, but it's a matter of standing by the person through good and bad. Again, it love that stands the test of time, as well when he or she is in favor or out.
I believe that the speaker of this poem is expressing a love that fairytales and love songs are based upon. This sonnet is about understanding that when one loves, it should be with every fiber of their being and it should be done without limitations. As the speaker states in the last lines of the poem, "and, if God choose,/ I shall but love thee better after death."
The sonnet uses repetition to drive home love and how and why he/she loves. For me, one of my favorite lines in the sonnet are "I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;/I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise." These two lines express every sentiment that love has endured since time began. In the first line the speaker is simply saying that as man is continuing it's uphill battle for "Right" that his/her love will never waver. Their love is steadfast. Also with that line, the speaker knows that man will always strive for right, which also tells the reader that his/her love is never ending.
In the following line, the speaker tells the reader that his/her love will still be there when they turn away from Praise. Not to belittle the sentiment of this line, but it's a matter of standing by the person through good and bad. Again, it love that stands the test of time, as well when he or she is in favor or out.
I believe that the speaker of this poem is expressing a love that fairytales and love songs are based upon. This sonnet is about understanding that when one loves, it should be with every fiber of their being and it should be done without limitations. As the speaker states in the last lines of the poem, "and, if God choose,/ I shall but love thee better after death."
EBB "Sonnet 28"
Elizabet Barret Browning's Sonnet 28, in my opinion is about her affair with writing. She is using the paper to represent how with this affair/relationship there is a mutual understanding. In lines, 6 through 9 the speaker states:
Once, as a friend: this fixed a day in spring
To come and touch my hand...a simple thing,
Yet I wept for it! - this,...the paper's light...
Said, Dear, I love thee; and I sank and quailed
These lines express the intense relationship between the speaker and the paper. In my opinion it is a very co-dependent relationship; as it should be given that the speaker is a writer. Line six seems to show when love was realized. It shows that this love was gradual and not spontaneous. It's fascinating to see that finding and realizing one's true passion in many ways is like a relationship. One must love wholeheartedly and understand that the relationship though it may get rough but the end product is worth it. It also shows that one must love what they do, otherwise it becomes a chore. The last lines solitifies this. The speaker wanted this relationship and when the speaker understood that the object of affection wanted the same, then everything feel into place.
The speaker of this poem, also speaks with a voice of disbelief. The reason why I say disbelief is that the speaker is gratful that the paper chose him/her. This poem in many ways is the story of a relationship and how it began and how even in life, one moment this person is a friend and then next a new relationship has occurred.
Lastly, this poem is to me a simple and straight forward poem, about love and its origins. From the first line, we have the speaker getting ready to write and how he seens this paper almost "quivering" to be used. I love EBB's word choice because words like quivering, wept etc leads the speaker to get a better mental picture and it also gives the poem a flow that words like shaking or crying could not.'
Once, as a friend: this fixed a day in spring
To come and touch my hand...a simple thing,
Yet I wept for it! - this,...the paper's light...
Said, Dear, I love thee; and I sank and quailed
These lines express the intense relationship between the speaker and the paper. In my opinion it is a very co-dependent relationship; as it should be given that the speaker is a writer. Line six seems to show when love was realized. It shows that this love was gradual and not spontaneous. It's fascinating to see that finding and realizing one's true passion in many ways is like a relationship. One must love wholeheartedly and understand that the relationship though it may get rough but the end product is worth it. It also shows that one must love what they do, otherwise it becomes a chore. The last lines solitifies this. The speaker wanted this relationship and when the speaker understood that the object of affection wanted the same, then everything feel into place.
The speaker of this poem, also speaks with a voice of disbelief. The reason why I say disbelief is that the speaker is gratful that the paper chose him/her. This poem in many ways is the story of a relationship and how it began and how even in life, one moment this person is a friend and then next a new relationship has occurred.
Lastly, this poem is to me a simple and straight forward poem, about love and its origins. From the first line, we have the speaker getting ready to write and how he seens this paper almost "quivering" to be used. I love EBB's word choice because words like quivering, wept etc leads the speaker to get a better mental picture and it also gives the poem a flow that words like shaking or crying could not.'
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
She walks in beauty
An ode to a beautiful woman that is unknowing of such admiration. In the beginning of the poem, the speaker is comparing the beauty of the nameless woman to the night by saying, "She walks in beauty, like the night." This line to be implies that with stars being visible, the glow from the moon, she is a sight to behold just like the night sky. In the following lines, the speaker states, "And all that's best of dark and bright/ Meet in her aspect and her eyes." It is a safe assumption to make that given the beauty of both night and day, their best attributes are possessed by this woman. The first stanza reminds me of how in movies, when a beautiful woman walks into a room, they are walking in slow motion with wind blowing through their hair. I feel as if this was such a case with the speaker.
The speaker in this ode continues to describe the beauty of his mysterious beauty. Yet for me, its all about generalizations, especially in the final stanza. The speaker begins speaking of her eloquency, her goodness, and even her innocense all qualities that cannot be determined just from watching. The last stanza for the speaker is all of the qualities that is supposedly attributed to being beautiful. In line 17 of the poem, "A mind at peace with all below." For me that lines actually refers to her as a goddess. I believe that the speaker is giving her godly characteristics, because there is no other explanation of her being as beautiful as she is.
With this poem, it is a very beautifully written poem that expresses a thought of seeing beauty in its puriest form. While reading this poem, I thought about how I would have reacted to seeing such beauty, or even if I have ever seen beauty to that extend. What I came up with is that, besides the beauty of children and scenes from nature, nothing as stirred me to core like that of the speaker.
The speaker in this ode continues to describe the beauty of his mysterious beauty. Yet for me, its all about generalizations, especially in the final stanza. The speaker begins speaking of her eloquency, her goodness, and even her innocense all qualities that cannot be determined just from watching. The last stanza for the speaker is all of the qualities that is supposedly attributed to being beautiful. In line 17 of the poem, "A mind at peace with all below." For me that lines actually refers to her as a goddess. I believe that the speaker is giving her godly characteristics, because there is no other explanation of her being as beautiful as she is.
With this poem, it is a very beautifully written poem that expresses a thought of seeing beauty in its puriest form. While reading this poem, I thought about how I would have reacted to seeing such beauty, or even if I have ever seen beauty to that extend. What I came up with is that, besides the beauty of children and scenes from nature, nothing as stirred me to core like that of the speaker.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Lady of Shalott
One of my favorite poems ever written, "The Lady of Shalott" is a poem that has excellent imagery and is written with some of the most affective word choice. Tennyson sets the scene with the reader understanding that Camelot is near. With Camelot as a setting the reader calls upon their already known information about Camelot, King Arthur and magic. So when the reader learns that she is in the tower is is not a surprise.
In part 2 of "The Lady of Shalott" the reader learns of the curse that has been placed on her. The curse states that she can not look to Camelot. This section of the poem reminds me of what many parents do their children by forbiding them to experience life. They hold on so tight that the child rebells and really do not understand that with life comes certain consequences for certain actions until it is too late. We, the reader, finds learns that she, Lady of Shalott, has grown tired of being in the tower not being able to experience life like those that she sees in her mirror.
Part 3, comes another reason of why she chooses to look to Camelot. She sees Sir Lancelot in all of his knightly glory. She basically falls in love instantly. Before her decision was made, she paced the room and with courage she looks to Camelot and the curse fell upon her. At this point I am left wondering why such a curse had been cast upon her? Was it by her doing?
In the final part, we find that she is decending from the tower and before the spell has takes her, she wants to experience life outside just once. While in the boat the towns' people hear her sing before she dies.
Reading this poem, I am left with a feeling of a life not lived. Why would such a curse befall her? Maybe Lancelot answered it best with his line "She has a lovely face;/ God in his mercy lend her grace,/ The Lady of Shalott." Could it be that he beauty was her curse?
In part 2 of "The Lady of Shalott" the reader learns of the curse that has been placed on her. The curse states that she can not look to Camelot. This section of the poem reminds me of what many parents do their children by forbiding them to experience life. They hold on so tight that the child rebells and really do not understand that with life comes certain consequences for certain actions until it is too late. We, the reader, finds learns that she, Lady of Shalott, has grown tired of being in the tower not being able to experience life like those that she sees in her mirror.
Part 3, comes another reason of why she chooses to look to Camelot. She sees Sir Lancelot in all of his knightly glory. She basically falls in love instantly. Before her decision was made, she paced the room and with courage she looks to Camelot and the curse fell upon her. At this point I am left wondering why such a curse had been cast upon her? Was it by her doing?
In the final part, we find that she is decending from the tower and before the spell has takes her, she wants to experience life outside just once. While in the boat the towns' people hear her sing before she dies.
Reading this poem, I am left with a feeling of a life not lived. Why would such a curse befall her? Maybe Lancelot answered it best with his line "She has a lovely face;/ God in his mercy lend her grace,/ The Lady of Shalott." Could it be that he beauty was her curse?
Ode to a Nightingale
In John Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale" we find the reader suffering from insomnia and listening to the a nightingale sing her song. What I like about this poem, is that its an "ode" which means it is a poem of admiration. Odes in my opinion are the types of poems that are easiest to express love. Also with this poem Keats also expresses a thought process of retrospect as well as one of a man being able to understand his own mortality.
The speaker states in line 26 "Where youth grows pale, and spectre-thin, and dies." To me this line is significant to the speaker listening to the nightingale, because of the immortality of the song inwhich the nightingale sings. The speaker understands in the entire third stanza, that everthing fades with time, such as beauty, and youth. It is amazing to me that the speakers mind at this late hour of the night turns to his mortality due in part of a song. The nightingale song, that has been heard by emperors and clowns.
In my reading of this poem, I found that it was not just a ode (love poem) to the nightingale, but a thank you to the nightingale and it's song. The speaker is thanking the nightingale for finding him worthy to hear his timeless song. Again a song that has been heard by more important and signifcant ears than his. In the last line of the poem the speaker says, "Fled is that music:-Do I wake or sleep?" He is wondering if it all was a dream or just luck on his part. I believe that it was fate that destined him to be chosen to hear the nightingale sing.
The speaker states in line 26 "Where youth grows pale, and spectre-thin, and dies." To me this line is significant to the speaker listening to the nightingale, because of the immortality of the song inwhich the nightingale sings. The speaker understands in the entire third stanza, that everthing fades with time, such as beauty, and youth. It is amazing to me that the speakers mind at this late hour of the night turns to his mortality due in part of a song. The nightingale song, that has been heard by emperors and clowns.
In my reading of this poem, I found that it was not just a ode (love poem) to the nightingale, but a thank you to the nightingale and it's song. The speaker is thanking the nightingale for finding him worthy to hear his timeless song. Again a song that has been heard by more important and signifcant ears than his. In the last line of the poem the speaker says, "Fled is that music:-Do I wake or sleep?" He is wondering if it all was a dream or just luck on his part. I believe that it was fate that destined him to be chosen to hear the nightingale sing.
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