"...I think he wants to go,/ a little bit- a new desire/ to travel."
This poem had an interesting take on death. The speaker and her father had two different views on the issue. She did not want her father to die. He was ready. He had a totally different idea about death. He was an optimist in his view of death. He saw the positives of death and the goodness that can come out of it. He even thought of death as a trip. The comparison to a trip further reveals his carefree attitude about death because going on a trip is a regular occurance. No matter how the father feels and explains the idea of death, the daughter does not want her father to die. I do not view the speaker as a pessimist though. She never really speaks negatively about death and the terrible things associated with it. She merely just does not want her father to die. She cannot be convinced that it will be a good thing for her father to die.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Edward- Anonymous
"Why does your sword so drip with blood,/ Edward, Edward.../ O I have killed by hawk so good,/ Mother, Mother." PAGE 977-978
I found this poem to be rather interesting. In some ways, it reminded me of the poem about APO 96225 and the boy's description of war. In "Edward," the mother keeps asking the son, Edward, what he has done. Like the boy in APO 96225, Edward responds but not fully. He begins with things that are less grave. He starts with the killing of his hawk and steed, but his mother is persistent in asking what he did. When he says that he killed his mother, I noticed a shift in the pattern. Rather than asking about past events, Mother asks about future events. I was rather disturbed when Edward said that he killed his father like it was not big deal. He knew he would have to do penance, but he did not seem concerned. He also did not show very much love for his wife, children, and mother because he said that they would figure out what to do without him when he left. I think he killed his father on purpose so that he could get away from the responsibilities of his family. He knew that he would have a good excuse to leave if he killed his father. His act was definitely a little sketchy.
I found this poem to be rather interesting. In some ways, it reminded me of the poem about APO 96225 and the boy's description of war. In "Edward," the mother keeps asking the son, Edward, what he has done. Like the boy in APO 96225, Edward responds but not fully. He begins with things that are less grave. He starts with the killing of his hawk and steed, but his mother is persistent in asking what he did. When he says that he killed his mother, I noticed a shift in the pattern. Rather than asking about past events, Mother asks about future events. I was rather disturbed when Edward said that he killed his father like it was not big deal. He knew he would have to do penance, but he did not seem concerned. He also did not show very much love for his wife, children, and mother because he said that they would figure out what to do without him when he left. I think he killed his father on purpose so that he could get away from the responsibilities of his family. He knew that he would have a good excuse to leave if he killed his father. His act was definitely a little sketchy.
Death, be not proud- John Donne (personification)
"Death, be not proud, though some have called thee/ Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so." PAGE 971
This poem personifies death. The speaker is speaking to death. He is trying to degrade death and its power to convince himself that death should not be feared. His argument would not be as strong without the personification because the personification makes it like he is actually talking to someone. The argument would lose strength if he was just giving himself reasons why death is not so bad. He is able to support his point stronger with personification. The speaker tells death that it should not be so proud and sure of itself because it is not all that. He points out that death is a slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men and that people sleep just as well with charms or poppy. He also refers to life after death and how that is better than life on earth so death is not that intimidating because people are going to be happier. The personification of death helps the speaker convince himself that death is not so bad even though the reader can tell in his argument that he is unsure.
This poem personifies death. The speaker is speaking to death. He is trying to degrade death and its power to convince himself that death should not be feared. His argument would not be as strong without the personification because the personification makes it like he is actually talking to someone. The argument would lose strength if he was just giving himself reasons why death is not so bad. He is able to support his point stronger with personification. The speaker tells death that it should not be so proud and sure of itself because it is not all that. He points out that death is a slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men and that people sleep just as well with charms or poppy. He also refers to life after death and how that is better than life on earth so death is not that intimidating because people are going to be happier. The personification of death helps the speaker convince himself that death is not so bad even though the reader can tell in his argument that he is unsure.
Delight in Disorder- Robert Herrick (oxymoron)
"A careless shoestring, in whose tie/ I see a wild civility."
This poem contains an oxymoron. The oxymoron is the phrase "wild civility." Wild and civil seem to contradict themselves, but in this case they display the theme of the poem. The whole poem is about the parts of the woman's garb that are not exactly perfect. The speaker describes each piece of clothing or accessory that is out of place. The second to last line makes me think that the speaker might actually be talking about abstract art, not actually an outfit. I think he prefers abstract art over precise lines and shapes in other art forms. The oxymoron appears near the end where it emphasizes that clean and tidy is not always the best. The speaker reveals that he prefers things that are not visually perfect. He likes things that are more realistic. The oxymoron is reflective of the whole poem as the different things out of place are described in a pleasant way.
This poem contains an oxymoron. The oxymoron is the phrase "wild civility." Wild and civil seem to contradict themselves, but in this case they display the theme of the poem. The whole poem is about the parts of the woman's garb that are not exactly perfect. The speaker describes each piece of clothing or accessory that is out of place. The second to last line makes me think that the speaker might actually be talking about abstract art, not actually an outfit. I think he prefers abstract art over precise lines and shapes in other art forms. The oxymoron appears near the end where it emphasizes that clean and tidy is not always the best. The speaker reveals that he prefers things that are not visually perfect. He likes things that are more realistic. The oxymoron is reflective of the whole poem as the different things out of place are described in a pleasant way.
Lonely Hearts- Wendy Cope (rhetorical question)
"Do you live in North London? Is it you?" PAGE 973-972
This poem uses rhetorical questions to conclude each stanza. The rhetorical questions are part of the adds placed in a newspaper. People are looking for other people. The questions are used to effectively show that the people are looking for a certain someone. They are asking the reader of the adds if he or she could be the one. This poem portrays the different kinds of relationships people are looking for. It shows that not everyone wants to be involved in the same kind of relationship. The different people are looking for a specific kind of person they think will complete their life. The types of people requested vary just as the people who wrote them. The different people range from a biker woman, a gay, a bisexual woman who is arty and young, a successful and straight Jewish man, and a slim non-smoker under 21.
This poem uses rhetorical questions to conclude each stanza. The rhetorical questions are part of the adds placed in a newspaper. People are looking for other people. The questions are used to effectively show that the people are looking for a certain someone. They are asking the reader of the adds if he or she could be the one. This poem portrays the different kinds of relationships people are looking for. It shows that not everyone wants to be involved in the same kind of relationship. The different people are looking for a specific kind of person they think will complete their life. The types of people requested vary just as the people who wrote them. The different people range from a biker woman, a gay, a bisexual woman who is arty and young, a successful and straight Jewish man, and a slim non-smoker under 21.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
The Apparition- John Donne
"When by thy scorn, O murderess, I am dead,/ And that thou thinkst thee free."
I have alot of ideas about this poem but am uncertain in the accuracy of them. This first line of the poem makes me think that someone is escaping something. I also think that the person really is not. I think that someone has been murdered and that the ghost is coming back to haunt the guilty party. It could also be figuratively speaking about the death of an idea. Also, a family or friend of the decesed could be trying to get back at the offender. The majority of the poem seemed to be a plan. It seemed like the speaker was planning on how he was going to attack. The tone was also of warning. He was telling his victim what not to do and what to look out for. I also noticed that the speaker used educated diction. Other than these, I have no ideas. I do not know if any of my ideas are right, but I think I have a start.
I have alot of ideas about this poem but am uncertain in the accuracy of them. This first line of the poem makes me think that someone is escaping something. I also think that the person really is not. I think that someone has been murdered and that the ghost is coming back to haunt the guilty party. It could also be figuratively speaking about the death of an idea. Also, a family or friend of the decesed could be trying to get back at the offender. The majority of the poem seemed to be a plan. It seemed like the speaker was planning on how he was going to attack. The tone was also of warning. He was telling his victim what not to do and what to look out for. I also noticed that the speaker used educated diction. Other than these, I have no ideas. I do not know if any of my ideas are right, but I think I have a start.
My mistress' eyes- William Shakespeare
"My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun" PAGE 885
This poem was relatively easy to follow. The first twelve lines were describing the mistress. The descriptions however, differed from those mostly found in poems. Rather than providing comparisons that are unrealistic and exaggerated, the speaker provides realistic descriptions. The descriptions are also not very direct. The speaker uses indirect references to what the mistress is not. Not only are they indirect, but they somewhat mock the typical comparisons of other poets. The speaker knows that his mistress is not perfect. He recognizes her flaws but loves her anyway. I liked how this poem negated normal comparisons of women. I think it was very bold of the speaker to say that his mistress was not all of those things, but I also think it says something about his personality. It shows that he is accepting and knows that people are not perfect.
This poem was relatively easy to follow. The first twelve lines were describing the mistress. The descriptions however, differed from those mostly found in poems. Rather than providing comparisons that are unrealistic and exaggerated, the speaker provides realistic descriptions. The descriptions are also not very direct. The speaker uses indirect references to what the mistress is not. Not only are they indirect, but they somewhat mock the typical comparisons of other poets. The speaker knows that his mistress is not perfect. He recognizes her flaws but loves her anyway. I liked how this poem negated normal comparisons of women. I think it was very bold of the speaker to say that his mistress was not all of those things, but I also think it says something about his personality. It shows that he is accepting and knows that people are not perfect.
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