A poem in which is there is a powerful evocation of place is Childhood by Edwin Muir. The child who is being describes and the setting is unknown in the play but it is most probably Edwin Muir himself as a child describing a significant event in his childhood, and the setting is most likely his home town in Orkney. This specific place explores the theme of childhood. The techniques he uses to effectively express this theme of childhood are word choice, repetition and personification. The reader gains a powerful evocation of place through reading the poem.
The first stanza is a detailed description of the setting, a wide landscape with a view from the hills, on a sunny peaceful day. The poet uses sibilance to keep the reader’s pace slow: “Far of the silent, changing sound was still” The repetition of the S sound called sibilance causes the reader to linger as they read each word, it causes the reader to linger on the image as the S sound is slowing the reader’s pace, this gives the evocation of an island which is safe and peaceful and there is protection, he is close to his father’s house, this gives the idea that the person being described is a child, no worries and an essence of timelessness and security.
The next stanza concentrates on the child’s vivid description of the islands and the coast by the island:
“He saw each separate height, each vaguer hue,
Where the massed islands rolled in mist away,”
The repetition of “each” stresses the way each hill stands individually but the total effect of the islands together form a protective barrier to the child from the outside world, it emphasises the quantity and uniformity of the surrounding islands and at the same time the conformity and individuality of the islands. The phrase ...
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...” The mentioning of both parents encloses the whole poem, the poem is concerned with the child, as if they are embracing him which gives him a sense of unity, which echoes with the unity and harmony of the landscape, at the same the same time the conformity, the mother, father and child and the “massed islands”. It shows that the child has a secure childhood with two parents and a secure home. It powerfully and effectively evokes childhood and peace.
The use of many techniques such as sibilance, personification, repetition and simile all contribute to the vivid description of the serene and peaceful islands the house sits on. This poem powerfully evoked in me the theme of a happy childhood filled with security, peace and serenity. The mentioning of mother and father further enhance the feeling of childhood where you are protected by your parents and by your elders.
In the first stanza, a general location of “here” and “there” is established for the reader (Trethewey, 1). To determine the meaning of these places, one must analyze the poem in reverse chronological order. When considering those destinations under the context of the whole poem, it is clear that the “there” is Ship Island (Trethewey, 1). However, the hidden implication is that Ship Island is an allegory for the collision of innocence and maturity. Ship Island was first used as a military base during the War of 1812 and evolved into a family friendly beach destination over the years. This island stood as a barrier to the main land during Hurricane Katrina and endured the first wave of damage during the storm. Ship Island has since recovered and continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination. Throughout its history, Ship Island has rotated back and forth between being a place that embodies maturity and hardship to a place and one that is consumed with the frivolous cares of a beach trip. Ironically, Ship Island is often considered as a peaceful rest in the midst the world’s trials; however, it is simultaneously associated with tragic memories for many throughout Gulfport. Therefore, based on the historical context, it is evident that Ship Island is an allegory the apex of maturity and innocence
This poem includes quotes with informal language that children or teens would better understand. It’s narrative-based style is easy to follow, and although the poem covers very basic concepts, it’s message is still communicated subliminally. This particular poem is interesting because it focusses on the universal experience of pain and it’s relation to time. Similar to this is “The Householder”, written in a cyclical style, opening with a “house” and ending with a “home”. With only three stanzas, it is
Lee was able to depict such an arduous relationship between a father and son… a relationship that Lee says shall one day fail, but for now, it is pure and full of emotion. The love the father has for the child, for wanting to keep him by his side is one of true compassion. The complexity between the child being so delighted and displaying such admiration, of wanting his father to read him another bedtime story; to one of which, is screaming at his father for wanting to keep him as a child. This sort of relationship was able to be composed by the use of imagery between the father ageing and the scratching of his ear; to the use of the poems structure layout and point of view all played massive roles in the understanding and perception of this literary art work. Thus, the relationship between the father and son is one of compassion and affection; which, cannot be told using simple minded tactics such as logic and
When the poem is read aloud, the explicit rhyme and rhythm of the lines becomes extremely obvious. In fact, the bouncy rhythm is so uplifting, it occasionally makes the audiences feel like it is too predictable and straight-forward. An example would be “bright with chrysolite”, the word “chrysolite” feels like it is forcefully implemented for the sake of the rhyme. This is somewhat similar to a children’s tale. Most children’s tale as we know it, conveys messages straightforwardly and are easily understood by children, it also has an amiable tone and a merry mood that engages the children 's attention. Similarly, the rhyme and rhythm of this poem is very obvious and explicit, creating a delightful, casual mood that appeals to a young audience. Even though the legend dealt with deep insights about parenting that are intricate and puzzling, the father delivered it in such a gratifying, simple manner that made even the most dark and dreadful matters: like the description of precarious beasts and vicious monsters to sound like a blissful adventure of friendly animals. The sole purpose of this contradiction between the tone and message is to make this seemingly strong and serious topic more tolerable and captivating to the son of the father. Unsensible, impulsive youth is very similar to restless children, a long insipid lecture about deep insights is very difficult for them to buy into. In the same time, a harsh, threatening warning will only make them obey unwillingly, and creating a doubtful relationship will make them uncomfortable to communicate or appeal to their parents. Clearly, the percipient father recognized the ineffectiveness of these unsuitable parenting methods. Instead, he conveyed the message in a uncomplicated, friendly way that made his son to accept his teachings more comfortably. A
The fact that they feel they can sit about the knee of their mother, in this stereotypical image of a happy family doesn’t suggest that the children in this poem are oppressed... ... middle of paper ... ... y has a negative view of the childish desire for play which clearly has an effect on the children. The fact that they the are whispering shows that they are afraid of the nurse, and that they cannot express their true thoughts and desires freely, which is why they whisper, and therefore shows that Blake feels that children are oppressed. I feel that the two poems from innocence which are ‘The Echoing Green,’ and ‘The Nurses Song,’ display Blake’s ideological view of country life which I referred to in my introduction, and show his desire for childhood to be enjoyed.
At the beginning of the poem, the speaker starts by telling the reader the place, time and activity he is doing, stating that he saw something that he will always remember. His description of his view is explained through simile for example “Ripe apples were caught like red fish in the nets of their branches” (Updike), captivating the reader’s attention
The verse novel, ‘The Simple Gift’ explores how relationships and place can impact detrimentally on one’s identity and sense of belonging. Herrick uses Billy to highlight how social issues such as dysfunctional families can lead to isolation and loneliness. Using first person narrative, “I”, Herrick in the poem 'Sport' establishes the barriers to belonging. Herrick uses flashback and hyperbole “he came thundering out” to highlight detachment from home prompted by Billy’s abusive alcoholic father. Detailed repetition of “I was ten years old” intensifies the poignant loss of Billy’s innocence and his displacement from a childhood sanctuary. Consequently the poem ‘Longlands Road’, uses personified enjambment, “rocks that bounce and clatter and roll and protest”, to capture the image of an angry boy who is searching for a sense of belonging. Imagery created through vivid descriptive language, “rundown and beat / the grass unmown around the doors”, depicts the impoverishment and disrepair of “Nowheresville”. While Billy’s description of “Mrs Johnston’s mailbox on the ground...” expresses his contempt and frustration. Subsequently, the ramifications of Billy’s discontent, portrayed by the sarcastic statement “It’s the only time my school has come in ...
In the poems “The Wanderer”, “The Wife’s Lament”, and “Cuchilainn's Boyhood Deeds” there are journeys that each of the characters go through in the poems. In The Wanderer and “The Wife's Lament” the characters are dealing with the lose of a what they called life. In “Cuchilainn's Boyhood Deeds” the young man in the poem is seeking glory and honor. The poem dapple in both a physical journey and a mental or emotional dilemma. In “The Wanderer” the warrior is sent off in exile and he dreams of finding a new lord and a new hall to become apart of. In “The Wifes Lament”, the wife is also living in exile because he husband family has separated them; she images a life where she isnt so lonely anymore. “Cuchulainn's Boyhood Deeds” is about a boy who imagines himself doing heroic deed to gain favor, honor, and to become a legend. Each of the characters has a physical journey that are in the mist of, but while in the middle of those trial they are also faced with emotional pain and longing for a better life.
The speaker begins the poem an ethereal tone masking the violent nature of her subject matter. The poem is set in the Elysian Fields, a paradise where the souls of the heroic and virtuous were sent (cite). Through her use of the words “dreamed”, “sweet women”, “blossoms” and
The author uses imagery, contrasting diction, tones, and symbols in the poem to show two very different sides of the parent-child relationship. The poem’s theme is that even though parents and teenagers may have their disagreements, there is still an underlying love that binds the family together and helps them bridge their gap that is between them.
Although this section is the easiest to read, it sets up the action and requires the most "reading between the lines" to follow along with the quick and meaningful happenings. Millay begins her poem by describing, in first person, the limitations of her world as a child. She links herself to these nature images and wonders about what the world is like beyond the islands and mountains. The initial language and writing style hint at a child-like theme used in this section. This device invites the reader to sit back and enjoy the poem without the pressure to understand complex words and structure.
There is also a sense of acuteness as the words in this stanza are short and sharp, and the lines clash and seem to contrast greatly. " Whispering by the shore" shows that water is a symbol of continuity as it occurs in a natural cycle, but the whispering could also be the sound of the sea as it travels up the shore. The end of this section makes me feel as if he is trying to preserve something with the "river mud" and "glazing the baked clay floor. " The fourth section, which includes four stanzas of three lines, whereas the third section included four-line stanzas and the second section included two-line stanzas, shows continuity once again, as if it's portraying the water's movement. "Moyola" is once again repeated, and "music" is also present, with "its own score and consort" being musical terms and giving the effect of harmony.
The speaker sees this scenery in his mind. As a reader, I can even imagine him standing in a dark room looking at a woman singing and imagining his old days with his mother. Using the picturesque words such as “softly,” “dusk...
The consistent pattern of metrical stresses in this stanza, along with the orderly rhyme scheme, and standard verse structure, reflect the mood of serenity, of humankind in harmony with Nature. It is a fine, hot day, `clear as fire', when the speaker comes to drink at the creek. Birdsong punctuates the still air, like the tinkling of broken glass. However, the term `frail' also suggests vulnerability in the presence of danger, and there are other intimations in this stanza of the drama that is about to unfold. Slithery sibilants, as in the words `glass', `grass' and `moss', hint at the existence of a Serpent in the Garden of Eden. As in a Greek tragedy, the intensity of expression in the poem invokes a proleptic tenseness, as yet unexplained.
At its fundamental level, adulthood is simply the end of childhood, and the two stages are, by all accounts, drastically different. In the major works of poetry by William Blake and William Wordsworth, the dynamic between these two phases of life is analyzed and articulated. In both Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience and many of Wordsworth’s works, childhood is portrayed as a superior state of mental capacity and freedom. The two poets echo one another in asserting that the individual’s progression into adulthood diminishes this childhood voice. In essence, both poets demonstrate an adoration for the vision possessed by a child, and an aversion to the mental state of adulthood. Although both Blake and Wordsworth show childhood as a state of greater innocence and spiritual vision, their view of its relationship with adulthood differs - Blake believes that childhood is crushed by adulthood, whereas Wordsworth sees childhood living on within the adult.