The Journey from Tragedy to Triumph
Have you ever wondered why so many people always choose to root for the underdog in a dramatic movie; or why so many people say, “What does not kill you only makes you stronger” when you are going through a rough patch in life? Well the answer to these ponderings is based in the thought that one can only achieve a triumph or victory when faced with struggles that make him/her sacrifice something important. The poem “Dream of the Rood” vividly exhibits a theme of triumph emerging as a result of tragedy; however, the query remains as to the elicitations of these remarkable occurrences. Ultimately, the transformation from tragedy to triumph requires a sacrifice on the part of the “defeated.” This poem perfectly demonstrates a parallel between the suffering and transformation of Christ and the suffering and glorification of the Rood. Humankind is faced with the same sacrificial choices if heaven is desired for eternal salvation. The poem “Dream of the Rood” exemplifies the features of sacrifice as seen by the Rood, Christ, the Dreamer and humanity. The sacrifices made by each are manifested in a different manner; however this does not affect the significance of any.
The poem “Dream of the Rood,” in literal terms is a portrayal of the crucifixion of Christ as seen through the eyes of the Rood or cross. The Dreamer is best described as a storyteller. He explains the journey that the Rood goes though as it becomes the glorious cross which is still worshiped the world round. The poem illustrates the crucifixion as a battle where both the Rood and Christ triumph over the evil influences that shrouds the necessary wicked event. The Dreamer goes on to explain the fact that “each soul must seek / the king...
... middle of paper ...
...ure." Ed. David Johnson and Elaine Treharne. NY: Oxford University Press, 2005. 15-29.
Scott, Edurne. “The Dream of the Rood.” Poetry @ Suite 101. Edurne Scott, 07 Apr 2008. Web.
24 Jul 2011. .
"The Dream of the Rood - Introduction." Classical and Medieval Literature Criticism. Ed. Jelena Krstović. Vol. 14. Gale Cengage, 1995. eNotes.com. 2006. 3 Aug, 2011
The Dream of the Rood. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Vol. I. 8th ed. NY: W.W.
Norton & Co., 2006. 27-29.
The Holy Bible New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003. Print.
“Translation and Original Poem.” The Dream of the Rood: An Electronic Edition.
Mary Rambaran-Olm, 09 Mar 2006. Web. 27 Jul 2011.
.
Watching a film, one can easily recognize plot, theme, characterization, etc., but not many realize what basic principle lies behind nearly every story conceived: the hero’s journey. This concept allows for a comprehensive, logical flow throughout a movie. Once the hero’s journey is thoroughly understood, anyone can pick out the elements in nearly every piece. The hero’s journey follows a simple outline. First the hero in question must have a disadvantaged childhood. Next the hero will find a mentor who wisely lays out his/her prophecy. Third the hero will go on a journey, either literal or figurative, to find him/herself. On this journey the hero will be discouraged and nearly quit his/her quest. Finally, the hero will fulfill the prophecy and find his/herself, realizing his/her full potential. This rubric may be easy to spot in epic action films, but if upon close inspection is found in a wide array of genres, some of which are fully surprising.
A hero’s journey is an important aspect of any movie. Sports films give a good indication of how the hero’s journey is trying to be portrayed. In the movie “The Rookie” is a 2002 film starring Dennis Quaid as Jim Morris who is a small town teacher finds himself playing baseball for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays farm system after an open tryout. Directors go through the journey closely isolate each particular aspect giving clear indication from one transition to the next.
Jokinen, Anniina. "Luminarium: Anthology of English Literature." Luminarium: Anthology of English Literature. N.p., 1996. Web. 9 Nov. 2013. http://www.luminarium.org/
... this image O’Connor graphically conveys the suffering of Christ incarnate in humanity, and expresses her belief that convergence with Christ means union with Christ’s suffering, not escape from suffering into some abstract realm of spiritual bliss…emphasizing that the rising in consciousness that precedes true convergence is expressed not through external power or dominance over others but, paradoxically, in a descent into vulnerability, into suffering, into weakness, into man’s essential poverty (CLC p 159).” It is in this last scene that the reader becomes sympathetic with Obadiah Elihue, having been driven out of the house by his harridan wife, “leaning against the tree, crying like a baby.”
Abrams, M. H. et al. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Vol. 1. Sixth Edition. New York: W.W. Norton, & Co. 1993. 200-254.
De France, Marie. Lanval The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Middle Ages. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. New York: New York, 2006.
That’s the good news! This poem also encourages us to share that good news with others, so they might also be saved. In the poem both Jesus Christ and the rood are obedient, brave, humble, and made glorious. This reflects goodness in both of their actions. The rood said, “Then this young man stripped himself –that was God Almighty− / strong and courageous; he climbed up on the high gallows, / brave in the sight of many, as he set out to redeem mankind” (38-41). This illustrates Jesus being courageous, humble, and obedient in accomplishing what His Father had sent Him there to do. Also, it shows Jesus’ love for mankind, which is good. The rood continued, “I trembled when the man embraced me; I dared not bow down to earth, / stoop to the surface of the ground, but I had to stand fast” (42-43). This illustrates the roods courage and obedience, rather reverence for what role he played in the course of these
As the first poem in the book it sums up the primary focus of the works in its exploration of loss, grieving, and recovery. The questions posed about the nature of God become recurring themes in the following sections, especially One and Four. The symbolism includes the image of earthly possessions sprawled out like gangly dolls, a reference possibly meant to bring about a sense of nostalgia which this poem does quite well. The final lines cement the message that this is about loss and life, the idea that once something is lost, it can no longer belong to anyone anymore brings a sense...
Edward Taylor’s Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children and Upon a Wasp Chilled with Cold are similar in their approach with the illustration of how beautiful and magnificent God’s creations are to humankind. However, each poem presents tragic misfortune, such as the death of his own children in Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children and the cold, enigmatic nature of human soul in Upon a Wasp Chilled with Cold. Taylor’s poems create an element of how cruel reality can be, as well as manifest an errant correlation between earthly life and spiritual salvation, which is how you react to the problems you face on earth determines the salvation that God has in store for you.
In the end, the journey the speaker embarked on throughout the poem was one of learning, especially as the reader was taken through the evolution of the speakers thoughts, demonstrated by the tone, and experienced the images that were seen in the speaker’s nightmare of the personified fear. As the journey commenced, the reader learned how the speaker dealt with the terrors and fears that were accompanied by some experience in the speaker’s life, and optimistically the reader learned just how they themselves deal with the consequences and troubles that are a result of the various situations they face in their
Abrams, M.H. and Greenblatt, Stephen eds. The Norton Anthology of English Literature: Seventh Edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2001.
Greenblatt, Stephen, eds. The Norton Anthology English Literature. 9th ed. Crawfordsville: R.R. Donnelley & Sons, 2012. Print.
The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Sixth Edition Volume1. Ed. M.H.Abrams. New York: W.W.Norton and Company, Inc., 1993.
* Drabble, Margaret, ed. The Oxford Companion to English Literature. 5th Ed. New York: Oxford UP, 1985.
Abrams, M. H., ed. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Vol I. 5th Ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 1986.