Spirit of Poet

Spirit of Poet

One requires ingenuity to write beyond his or her typical interest or knowledge base, and a strong sense of self-understanding and confidence to express any type of specialized or emotional sentiment. Poets are fearless warriors, composing into translation for others what is otherwise only understood in their own hearts. Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, and John Milton go deeper into their art over the course of their lifetimes, reflecting a spirit of inquiry into their work. In “The Road Not Taken,” “Mother to Son,” and “When I Consider How My Light Is Spent,” respectively by these three authors, themes such as light, and life is a journey, help the reader not only understand the message of the poets, but dawn in respect for the intent poetry.

Light is mentioned in all three poems in ways that reflect the frame of mind of each poem’s respective speaker. Frost’s speaker is traveling through a “yellow wood,” one “morning,” when “two roads” diverge and a choice is made to continue traveling on the one that “wanted wear.” The alliteration of the “w” vibration in “yellow wood” and “wanted wear” draw attention as a diversion from the quick pace of the loose iambic rhythm. Combining literary devices like rhythm and alliteration add to the effect of the poem, and to its other elements, such as metaphor and visual imagery. Set in a forest illuminated with “yellow” landscape and the brightness of “morning” sun, the traveler’s attitude adds another level of light to the lightness of the day. Frost creates a cheerful autumn atmosphere, naturally leading his character through a process of decision-making with the casual consideration of two goods, avoiding the typically associated fear and stress, as perceived in Hughes’ “Mother to Son.”

“Well, son, I’ll tell you,” Hughes introduces his speaker with language that creates a strong and confident persona, speaking whole-heartedly to her son. “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair,” she goes on to say, she is described as independent of external light, since she is “sometimes goin’ in the dark where there ain’t been no light.” This offers an allusion that she is guided by her own inner light. Hughes’ freely styled visual imagery describes a difficult and desolate atmosphere, especially when compared to Frost’s bright, rhymed and rhythmic poem. Hughes instead glorifies his speaker by allowing her to express how she has lived in brightness despite drab circumstances.