The song begins by describing the narrator returning to a place he he knows, “like the back of [his] hand” (2). The place has changed since he was last there, but he still takes comfort in it’s familiarity (4-5). The song goes on to describe the narrator longing for something, or someone, that he once had - perhaps a friend, a lover, or perhaps a feeling of youthful happiness he has lost. The narrator describes himself as, “old” and, “tired,” providing reasons for this missing person or thing to, “let [him] in” (6-8). He wishes for a new beginning, but with something from his past. The next verse describes the narrator coming across a fallen tree, and, “[feeling] the branches of it looking at [him]” (9-10). He says the place is one he used to love, and one that means something to him and his lost companion or thing. He also describes the place as changed, as if he has trouble reconciling it with his memories; he also mentions dreaming of this place, but finding that his dreams no longer match the reality. The narrator then pleads with absent friend or lover, desperately asking them: “If you have a minute, why don’t we go / somewhere only we know” (17-18). The last line, …show more content…
The entire song is a conceit, as the lyrics are filled with fanciful symbolism and metaphor. For example, the symbolism in the first verse. The, “empty land,” the narrator describes is symbolic for loneliness, and suggests that the narrator was once lonely and found happiness, but now he finds himself alone again (1). The line regarding the narrator’s feeling of the branches of the falling tree watching him personifies the tree, but is also symbolizes uncertainty, self-doubt, and possibly the ghosts of his past (8-9). The chorus, in which the narrator begs for some comfort or company, echoes with assonance: “So why don’t we go, somewhere only we know” (20). All of this adds to the power and resonance of the song as a
In the first stanza, first line; I saw two trees embracing, this means that there is a couple that is in love. In the second and third line we see that the male is weaker “one leaned on the other, as if to throw her down” and in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh line we notice that the female has the strength, willpower and is dominating. In the second stanza, line one, two and three we see that the female being dominant makes the male feel broken and intimidated. In line four “the most wind-warped, you could see”, hear we see that there is a major problem between the two.
The time period this work takes place in is a very gloomy and frightening time. He wakes up in a dark place by himself and in fear, which makes things worse. A common theme we can relate this dark place to is when we fall off of the path of God. Since God represents all things good, the dark is the exact opposite. Since everything is not so clear in the wood he his describing, the path back to God is even more difficult to attain.
For example, one line, “Soon our pilgrimage will cease; Soon our happy hearts will quiver, with the melody of peace,” which is saying that one day we will die, and you can’t stop that. “Lay we every burden down; Grace our spirits will deliver, and provide a robe and a crown,” also reveals that you should appreciate what we’ve had, and what was given to us. This song is telling you, in every line, that you can’t live forever, but appreciate what you have, while you
In this passage, Dickens’ juxtaposition, personification, detail, and diction reinforce Dickens’ tone of empathy and pity for the social conditions of the people of lower class France. When a large cask of wine spills open on the streets of France there is a mad rush to collect a taste of the spoiled wine. The people’s reactions consisted of “...frolicsome embraces, drinking of healths, shaking of hands, and even joining of hands and dancing a dozen together.” This exciting and scene of much happiness is juxtaposed by the “gloom that gathered on the scene that appeared more natural than sunshine” that occurs after all the wine has run out. This juxtaposition of the momentary happiness that the peasants of St. Antoine experience provide a contrast
The poem starts out with the daughter 's visit to her father and demand for money; an old memory is haunting the daughter. feeding off her anger. The daughter calls the father "a ghost [who] stood in [her] dreams," indicating that he is dead and she is now reliving an unpleasant childhood memory as she stands in front of his
In A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens explores the concept of rebirth (physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally) through the exploits of Doctor Manette, Charles Darnay, and Sydney Carton. Some major keys in his ideas of being resurrected are physical and mental recovery, escaping an unworthy past for a worthy cause, and the nobility of sacrifice.
A Tale of Two Cities Essay Throughout history, the powers of love and hate have constantly been engaged in a battle for superiority. Time and time again, love has proven to be stronger than hate, and has been able to overcome all of the obstacles that have stood in the way of it reaching its goal. On certain occasions, though, hate has been a viable foe and defeated love when they clash. In the novel A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens presents several different power struggles between love and hate.
This essay is anchored on the goal of looking closer and scrutinizing the said poem. It is divided into subheadings for the discussion of the analysis of each of the poem’s stanzas.
Throughout A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens repeats a number of symbols and motifs. By employing these two literary devices throughout the duration of the story, Dickens is working to emphasize the importance of these specific components of the story. Motifs and symbols represent repeating ideas that help the reader to understand, as well as highlight the author’s central idea. Dickens employs the usage of symbols and motifs, such that by using both he adds a layer of significance and deeper meaning to actions, people, as well as objects. Additionally, by using symbols and motifs, Dickens is able to create a story in which both the characters, and the plot are interwoven.
Morality is ones ability to uphold righteousness—to exert incorruptible integrity into situations seemingly devoid of virtue. It exposes resilient ethical inner-workings that are capable of enduring even the harshest of conditions, for the purity of morals seemingly always prevails. Save when conflicting emotions are involved, generating an aura of uncertainty that questions the actual motives of one who is perceivably so chaste. Within A Tale of Two Cities, Sydney Carton can be defined as morally ambiguous through his indefinite display of melancholy and through his intense adoration for Lucie—two sentiments so contradictory that one cannot determine his true nature.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is a classic novel written in the 1850’s by Charles Dickens. The novel is set in London and France during the French Revolution. The novel features an amazing use of themes as well as sensational development of characters. Charles Dickens and his feature style of the poor character who does something great is very evident in Sydney Carton, a drunken lawyer who becomes the hero of the book.
Bradford, PA, is a completely different world from Reading, PA, not only because they are located in different parts of the state but also because both have two completely different demographics and lifestyles. These two places have many differences that range from the revenue sources to the population’s recreational activities. Even with all these differences there are still a few basic similarities between these two places. In my personal experience, I have witnessed first-hand how it feels to live in both places and have developed certain thoughts about these two different settings such as how Bradford is such a laid place while Reading still has that 24-hour city feel to it.
From the first stanza of this song, you get put into a scene. You know almost immediately that it is about someone, and it is the middle of December, but without stating the obvious, it paints a more illustrated picture for you. The first line states, “A winters day, in a deep and dark December” and I could almost immediately feel a cool breeze around me. When I normally think of a winter’s day, I think of people playing in the snow, and having a good time. This may be because I grew up in Southern California where there has been a lack of snow, but in my head, that is what I imagine. Having them state, in a deep and dark December, turns my attitudes to the more pessimistic way of looking at things. The image of children playing in the snow in my head has now turned to cold and dark emptiness. Reinstating my idea of emptiness, the next line follows with the simply statement, “I am alone”. Personally, I hate being alone. So to have the opening words place us in a deep and dark setting, and then state that you are alone, automatically puts me in a negative mindset.
In the opening verse of the song, the speaker discusses the need to see her childhood home at least once more before moving on with her life. She shares with the current homeowner some of her experiences while growing up in the house. For instance, she says, “I know they say you can’t go home again, but I just had to come back one last time.” This shows that the speaker realizes that returning “home” is going to be a different experience than it was when she lived there, but she cannot resist the temptation of a final visit to the “house”. The speaker says that “Up those stairs in that little back bedroom, is where I did my homework and learned to play guitar. And I bet you didn’t know, under that live oak, my favorite dog is buried in the yard.” This indicates some of the significant memories the speaker has of her time in the house, such as honing her...
The song accomplishes such a thing by taking the approach of a man who knows he is dying, and who takes a nice approach to it. Before the man dies and gets to experience the beauty of heaven, he explains to his loved ones that he doesn't want them to cry for him when he is gone but rather be happy for him. Images of different seasons of the year to explain the process of growing older. Images that depict the fading of light in a persons soul transforming into darkness. Images that the reader can perceive as vivid actions.