The stately Homes of England,
How beautiful they stand!
Amidst their tall ancestral trees,
O'er all the pleasant land.
(pg 412, lines 1-4)
This poem by Felicia Hemans has to be the biggest case of patriotism, loyalty, and love for one's country that I have ever witnessed. Hemans' entire poem is about the beauty that she sees in England and the love that she has for England. Hemans writes of England as if she's the proudest citizen to ever live there. She writes as if she feels as though England and the beauty that it possesses is the most wonderful thing ever to be created by God.
And green for ever be the groves,
And bright the flower sod,
Where first the child's glad spirit loves
Its country and its God!
(pg 412, lines 37-40)
I definitely believe that Hemans' love for England is terrific. I love where I am from just as much as she loves England. I am proud to be a citizen of the United States, for better or for worse. I also strongly believe that everyone should have a great love for their country. There are far worse places to live on Earth, with far worse conditions might I add. Every citizen of the United States should be appreciative of all that we have because many other countries do not have the luxuries that we have. Likewise, many other countries do not have the funds or the accessories to possess half of what we have in the United States.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Alfred, Lord Tennyson - Tears, Idle Tears
I'm not sure why, but this poem instills a sense of depression in me. The talk of death and that which is no more is somewhat depressing. Tennyson's poem also speaks of crying. Anytime tears are brought into the picture, I get sad and begin to wonder why the individual is so down. In this case, I believe that the poem tells of someone that has lost a dear friend or significant other. Tennyson writes, "Fresh as the first beam glittering on a sail; That brings our friends up from the underworld," (pg 597, lines 6-7). This makes me believe that the individual has lost a dear friend and is reflecting on the times they once shared.
When I first read, "In looking on the happy Autumn-fields; And thinking of the days that are no more," (pg 597, lines 4-5), it made me think back to the days that I spent mourning one of my closest friends that had recently passed away. Although I got emotional due to this, I really fell in love with the poem when I read the second stanza. Tennyson wrote, "Sad as the last which reddens over one; That sinks with all we love below the verge; So sad, so fresh, the days that are no more." (pg 597, lines 8-10). I was speechless! The feelings that I had once possessed when my dear friend died had come rushing back! That seemed to say, "Oh, it was as if it had just happened yesterday." I could feel the emotion in the poem as if I had written it myself. The individual seemed to be deeply missing a friend and just couldn't fight the tears when the memories had come rushing back. I give this poem two thumbs up and five stars, mainly because I could literally feel the emotion of the individual in the poem within myself.
When I first read, "In looking on the happy Autumn-fields; And thinking of the days that are no more," (pg 597, lines 4-5), it made me think back to the days that I spent mourning one of my closest friends that had recently passed away. Although I got emotional due to this, I really fell in love with the poem when I read the second stanza. Tennyson wrote, "Sad as the last which reddens over one; That sinks with all we love below the verge; So sad, so fresh, the days that are no more." (pg 597, lines 8-10). I was speechless! The feelings that I had once possessed when my dear friend died had come rushing back! That seemed to say, "Oh, it was as if it had just happened yesterday." I could feel the emotion in the poem as if I had written it myself. The individual seemed to be deeply missing a friend and just couldn't fight the tears when the memories had come rushing back. I give this poem two thumbs up and five stars, mainly because I could literally feel the emotion of the individual in the poem within myself.
Thomas Hardy - The Convergence of the Twain
Everyone knows the tragic story of the great Titanic. Hardy has found a way to creatively put all that we know of the Titanic into one poem. As he writes, Hardy paints a clear picture of what happened that disastrous night that the Titanic sank, killing over 1,000 people.
And as the smart ship grew
In statute, grace, and hue,
In shadowy silent distance grew the Iceberg too.
(pg 1076, lines 22-24)
If this poem were evaluated, I would call this stanza the climax. I feel as though the descriptions before this stanza were nice, but quite boring; they were simply descriptions of the night, boat, sea, and items found once the shipwreck was discovered. Nonetheless, this stanza sets a feeling of action into motion. I can almost feel the crew members' panic myself as the iceberg drew nearer and nearer.
Alien they seemed to be:
No mortal eye could see
The intimate welding of their later history,
(pg 1077, lines 25-27)
This stanza alone makes the reader feel a sense of panic and curiosity. For those that do not know the story of the Titanic, this stanza puts them at the edge of their seat. Hardy made me feel very sympathetic for those that died on the Titanic and especially those that survived. Men, women, and children all died this night due to, in my opinion, a mixture between carelessness and nature. I believe that the Titanic taught the world a lesson that needed to be learned to prevent events like this from happening again in the future.
And as the smart ship grew
In statute, grace, and hue,
In shadowy silent distance grew the Iceberg too.
(pg 1076, lines 22-24)
If this poem were evaluated, I would call this stanza the climax. I feel as though the descriptions before this stanza were nice, but quite boring; they were simply descriptions of the night, boat, sea, and items found once the shipwreck was discovered. Nonetheless, this stanza sets a feeling of action into motion. I can almost feel the crew members' panic myself as the iceberg drew nearer and nearer.
Alien they seemed to be:
No mortal eye could see
The intimate welding of their later history,
(pg 1077, lines 25-27)
This stanza alone makes the reader feel a sense of panic and curiosity. For those that do not know the story of the Titanic, this stanza puts them at the edge of their seat. Hardy made me feel very sympathetic for those that died on the Titanic and especially those that survived. Men, women, and children all died this night due to, in my opinion, a mixture between carelessness and nature. I believe that the Titanic taught the world a lesson that needed to be learned to prevent events like this from happening again in the future.
William Butler Yeats - The Second Coming
Yeats has outdone himself in "The Second Coming." He tells of the return of Christ to Earth for the second time. This poem illustrates what I have always thought Judgement Day would be. things fall apart; the centere cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world," (pg 1122, lines 3-4). This quote shows that Yeats believes that there would be total chaos in the world when Christ returns. Many people try to ignore the thought of Judgement Day, but Yeats has put this fear aside and created a poem dedicated to Christ's great return.
I am a Christian woman. not only do I believe in God and Jesus Christ, but I also believe that Jesus will return again. The second coming of Jesus Christ will be exactly as Yeats described, but that is just my opinion. Yeats writes, "Surely some revelation is at hand; Surely the Second Coming is at hand." (pg 1122, lines 9-10). I Completely agree! The day may not have come yet, but it is definitely well on its way. One day, Jesus will return for his "Second Coming," and when that day comes, I hope all of mankind is prepared.
I am a Christian woman. not only do I believe in God and Jesus Christ, but I also believe that Jesus will return again. The second coming of Jesus Christ will be exactly as Yeats described, but that is just my opinion. Yeats writes, "Surely some revelation is at hand; Surely the Second Coming is at hand." (pg 1122, lines 9-10). I Completely agree! The day may not have come yet, but it is definitely well on its way. One day, Jesus will return for his "Second Coming," and when that day comes, I hope all of mankind is prepared.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Thomas Hardy - On the Departure Platform
I interpreted Thomas Hardy's "On the Departure Platform" as somewhat of a sad love story. It is quite heartbreaking. The poem tells of a man, that I take is going off to war, that is leaving his woman behind. It is sad because as he sails away, he watches as the distance between them grows and she gets smaller and smaller, until she is no more.
Then show again, till I ceased to see
That flexible form, that nebulous white;
And she who was more than my life to me
Had vanished quite...."
(pg 1075, lines 13-16)
This woman was the love of his life and he was forced to leave her. He left who he loved so dearly to fight in a war. That particular stanza causes much sorrow because I know what it is like to have to leave the one that you love against your wishes. The most awful part of this poem is that the young man knows that he will see his woman again, but their love will not be the same. That love and that day will only happen once. While they may still love each other, things will never be the same. This is expressed in the following stanza.
We have penned new plans since that fair fond day,
And in season she will appear again--
Perhaps in the same soft white array--
But never as then!
(pg 1076, lines 17-20)
This is my idea of a sad love story. A couple that is so in love with each other is separated by the hate of war. Many of my favorite movies are modeled after stories of this nature. The separation is heartbreaking, but the reunion after being kept apart by distance and time is far more emotional. Love poems are my favorite. Hardy gets two thumbs up and five stars for this one.
Then show again, till I ceased to see
That flexible form, that nebulous white;
And she who was more than my life to me
Had vanished quite...."
(pg 1075, lines 13-16)
This woman was the love of his life and he was forced to leave her. He left who he loved so dearly to fight in a war. That particular stanza causes much sorrow because I know what it is like to have to leave the one that you love against your wishes. The most awful part of this poem is that the young man knows that he will see his woman again, but their love will not be the same. That love and that day will only happen once. While they may still love each other, things will never be the same. This is expressed in the following stanza.
We have penned new plans since that fair fond day,
And in season she will appear again--
Perhaps in the same soft white array--
But never as then!
(pg 1076, lines 17-20)
This is my idea of a sad love story. A couple that is so in love with each other is separated by the hate of war. Many of my favorite movies are modeled after stories of this nature. The separation is heartbreaking, but the reunion after being kept apart by distance and time is far more emotional. Love poems are my favorite. Hardy gets two thumbs up and five stars for this one.
Siegfried Sassoon - Glory of Women
I am ecstatic to finally see a poem from a man giving women glory. Women do not get enough credit for sticking beside their husbands, sons, and brothers through tough times. It seems to be overlooked by the world, but a man has finally given women credit. It is hard being the left to a man's right without proper credit. Sassoon writes, "You love us when we're heroes, home on leave; Or wounded in a mentionable place." (pg 1099, lines 1-2). That is right! We women do not care if you are a war hero, handicapped, or unsuccessful in all of your endeavors, we are still supportive. I'm proud to be a woman, especially after receiving the proper credit. Being a woman is hard work, but we do this as we balance being the legs of our men when they can no longer walk.
"You crown our distant ardours while we fight; And mourn our laurelled memories when we're killed." (pg 1099, lines 7-8). I couldn't have said it better myself! While our men are away at war, we still love them deeply and passionately, and our devotion never diminishes. On the other hand, if our significant other is killed, we mourn the loss of him. We remember all of their honors and accomplishments. I, along with many other women, make sure that the memory of my man is always remembered. I believe that being a woman is beautiful and Sassoon has illustrated the beauty, strength and loyalty of women in this one poem.
"You crown our distant ardours while we fight; And mourn our laurelled memories when we're killed." (pg 1099, lines 7-8). I couldn't have said it better myself! While our men are away at war, we still love them deeply and passionately, and our devotion never diminishes. On the other hand, if our significant other is killed, we mourn the loss of him. We remember all of their honors and accomplishments. I, along with many other women, make sure that the memory of my man is always remembered. I believe that being a woman is beautiful and Sassoon has illustrated the beauty, strength and loyalty of women in this one poem.
Gerard Manley Hopkins - Thou Art Indeed Just, Lord
The man speaking in this poem seems to be begging God for answers in the midst of very adverse times. He seems to be struggling to stay a good man and away from the sinner's way of life. He asks God, "Why do sinners' ways prosper? and why must; Dissappointment all I endeavour end?" (pg 778, lines 3-4). I find this to be similar to the saying, "Nice guys finish last." If you think about it, the saying is quite accurate. For example, drug dealers steal, kill, and sell illegal substances that are harmful to the human mind and body. Nevertheless, they make far more money than the good Christian man that works twelve hour shifts at McDonald's or in a factory. The drug dealer lives a sinner's way of life, and is very prosperous, but the good Christian man struggles to earn money and "make due" the honest way. Also, oftentimes people that would like to work honest jobs cannot find work or are constantly denied work, resulting in having to turn to the sinner's way of life in order to survive.
When times get tough, many people turn to God. They become so desperate that they ask why they deserve such treatment. Manley writes, "Wert thou my enemy, O thou my friend," (pg 778, line 5). I have been in this position a few times in my life. It makes you stop to ask God, "Are you against me? I thought you loved me! Are you on my side as my savior and my friend, or are you my enemy?" That is exactly what is the case in the poem! The man in the poem is talking to God and asking for help. "Mine, O thou lord of life, send my roots rain." (pg 778, line 14). I feel this translates to, "Please God! Help me!" When I read poems like this, it reminds me of the struggles and obstacles that people must overcome in life. I strongly believe that although the sinner's way of life may look easier and more prosperous, God's path will always lead you to the right place. In my opinion, no matter what situation I go through or what I may be struggling with, talking to God is always the best choice.
When times get tough, many people turn to God. They become so desperate that they ask why they deserve such treatment. Manley writes, "Wert thou my enemy, O thou my friend," (pg 778, line 5). I have been in this position a few times in my life. It makes you stop to ask God, "Are you against me? I thought you loved me! Are you on my side as my savior and my friend, or are you my enemy?" That is exactly what is the case in the poem! The man in the poem is talking to God and asking for help. "Mine, O thou lord of life, send my roots rain." (pg 778, line 14). I feel this translates to, "Please God! Help me!" When I read poems like this, it reminds me of the struggles and obstacles that people must overcome in life. I strongly believe that although the sinner's way of life may look easier and more prosperous, God's path will always lead you to the right place. In my opinion, no matter what situation I go through or what I may be struggling with, talking to God is always the best choice.
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