"Rage, Rage, against the dying of the light."
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
In this poem, the speaker discusses how different people react to dying, or "the dying of the light". The common theme, however, is that everyone fights death in one way or another. They don't want it to come, and are angered by its arrival, so fight back. The speaker, in the end, urges his own father to fight death as most men do. The speaker obviously doesn't want his father to die, and is therefore trying to get him to put it off. This reminds me of a scene from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie. In it, Tibby pleads with her friend Bailey to continue fighting cancer, to not give up but keep going. Bailey tells Tibby that it is alright, comforting her. It seems to me that that is often the case- the dying seem to lend their mental strength to the living, because those are the people who need it most. I imagine the father, in this situation, may be close to accepting his death, which is why the son feels the need to write the poem. I almost sense the same feelings conveyed as in Elegy for My Father, Who Is Not Dead, even though they may be conveyed in completely different ways. It is very hard to lose someone you love, even though you know they will be happier in heaven.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Perfection? Psshh.... boring.
"Do more bewitch me than when art
Is too precise in every part."
Delight in Disorder
At the beginning of this poem, I was under the impression that the speaker was just very distracted. I may even have diagnosed him with ADD. It's like he is looking over an outfit, and along the way becoming enthralled and distracted by every little detail and imprefection, never able to stay focused on one thing. In a way, I guess this is what is actually happening. However, the final couplet of the poem explains why the reader notices all of these things, and why they are being put into the poem- it is all to prove his point. Through the last couplet, I gathered that the speaker thinks that imperfection is beautiful, wonderful, and interesting, especially in art. I definately agree. Who wants to look at a perfect painting, one with no imperfections. Even in photography, which is an exact reproduction of the real thing, it is the imperfections in the image that make the photo artistic or compelling. This may be a weird connection, but I think scars on a person are the same way- the scars are an imperfection of the skin, but they are so much more. Scars come with stories, and tell about the person who has them. In the same way, the imperfections of the clothes that the speaker describes are what makes the outfit and the wearer interesting.
"And in fact, I think the more we start to worship perfection the more soul leaks out of art."
Kathy Mattea
"The imperfections of a man, his frailties, his faults, are just as important as his virtues. You can't separate them. They're wedded." Henry Miller
Is too precise in every part."
Delight in Disorder
At the beginning of this poem, I was under the impression that the speaker was just very distracted. I may even have diagnosed him with ADD. It's like he is looking over an outfit, and along the way becoming enthralled and distracted by every little detail and imprefection, never able to stay focused on one thing. In a way, I guess this is what is actually happening. However, the final couplet of the poem explains why the reader notices all of these things, and why they are being put into the poem- it is all to prove his point. Through the last couplet, I gathered that the speaker thinks that imperfection is beautiful, wonderful, and interesting, especially in art. I definately agree. Who wants to look at a perfect painting, one with no imperfections. Even in photography, which is an exact reproduction of the real thing, it is the imperfections in the image that make the photo artistic or compelling. This may be a weird connection, but I think scars on a person are the same way- the scars are an imperfection of the skin, but they are so much more. Scars come with stories, and tell about the person who has them. In the same way, the imperfections of the clothes that the speaker describes are what makes the outfit and the wearer interesting.
"And in fact, I think the more we start to worship perfection the more soul leaks out of art."
Kathy Mattea
"The imperfections of a man, his frailties, his faults, are just as important as his virtues. You can't separate them. They're wedded." Henry Miller
This poem is odd, This poem is odd, This poem is odd, This poem is odd.
"Edward, Edward"
Edward
This poem has a very specific stucture that is based off of repetition. The book, in its questions, recommends reading the poem without the third and seventh line in every stanza to observe the effect of rhyming on the poem. I did this, and noticed many things. First, when I read the poem the first time, I read the first like in a normal tone, but in its repetition, it was with a condescending, accusatory tone. Also, the fifth line I read normally, but the seventh in an upset, defensive tone. The repetition allowed me to explore my options for the voices of the speakers, and gave me a sure meaning as to how they said what they did. The repetion of "Edward" and "Mother" are also there for a reason- not only does it give the poem a more flowing rhythm, but it helps create the dialogue situation that is occuring. Lastly, "O" has it's purpose as well. For me, it served as a constant vowel that's meaning could be changed according to the speaker and situation. In the last line of the poem, I thought it almost could be read as an ironic, even sarcastic "O". Was the speaker partially blaming his mother for his situation?
Edward
This poem has a very specific stucture that is based off of repetition. The book, in its questions, recommends reading the poem without the third and seventh line in every stanza to observe the effect of rhyming on the poem. I did this, and noticed many things. First, when I read the poem the first time, I read the first like in a normal tone, but in its repetition, it was with a condescending, accusatory tone. Also, the fifth line I read normally, but the seventh in an upset, defensive tone. The repetition allowed me to explore my options for the voices of the speakers, and gave me a sure meaning as to how they said what they did. The repetion of "Edward" and "Mother" are also there for a reason- not only does it give the poem a more flowing rhythm, but it helps create the dialogue situation that is occuring. Lastly, "O" has it's purpose as well. For me, it served as a constant vowel that's meaning could be changed according to the speaker and situation. In the last line of the poem, I thought it almost could be read as an ironic, even sarcastic "O". Was the speaker partially blaming his mother for his situation?
Don't Run Away
"For here nevermore must I be, O."
Edward
This poem has a theme that points out the tendency of humans to run away from their problems, rather than face the consequences for their wrongdoings. I believe the author is criticizing these people, proven by the fact that he brings up what will happen to "your children and wife", reminding people who run away about everything they are leaving behind. Obviously Edward is ashamed of what he did- he tries to avoid the truth in the beginning, and decides to leave because he knows it is bad. But it is proven that his problems won't be solved by leaving. In fact, this poem calls forth all of the bad things that will happen by him running away. I was, however, confused by the final stanza- I wasn't sure what Edward was saying would happen to his mother, or whether her "counsels" were good or bad.
Overall, this is an odd poem, in my opinion. I can't help but wonder if this "Anonymous" author wrote it with no greater purpose other than to watch other people struggle to decipher it. Perhaps he or she is laughing at us AP Lit students and our struggles right now.
Edward
This poem has a theme that points out the tendency of humans to run away from their problems, rather than face the consequences for their wrongdoings. I believe the author is criticizing these people, proven by the fact that he brings up what will happen to "your children and wife", reminding people who run away about everything they are leaving behind. Obviously Edward is ashamed of what he did- he tries to avoid the truth in the beginning, and decides to leave because he knows it is bad. But it is proven that his problems won't be solved by leaving. In fact, this poem calls forth all of the bad things that will happen by him running away. I was, however, confused by the final stanza- I wasn't sure what Edward was saying would happen to his mother, or whether her "counsels" were good or bad.
Overall, this is an odd poem, in my opinion. I can't help but wonder if this "Anonymous" author wrote it with no greater purpose other than to watch other people struggle to decipher it. Perhaps he or she is laughing at us AP Lit students and our struggles right now.
Changing it Up
"He's ready. I am not"
Elegy for My Father, Who Is Not Dead
This poem makes its greatest points by using varied syntax. Some sentences are of a normal or even long length, but others are abnormally short. Why? Because those short sentences go straight to the point, making the reader realize exactly what the speaker is trying to say. It also helps the speaker make his point seem more forceful, and confident. When the speakers says "I am not," it presents a strong contrast from the also short sentence before. The reader quickly realizes that the speaker is emotional, even upset about these two conflicting ideas. "He's ready" is also repeated, which again emphasizes that the father has accepted that he will die, even "wants to go". The repetition and varying syntax combine to relay the speaker's point effectively.
Elegy for My Father, Who Is Not Dead
This poem makes its greatest points by using varied syntax. Some sentences are of a normal or even long length, but others are abnormally short. Why? Because those short sentences go straight to the point, making the reader realize exactly what the speaker is trying to say. It also helps the speaker make his point seem more forceful, and confident. When the speakers says "I am not," it presents a strong contrast from the also short sentence before. The reader quickly realizes that the speaker is emotional, even upset about these two conflicting ideas. "He's ready" is also repeated, which again emphasizes that the father has accepted that he will die, even "wants to go". The repetition and varying syntax combine to relay the speaker's point effectively.
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