"'Please don't write such depressing letters. Your're upsetting your mother.'" -"APO 96225" by Larry Rottmann
Because the chapter is based on figurative language, a majority of the poems use irony to get their point across. A good amount of them are criticizing something in society through this irony. This is most apparent in "Ozymandias" and "Barbie Doll." The speaker describes a figure who starts out with one appearance or nature and transforms into something diferent. By the end it sounds like the speaker is not surprised by the outcome; it is merely a appropriate end to a story. For this reason, the distinction between author and speaker in some ironic works is important to understand. The speaker wants the progression to sound normal while the author uses that tone to specifically point out characteristics of the characters or situations. Piercy certainly does not think a woman with plastic surgery and years of torment is a happy ending, but she has the speaker talk like it is to draw attention to the issue. The E.E. Cummings poem uses some of the same techniques. Cummings urges his audience to not worry, essentially spelling out the tragedy of patriotic death for any citizen. Cummings probably wants readers to question their loyalty to any governing power which is inevitably corrupt and crumbling.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Ozymandias
"Two vast and trunkless legs of stone stand in the desert..." -"Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley
This poem uses some common devices found in previous poems. I first focused in on the imagery which it provides. He talks about the "shattered visage" and "cold command" to give life to an inanimate object. In this way the sculpture is personified throughout the entire poem. A line that confused me was the one that stated, "The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed;" I feel as though the mocking hand could be the people who eventually led to the great king's downfall. Obviously they would be mocking if he had raised himself to the level in which the poem indicated he did. The heart is a bit more puzzling. The excerpt is referring to the passions which the sculptor recreated in the sculpture. When I think of vaingloriousness, I usually associate it with the mind. It is the mind that created the inflated ego. I suppose the heart symbolism indicates he usually acted on pure emotion rather than reason. The quote was another detail I believe the author included on purpose. He describes a "trunkless," or torso-less, sculpture with only the legs and head remaining. I think it is interesting that the thing that caused his ultimate demise, his head or ego, is still there and his legs to stand on are still there. The body is missing because his enemies took the body- they killed the man by stopping his vital organs in his body. The rest remains as a reminder of the inevitability of collapse of a passion-fed regime.
This poem uses some common devices found in previous poems. I first focused in on the imagery which it provides. He talks about the "shattered visage" and "cold command" to give life to an inanimate object. In this way the sculpture is personified throughout the entire poem. A line that confused me was the one that stated, "The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed;" I feel as though the mocking hand could be the people who eventually led to the great king's downfall. Obviously they would be mocking if he had raised himself to the level in which the poem indicated he did. The heart is a bit more puzzling. The excerpt is referring to the passions which the sculptor recreated in the sculpture. When I think of vaingloriousness, I usually associate it with the mind. It is the mind that created the inflated ego. I suppose the heart symbolism indicates he usually acted on pure emotion rather than reason. The quote was another detail I believe the author included on purpose. He describes a "trunkless," or torso-less, sculpture with only the legs and head remaining. I think it is interesting that the thing that caused his ultimate demise, his head or ego, is still there and his legs to stand on are still there. The body is missing because his enemies took the body- they killed the man by stopping his vital organs in his body. The rest remains as a reminder of the inevitability of collapse of a passion-fed regime.
Barbie Doll
"Her good nature wore out, like a fan belt." -"Barbie Doll" by Marge Piercy
I saw many similarities to last chapter's "Pink Dog" in this poem. First of all, it is set up in a satire so that the cause of the subject's actions are blamed on society. The girl is complimented and acknowledged by the speaker but eventually the tone shifts to her indadequacies. Eventually she gets to a point at which it is absolutely nescessary she change her physical nature or suffer greatly. I inlcuded the quote above because it is a common occurance in today's society. We all have ideals and morals we strive to live up to. However, the test of time eventually wears on us. The fan belt kept her from becoming overly influenced by emotion due to her appearance. This wore out and she was left to abandon her ideals. I was also intrigued by the line about how she "offered them up," referring to her old physical features. It could be thought of as merely ridding herself of their curse, but I think it is used to display her regret. She is asking forgiveness for giving in to the belief that her body will always be adequate.
Regardless of looks, we all have parts of our inner selves we need fixed. I don't think we can ever repair something completely like the poem suggests, but over time we make it better.
I saw many similarities to last chapter's "Pink Dog" in this poem. First of all, it is set up in a satire so that the cause of the subject's actions are blamed on society. The girl is complimented and acknowledged by the speaker but eventually the tone shifts to her indadequacies. Eventually she gets to a point at which it is absolutely nescessary she change her physical nature or suffer greatly. I inlcuded the quote above because it is a common occurance in today's society. We all have ideals and morals we strive to live up to. However, the test of time eventually wears on us. The fan belt kept her from becoming overly influenced by emotion due to her appearance. This wore out and she was left to abandon her ideals. I was also intrigued by the line about how she "offered them up," referring to her old physical features. It could be thought of as merely ridding herself of their curse, but I think it is used to display her regret. She is asking forgiveness for giving in to the belief that her body will always be adequate.
Regardless of looks, we all have parts of our inner selves we need fixed. I don't think we can ever repair something completely like the poem suggests, but over time we make it better.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
"February"
"Over and over again, He shoots, he scores! and famine crouches in the bedsheets..." -"February" by Margaret Atwood
This poem definitely has the most interesting motivation, aim, and diction of all the chapter poems. I was slightly taken aback at some of the language used. Poetry is always though of as proper, eloquent, and flowing. It usually does not inlcude phrases like "burped-up meat" and "small pink bumhole." I must say though, the imagery it creates serves the metaphor well. I also had trouble grasping the theme of the poem. She starts out by emphasizing life as a pursuit of sex and territory, or status, wealth, etc. More than halfway down it shifts to our "pollution," a "scewered heart," and french fries. I believe the cat is much like the toad in "Toads" in that it is a representation of a fundamentally damaging characteristic of society: our pursuit of pleasure and status and wealth. The poem also utilizes some sarcasm at the end when it says that it's the "life principle, more or less, so get going on a little optimism." Atwood doesn't truly think these pursuits will bring happiness but society tells us they do. Furthermore, February is an effective metaphor for living modestly. When I think of February, it is a time of great anticipation and exhausting with the long state of winter. It takes much more concentrated optimism to see the good in February. However, February doesn't lend itself to indulgences like French fries. February is modest and challenging.
This poem definitely has the most interesting motivation, aim, and diction of all the chapter poems. I was slightly taken aback at some of the language used. Poetry is always though of as proper, eloquent, and flowing. It usually does not inlcude phrases like "burped-up meat" and "small pink bumhole." I must say though, the imagery it creates serves the metaphor well. I also had trouble grasping the theme of the poem. She starts out by emphasizing life as a pursuit of sex and territory, or status, wealth, etc. More than halfway down it shifts to our "pollution," a "scewered heart," and french fries. I believe the cat is much like the toad in "Toads" in that it is a representation of a fundamentally damaging characteristic of society: our pursuit of pleasure and status and wealth. The poem also utilizes some sarcasm at the end when it says that it's the "life principle, more or less, so get going on a little optimism." Atwood doesn't truly think these pursuits will bring happiness but society tells us they do. Furthermore, February is an effective metaphor for living modestly. When I think of February, it is a time of great anticipation and exhausting with the long state of winter. It takes much more concentrated optimism to see the good in February. However, February doesn't lend itself to indulgences like French fries. February is modest and challenging.
"Pink Dog"-Tone
"If they do this to anyone who begs...what would they do to sick , four-legged dogs?" -"Pink Dog" by Elizabeth Bishop
In regard to the guide question about the tone and its utilization, I chose "Pink Dog" due to it being the most heavily opinionated and personal out of all the poems this chapter. My personal opinion is that "Pink Dog" is similar with "London" in that it focuses primarily on the problem through the somewhat harsh explanation of a single character. In this case, Bishop focuses on the appearance of the "dog" and its treatment by society to point out the injustices in the system. The tone of the poem starts out as somwhat sympathetic and cautionary, then leads into the deeper problematic tendencies with society- the sarcastic, ridiculing tone. Bishop is describing the behaviors of an established society (Rio de Janeiro) which has not adapted morally to care for its impoverished. She, like Larkin, acknowledges that the poor must live by the wits to adapt in such a hostile society. In that sense, it seems as though the sympathy is carried out through the whole poem. She urges the "dog" to dress up for Carnival. Essentially, she wants him/her to follow the thought process of society and cover up their unpleasantries in order to have a chance at fitting in with the normal people.
In regard to the guide question about the tone and its utilization, I chose "Pink Dog" due to it being the most heavily opinionated and personal out of all the poems this chapter. My personal opinion is that "Pink Dog" is similar with "London" in that it focuses primarily on the problem through the somewhat harsh explanation of a single character. In this case, Bishop focuses on the appearance of the "dog" and its treatment by society to point out the injustices in the system. The tone of the poem starts out as somwhat sympathetic and cautionary, then leads into the deeper problematic tendencies with society- the sarcastic, ridiculing tone. Bishop is describing the behaviors of an established society (Rio de Janeiro) which has not adapted morally to care for its impoverished. She, like Larkin, acknowledges that the poor must live by the wits to adapt in such a hostile society. In that sense, it seems as though the sympathy is carried out through the whole poem. She urges the "dog" to dress up for Carnival. Essentially, she wants him/her to follow the thought process of society and cover up their unpleasantries in order to have a chance at fitting in with the normal people.
Paradox
"...who must Like th' other foot, obliquely run;" -"A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" by John Donne
When I first read this statement it appeared illogical and contradictory, like a paradox should. Usually when one run the feet will be in paralll paths or else the individual will be wasting energy. Even to turn slightly requires more energy than to run in straight line. Although the statement suggests the follower is running in circles, the rest of the stanza clears up the contradiction. The speaker says that his/her firmness makes his "circle just." The follower is being guided along a circular path leading back to the start. The author tries to explain the difficulty in love in this stanza. He suggests that love is not easy- it requires effort, hence the circular path- but it can lead back to something great which the two once shared. Another contradiction I found which was slightly more easy to comprehend. In "Toads" Larkin uses an entire stanza of contradictions to illustrate a point. He mentions those who "live on their wits" such as "Losels, loblolly-men, louts" who somehow "don't end as paupers." When I think of of thieves and bums, I usually think of poverty or paupers and not someone who lives on their wits. He uses the contradiction to explain a point which he makes throughout the poem. He says that despite their immoral means of livelihood, they ultimately end up more fulfilled in life than someone who chases wealth.
When I first read this statement it appeared illogical and contradictory, like a paradox should. Usually when one run the feet will be in paralll paths or else the individual will be wasting energy. Even to turn slightly requires more energy than to run in straight line. Although the statement suggests the follower is running in circles, the rest of the stanza clears up the contradiction. The speaker says that his/her firmness makes his "circle just." The follower is being guided along a circular path leading back to the start. The author tries to explain the difficulty in love in this stanza. He suggests that love is not easy- it requires effort, hence the circular path- but it can lead back to something great which the two once shared. Another contradiction I found which was slightly more easy to comprehend. In "Toads" Larkin uses an entire stanza of contradictions to illustrate a point. He mentions those who "live on their wits" such as "Losels, loblolly-men, louts" who somehow "don't end as paupers." When I think of of thieves and bums, I usually think of poverty or paupers and not someone who lives on their wits. He uses the contradiction to explain a point which he makes throughout the poem. He says that despite their immoral means of livelihood, they ultimately end up more fulfilled in life than someone who chases wealth.
Personification
"A depilated dog would not look well. Dress up!" -"Pink Dog" by Elizabeth Bishop
At the beginning of chaper 5, personification, a specific type of figure of speech, is highlighted and discussed. It shows up in several of the poems to add depth and meaning to the theme. In poems like "Bright Star" and "Pink Dog" the metaphor is carried out throughout the entire poem and the effect of the speaker being or longing to be the object personified is built upon through descriptions of its characteristics. The book suggests that there are varying degrees of personification. Sometimes we are asked to compare an object in every aspect to a human and other times only part of the object is emphasized. For most of the poems, especially ones like "Bright Star," only part of the star is emphasized. When I think of personification, I often think it is used to give life and interest to something simple, like a flower or worm. However, "Bright Star" showed me that the opposite can also be true. Keats uses the immortal and eternal aspects of a star in an attempt to explain his own longing for superhuman qualities. We wants to be sleepless and omniscient while also being able to love and feel emotion. He wants intimacy and distance and illustrates it through personification.
At the beginning of chaper 5, personification, a specific type of figure of speech, is highlighted and discussed. It shows up in several of the poems to add depth and meaning to the theme. In poems like "Bright Star" and "Pink Dog" the metaphor is carried out throughout the entire poem and the effect of the speaker being or longing to be the object personified is built upon through descriptions of its characteristics. The book suggests that there are varying degrees of personification. Sometimes we are asked to compare an object in every aspect to a human and other times only part of the object is emphasized. For most of the poems, especially ones like "Bright Star," only part of the star is emphasized. When I think of personification, I often think it is used to give life and interest to something simple, like a flower or worm. However, "Bright Star" showed me that the opposite can also be true. Keats uses the immortal and eternal aspects of a star in an attempt to explain his own longing for superhuman qualities. We wants to be sleepless and omniscient while also being able to love and feel emotion. He wants intimacy and distance and illustrates it through personification.
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