And More Death / Metaphors - Poetry Blog 2 (Death, Be Not Proud)

"Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me."

~ John Donne, Death, Be Not Proud

This poem is filled with metaphors. The most significant metaphor relates to death and religion. Throughout the poem, there is an image of Jesus' crucifixion. It talks about how death cannot conquer a human, even if he does die - "die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me." This is metaphorical for how Jesus died on the cross to save all of us and help us achieve salvation. Also, the poem says "one short sleep passed, we wake eternally, and death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die." This sounds pretty familiar - the message is in the Gospel. Jesus died, just as we all will die (the short sleep passed), but then, he gave us everlasting life (we wake eternally), because he conquered death (death, thou shalt die). These metaphors teach to not be afraid of death because we will all be saved and live forever in the end.

Approaching Death / Symbolism - Poetry Blog 4 (Crossing the Bar)

"Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar When I put out to sea."

The poem Crossing the Bar by Alfred, Lord Tennyson uses a lot of symbolism throughout. During the poem, he is talking about what he wants to happen at his imminent death. He doesn't want anyone to mourn for him; his death should be quiet and peaceful. He says this several times when he states "And may there be no moaning of the bar When I put out to sea," and "And may there be no sadness of farewell When I embark." The sea is used as a symbol for death, and as he crosses the sandbar into the sea, he is dying. The poem brings about the idea of the "circle of life" as a never-ending cycle when Tennyson says "But such a tide moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home." God is also represented in the poem as the Pilot when Tennyson expresses his desire to see God when he dies.

Seasonal Writings - Poetry Blog Numero Uno (Spring, The Widow's Lament in Springtime, Those Winter Sundays, and To Autumn)

For my first blog, I'm analyzing the poems Spring by Gerard Manley Hopkins, The Widow's Lament in Springtime by William Carlos Williams, Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden, and To Autumn by John Keats. I really hope you are catching on to the pattern.

Using seasons in poems and other artistic works is particularly common, perhaps because our surroundings and environment contribute so much to our lives. Two of the poems, Spring and The Widow's Lament in Springtime have many similar images and meanings. They both praise creation and life through flowers and colors particularly. To Autumn also praises nature, but emphasizes what it has already given and how we should appreciate that, when the two former poems celebrate the beginning of new life (simply because of the two seasons). The differences between the two spring poems are that Spring holds religious symbolism - it compares spring to the garden of Eden before the fruit of knowledge was eaten. The Widow's Lament focuses on the contrast between the hope and life of spring and the woman's mourning of her husband.

The poem that differs most drastically from the other three is Those Winter Sundays. Initially, the season has no symbolic significance to the poem. However, winter does provide a backdrop needed for the mood and action throughout the poem.

Imperfectly Beautiful (Chapter 18/ Pages 241-259)

"Slowly, very slowly, like two unhurried compass needles, the feet turned towards the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-west; then paused, and, after a few seconds, turned as unhurriedly back towards the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east..."

~ Brave New World, page 259

My overall experience with this book was very positive; although it was frustrating at times, the novel was exciting and different. It was really hard to believe that this was written in the 1930's though, because the detail of genetic engineering is so ahead of its time - even if an author were to write it today.

As for the last chapter, I found it kind of heartbreaking. John, who had the right ideas about life, who had so much passion and faith, was only trying to escape the madness. However, the chaos followed him into his solitude and completely wrecked it - and I think for the last days of his life, he was tortured by the people and their lifestyle. But, in the end, he did escape; I just wish it hadn't happened like it did. It was surprising that someone who was so religious would commit suicide. I know he wasn't provided any guidelines that told him it was immoral, but he seemed to be the type of person who did everything the hard way only to strengthen himself. But maybe there was only one way for him in the end.

And now, we come to a close with Brave New World. This book has taught me the dangers of complete stability. It is wrong to live life numbly and safely, because nothing can be experienced or learned or felt. Everything the citizens enjoyed was fake - it was a lie, and the only reason it felt good was because it temporarily put aside their problems. A perfect life, ironically, isn't perfect. It's full of excitement, passion, breakdowns, obstacles, wins, losses, challenges, expression, and joy. The book has once again left me with the same question I had when I started reading - is perfection worth the loss of what makes life truly beautiful?