Poetry Analysis: "The Nymph's Reply to his Shephard"

Although I try to see the world in a optimistic view, and I like any authors who write in that fashion, I liked Raleigh’s view towards the harsh fact of reality in “The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepard.” When reading “The Passionate Shepard to his Love,” I enjoyed Marlowe’s optimism and never questioned the reality of his thoughts until I read Raleigh’s poem. Such quotes as “when rivers rage,” and “ flowers do fade,” show Raleigh’s point of view and that he views the world in a realistic way. Unfortunately, rivers will rage and flowers will fade, and many writers like to ignore the fact of what is real.

Poetry Analysis: "Negro"

“Negro,” by Langston Hughes is a poem that represents the views of many African Americans in the 1920’s. I liked how he represented many different parts of the world and how African Americans most likely felt during this time period. I also liked how he didn’t hold back in the descriptions in every stanza. “The Belgians cut off my hands in the Congo,” in line 15 is an extremely moving and, unfortunately, true fact. It is obvious that Langston Hughes had a strong passion for expressing the views of African Americans during this time period and i commend that.

Poetry Analysis: "I, Too"

“I, Too,” by Langston Hughes is an extremely moving poem. It was written in 1925, when African Americans were not fairly represented, and it showed Hughes’ hope for a more equal world. I liked how he used the simple example of being sent to the “kitchen” to define how African Americans were treated and most felt during this time period. I also liked how he referred to himself as the “darker brother,” who was still American. Although he was being misrepresented by many Americans, he still saw himself as an American and he knew there would be a brighter future. 

Poetry Analysis: "Harlem"

Although “Harlem,” by Langston Hughes is a very short poem, it is still very descriptive and meaningful. In the poem, Hughes is describing the feelings of frustration that African Americans feel during the turn of the Civil Rights movement. He uses similes to describe the possible different feelings one could be feeling at this time. “Dry up like a raisin in the son,” describes how some African Americans let their hopes shrivel up and ultimately die. “Or does it explode,” could be describing how some people turned hateful and “exploded” with violence. Not only does the poem describe to readers how many African Americans were feeling, but it also paints a picture in readers’ minds of how Harlem looked during this time. Possibly, it was an unpleasant scene to see or smell as a running sore or rotten meat is.

Poetry Analysis: "Loney Hearts"

“Lonely Hearts,” by Wendy Cope is a very good example of a villanelle. I found it interesting how Cope used the word “simple” in the very first line because the remainder of the poem is far from simple. Each stanza is a different speaker searching for their perfect match, and each speaker has a very detailed description of what they want. Another way to view the poem is that there is only one speaker. Possibly a woman is desperate and looking for a partner and she will become any type of person to meet the different descriptions. The only time readers see the speaker relating to a stanza is in the line “Successful, straight and solvent? I am too,” although she still reads on, trying to find a partner. This shows readers her level of desperateness.

Poetry Analysis: "Death Be Not Proud"

“Death Be Not Proud,” by John Donne, is an interesting look at death as a whole. The poet is stating that death should not feel powerful or proud because human beings do not die but live eternally after “one short sleep past.” When researching more about this poem, I came across someone stating that Donne had smallpox when he wrote this poem. Having that knowledge, I can interpret that Donne was trying to be optimistic about his inevitable fate. I like Donne’s view on death, seeing it as an actual object, and then telling Death he is not scared of him. Because in Donne’s view, we do not die but live forever in Heaven.

Poetry Analysis: "The Chimney Sweeper"

“The Chimney Sweeper,” by William Blake is about boys who are sold into a form of slavery to work as chimney sweepers. The speaker in the poem is a chimney sweeper as well, but he seems to be more headstrong than Tom Dacre, whom the poet describes through Tom’s dream. Tom’s dream is about himself and other little boys locked in coffins but then released by an angel. They “rise upon clouds,” and Tom has the prospect of “God for his father,” and when Tom awakes feeling “happy and warm.” I think it is sad and somewhat disturbing that Tom is happy when he wakes because it is obvious he just dreamt of heaven. I interpreted that Tom was looking forward to Heaven, which no little boy should ever be anxiously awaiting. 

Poetry Analysis: "My Mistress' Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun"

“My Mistress’ Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun,” by William Shakespeare is an odd poem to say the least. The author describes beautiful things, like red coral, “roses demasked in red and white,” and delightful perfumes. The author then says how his “mistress” is nothing like what he describes, but the exact opposite. He states “black wires grow from her hair,” and “her eyes are nothing like the sun.” Although it is odd, I can still interpret this as a love poem. After describing her in a very unflattering way, the author states in the last part “and yet, by heaven, I think my love is rare as any she, belied with false compare.” This shows readers that although his mistress is not beautiful, he still loves her the way she is. Which in my opinion is a very important aspect of love and a love poem.

Poetry Analysis: "My Papa's Waltz"

“My Papa’s Waltz,” by Theodore Roethke is about a boy recalling a time with his father. The title makes readers believe this would be a cheerful memory with his father, but it is the exact opposite. In my opinion, the author is recalling a time where his father was abusive towards him. I think the author is really trying to make readers think whether the man and son are actually dancing, or if it is the opposite. The use of lines such as “you beat time on my head with a palm caked hard by dirt,” is a good example that this poem is about abuse. I think if it was supposed to be a cheerful memory, than “whisky on your breathe,” and “my right ear scraped a buckle,” would not have been used to describe the memory. 

Poetry Analysis: "Marks"

While reading “Marks,” by Linda Pastan, I felt extremely sorry for the woman speaking. The woman is a mother and a wife, but is being judged constantly by her family. I liked how Pastan compared the judgements of the woman’s family to grades one would get in school. I think this comparison show readers how the woman is viewed by her family as a student, or possibly a servant, but she fails to impress them. Towards the end of the poem, I felt somewhat hopeful because the daughter tells her mother that she “passes,” and although this could be seen as positive, the mother is still being judged nonetheless. The last line of the poem is the shortest line but it is the most powerful one as well. The mother states she is “dropping out,” from the judgements of her family. 

Poetry Analysis: "From Macbeth"

“From Macbeth (Act V, Scene V),” by William Shakespeare is a time in the play when Macbeth is explaining his view on life. I have read the entire play before, so I have a good idea of how depressed Macbeth is at this point in the play. He sees life as a dark abyss with no meaning and no joy. His opinions of darkness and despair are evident in such lines as “Out, out, brief candle,” and “Life’s but a walking shadow.” By comparing life to a brief candle, Macbeth believes that life is short with little light, or joy. He also believes once the candle is blown out, life will be forgotten and will be “signifying nothing.”

Poetry Analysis: "Mirrors"

“Mirrors,” by Sylvia Plath uses personification as the author is speaking as if she was a mirror. The author is observing a woman who is growing older, from a young woman to a progressing older lady. I love how the story is told using this effect of personification. I think if it was just a woman speaking about herself and her growing old, the poem would not be as strong, or as truthful. The mirror acts as the ultimate truth by reflecting exactly was “she” sees in this woman. I also think this poem could possibly an autobiographical poem, with Plath reflecting on her own life.