Poetry Analysis: "A Man Said to the Universe"

“A Man Said to the Universe,” by Stephen Crane is a very short poem but at the same time a very powerful poem. A man is crying to the universe that he “exists,” and the universe replies with no emotion. I believe this poem can be interpreted in two different ways. First, I can see it fit if that the poet was depressed while writing this poem. He feels alone and is crying out, only to be answered with no help. I can also interpret this poem as a religious piece of work. The narrator might possibly be reaching out to a higher power, all but to be let down with absence.

Poetry Analysis: "Acquainted with the Night"

“Acquainted with the Night,” by Robert Frost is a very personal poem, I believe. I can picture Frost walking through a desolate place, observing his surroundings. I related to this poem one hundred percent because I have found myself in the exact same atmosphere. I think the poem can be taken literally because Frost describes his surroundings to a tee, which could make readers relate. Although, I also think the poem should be read figuratively. Possibly Frost is trying to express a feeling of loneliness because he is by himself in the duration of the poem. He is only accompanied by the rain and the watchman, who he does not talk to. I think this poem was written in a time of loneliness and depression in Frost’s life.

Poetry Analysis: "Those Winter Sundays"

“Those Winter Sundays,” by Robert Hayden created a very sad and lonely tone for me. The speaker is looking back on Winter Sundays, where his father would wake up early to make a fire for his family. Certain lines from the poem have me think the father might have been a very strict and harsh father, but obviously he was very caring as well. The speaker is regretting not giving more thanks to all his father did for his family. I am using “he” as a universal world, because the speaker could have very much been a woman, although I picture a man thinking about his father in this way.

Poetry Analysis: "Mountain Graveyard"

When first reading “Mountain Graveyard,” by Robert Morgan, I definitely saw how each word related to the word beside it when dealing with a graveyard. After reading more about it, I realized that the first words were an anagram for the second, and vice versa. I am so impressed how creative Morgan is, not only with the anagrams, but with how descriptive he was in painting a picture of a mountain graveyard with only using 12 words. My favorite anagrams were “sacred” and “cedars,” because for me they gave me a clear picture of a graveyard. I imagine a desolate cemetery that has not been cared for, with huge cedars towering over it. These cedars are sacred because they are protecting the ones who have died.

Poetry Analysis: "l(a"

When I first read “l(a,” by E. E. Cummings, I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. After looking at it a little closer, I realized that outside of the parenthesis was “loneliness” and inside the parenthesis was “a leaf falls.” Obviously, the leaf falling is a symbol of loneliness, and I am curious if Cummings was writing this poem comparing him to the leaf. I do not fully understand his technique of breaking the words up in that way he did, but I believe he possibly wanted the readers to really concentrate on what the poem said, instead of simply saying: “a leaf falls, loneliness.”

Poetry Analysis: "The Secretary's Chant"

“The Secretary’s Chant,” by Margie Piercy explains the feeling of dehumanization for women in the workforce. I liked how the poem sounds like a machine is talking because it further expresses a secretary’s feelings of being an object rather than a person. The poem was written in 1936 when many women had secretary or desk jobs, so I am sure many women could relate to it. I liked how Piercy used humor to describe a somewhat depressing time for women. While reading the poem I cannot help but picture this machine woman, and although it is funny, it is also is a symbol for how inappropriate and skewed women’s identities were in the 1930’s. Many were seen as no more than a piece of equipment.

Poetry Analysis: "Titanic"

I really enjoyed “Titanic,” by David R. Slavitt because I have never looked at the Titanic in a positive light. Most people saw it as a horrible tragedy, which it was, but I somewhat agree with Slavitt’s thought process. Most people die and are only remembered by close family and friends. When looking at the Titanic, the victims who died will always be remembered. Maybe not individually, but as a whole the Titanic will most likely never be forgotten. I do not see “Titanic,” as a sarcastic poem, but instead as an optimistic one. Even if Slavitt was trying to be witty and sarcastic, I believe many readers thought he was uplifting and optimistic.

Poetry Analysis: "Diamonds"

“Diamonds,” by Kathryn Stripling Byer takes place in a meadow after a rain. A man is giving a woman a leaf as a sign of his love and commitment in place of a ring because he can not afford one. Instead of a diamond ring on the woman’s finger, the woman licks “diamonds,” or rain drops off the leaf given to her. I really enjoyed this poem because it shows readers that love has no dollar sign. I admire the woman in the story and I believe the woman is Kathryn Stripling Byer.

Poetry Analysis: "Preacher, Don't Send Me"

I believe “Preacher, Don’t Send Me,” by Maya Angelou is about asking the preacher to send the author where she wants to go when she dies. She does not want to go to “Hell,” or “some big ghetto in the sky” (line 3). She also does not want the preacher to promise her after life filled with gold and “milk for free” (line 20), instead she wants to be in a place filled with happiness according to her. Where “ families are loyal” (line 27) and “the music is jazz” (line 29). I believe this is an autobiographical poem of Angelou, dreaming of where she one day hopes to be after life on earth.

Literary Analysis: "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber"

Ernest Hemingway is known for his stories dealing with outdoorsman who consistently have traits of courage and fearlessness. In “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” Hemingway introduces a man who matches those characteristic, Wilson. When first reading the story I figured the manly man and “hero” would be Francis Macomber, but I soon realized that was not the case. Instead, the safari tour guide named Robert Wilson, is the true outdoorsman. Wilson does not fear chasing and hunting lions and has set a name for himself as a womanizer. Macomber shows character traits that are directly opposite to Wilson. Macomber lives in a marriage under the knowledge that his wife is with him for his money as well as cheated on him with Wilson. He also attempts to steer away from the idea of chasing after a lion, and when the lion attacks, Macomber runs away. Hemingway makes it very obvious to readers that these men are complete opposites. 

One aspect I found extremely interesting was Hemingway’s use of hunting as a main theme throughout the story. The entire plot is based around hunting lions in an african safari, but when I looked closer, I realized there are many other examples of the hunter and the hunted. Margot, Macomber’s wife, hunts after Wilson and succeeds when they sleep together. Wilson is an obvious hunter for many things: animals, women, or adventure. Although, one example that is not so obvious is seeing Macomber as a hunter. Throughout the story, Macomber is fighting with himself and searching for his courage. In conclusion, Macomber eventually finds his courage as he has a standoff with water buffalos. I believe this is the most courageous act Macomber has ever done, and he then dies during this act. I think Hemingway did this to further express his opinion of favoring courageous outdoorsman. Possibly, Hemingway believed it was better to die in an act of courage and fearlessness than to live a dull and unadventurous life.

Literary Analysis: "The Cask of Amontillado"

I have always been intrigued by Poe’s stories due to his dark and mysterious plots. “The Cask of Amontillado,” is a terrifying piece of work which explores one mans ultimate plot for revenge. Montresor is a man who seeks a disturbing ending to another man’s life, Fortunato. The fascinating aspect to the story is the reader never completely understand Montresor’s reasoning behind wanting to to kill Fortunato. The fact that the narrator, Montresor, is the only point of view the readers have causes an extremely bias opinion over the events of the story. I believe to completely understand the story, the readers need to have a lot of doubt in Montresor. The narrator never tells the readers of this horrible act or “insult” which Fortunato did, which causes doubt in my mind. At the same time, Montresor choses to take justice in his own hands instead of having the law intercede. I think this is due to the fact that Fortunato’s “insult” would not result in his death if it was taken into the law’s hands, and Montresor can not live with that thought. 

Ultimately, Montresor succeeds in murdering his enemy by trapping him in a cave. He does this so by telling Fortunato that he has a rare Amontillado, a type of alcoholic beverage. Fortunato, apparently a wine expert, insist that he taste this drink which is located in Montresor’s deep vaults. Fortunato is trapped in his vaults and left there to die. The interesting part I found about the story was that Montresor is telling this story 50 years after he committed this crime. My thoughts behind this reason would be possibly because he is starting to feel guilt.

Another interesting aspect to the story is Poe’s use of irony throughout the story. The first, and most prevalent, example would be Fortunato’s name which is Italian for “fortunate.” It is extremely obvious to readers that Fortunato is the least fortunate character in the short story. Another example would be that this violent act all took place during a carnival. An event that is usually expressed with joy and laughter is the scene for murder and revenge. 

Literary Analysis: "Barn Burning"

I had read “Barn Burning,” by William Faulkner while in high school, and as I opened up the pages to begin reading the story once again, there was only one thing I vividly remembered about the short story. The one memory I had was the hatred I felt towards the little boys father, who I would soon be reminded was named Abner Snopes. Snopes’ conscience is completely absent throughout the story. Unfortunately, his lack of conscience and respect for others brings his family down as well, forcing them to move from one town to another. One family member who is constantly struggling with staying loyal to his family or doing what he knows is right is Sartois, “Sarty,” Snopes’ son.

I believe the use of foreshadowing is used at the beginning of the story to introduce Sarty’s feelings against his father’s actions. The justice states “I reckon anybody named for Colonel Sarty in this country can't help but tell the truth, can they?" This foreshadows to readers that the little boy eventually will live up to this name and tell the truth behind his father’s actions. 

There are many symbols used throughout the story, but one which is extremely evident is the symbol of fire. I think fire is used to express Snopes’ emotions, as they are filled with hatred and anger, as well as out of control. Fire also expresses Snopes’ inability to provide for his family. Fire forces the family to move from town to town, and when they are forced to leave town after Mr. Harris’ barn burns down, Snopes can barely build a fire to keep his family warm as they travel to their next destination. Lastly, fire is used as a symbol in the end to show the death of Mr. Snopes. As Mr. Snopes planes to burn the de Spain’s barn, Sarty finally rejects his father’s wishes and tell the de Spains of what his father is about to do. Sarty’s actions lead to Mr. Snopes’ death, as well as no fire and no barn burning.