Birches Many Classic Authors Use

Birches

Many classic authors use their works to showcase their own ideas and views. While the theme of religion is not directly addressed in the Dead by James Joyce the undercurrent is frequently present and identifiable throughout the storyline. His attitude is present by the way the story evolves and they reflect modern points-of-view.

The attitude that is clearly portrayed is that religion often hides a true feeling of male superiority. The dialogue and the scenes in the story indicate that the women of the time in this story believe the pope and the church itself use the religion to try and keep women submissive and that it is wrong to do so.

I know all about the honour of God, Mary Jane, but I think it's not at all honourable for the pope to turn out the women out of the choirs that have slaved there all their lives and put little whipper-snappers of boys over their heads. I suppose it is for the good of the Church if the pope does it. But it's not just, Mary Jane, and it's not right (Joyce)."

The above passage produces the understanding that the author's attitude was one of modern thinking and still reflects the modern thinking of churches today.

Women used to be considered very submissive and believed that their spiritual faith commanded them to be so. However, in more recent history they have been encouraged to take their part as equals in the family as well as in the church. Today there are female preachers throughout the religious world and they lead with all of the enthusiasm and support that their male counterparts do.

For the Dead it is testimony to the attitudes that prevailed at one time and have only recently begun to be lifted. Women were subservient and were even less respected and honored than male children at the time.

When Lionel Trillings pronounced at the 85th birthday party of Robert Frost that Frost was indeed a terrifying poet he probably had no idea the furor it would stir up., however, that statement has gone down in history with the story of Frost's life. One of Frost's poems, Birches clearly illustrates what Trilling may have meant by his off the cuff comment.

What was evident in that statement was Trillings obvious admiration of the ability by Frost to bring a poem to life. Through is work readers were placed at the scene, to feel the emotions and spirit of the author. Birches provides a wonderful, heartfelt trip down memory lane as a boy for Frost, who often appealed to the memories of his readers with his work.

He begins with wondering about the bent limbs of a birch tree and brings the reader to the days when swinging from tree branches was their main concern in life. He then cuts into that memory and discusses ice storms but one can also see it is not just about ice storms but a metaphoric example of the harsh realities of life and adulthood. As people age they become more rigid and less able to "bend" with the wind, which creates a mindset that cannot be changed or appealed to.

When Trilling said that Frost was a terrifying poet he was referring to Frost's ability to capture human fear and love of life within the context of his metaphoric words. Birches draws a blueprint for Frost's ability to create such metaphoric visuals for his readers.

The following passage illustrates adulthood realities as compared to the bending ability of the childhood mind.

But swinging doesn't bend them down to stay.

Ice-storms do that. Often you must have seen them Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning