Poetry Analsys Analysis of Poetry

Poetry Analsys

Analysis of poetry

Grass

In the poem Grass by Carl Sandburg, the poet uses a simple but effective image and metaphor to convey the futility and uselessness of war. Wars result in needless human death and the grass represents the process of nature that relentlessly covers the fallen corpses over time. The grass can be interpreted as a metaphor for the process of death.

The poet also uses images and specific words and phrases to suggest the tone and intention of the poem. The second line of the poem states; "Shovel them under and let me work- -." The word Shovel is harsh and suggests the carelessness with which the dead are buried after a battle. There is also an almost sinister tone to the refrain "let me work." This suggests that nature is relentless in its disposal of the dead -- which in turn reflects on the mindlessness and waste of human life as a result of battles and wars.

The poem does not have a fixed rhyme scheme but is does have a certain rhythm. The rhythm is insistent and sharp and supported by the repetitive effect of words like "work" and the refrain. Repetition is also part of the rhythmic structure of the poem and it is used to good effect in bringing out the meaning of the poem. This can be seen in the repetition of the phrase "pile them high" ( Lines 4 and 5), which harshly and nonchalantly refers to the large number of dead bodies.

The poem also emphasizes that the wars and battles are ongoing and relentless reality in human history. This fact is highlighted by the question; "What place is this? / Where are we now?" ( Lines 9-10). This again serves to stress the main theme of the poem; namely, that human history is also a history of war and battles that result in a seemingly endless number of casualties.

2. What is Frosts message in the Road Not Taken?

The central message that Frost conveys in the Poem the Road Not Taken is that individual choices have to be made in life and that unusual "roads" or directions in life sometimes have to be taken in order to be true to oneself. In essence, the theme of the poem can be related to the question of individual freedom and the courage needed to make choices in life that may go against or contradict the conformist norms and views of others. In other words, the poem is about the need to be an individual and not just be part of the group. We have to make our own decisions in life and not just follow the opinions of others.

This message is conveyed through a number of different poetic techniques. The most obvious of these is the use of metaphor. The road is a metaphor for the search for meaning and individual freedom in life. The road can also be interpreted as a symbol of life's journey.

An important aspect of the meaning of the poem is that the poet emphasizes that there are many different paths and choices in life that one can choose from. In order to convey this, words and images are used very precisely. For example, the word "diverged" in the first line emphasizes the different and often opposing avenues or choices in life. The poem has a flowing and conversational style but is in fact tightly structured with a regular metre.

The poet is also aware of the fact that life choices are never easy. He uses images to convey this view. The image of the "undergrowth" in line five is indicative of the view that life's journey can be complicated and difficult and that the path or road ahead can be obscure and difficult to navigate at times.

Among the many other literary devices used in the poem is alliteration. Alliteration is used to add to the central meaning of the poem and in line three, for example, the alliteration " wanted wear" is intended to stress that it is important to take the route or road less traveled and not simply to follow the conventional choice. In the final line of the poem, the poet clearly states that taking an unusual and alternative route in life l has "made all the difference."

3. 'Shall I Compare Thee to a Summers Day' and Howard Moss' ironic takeoff.

This famous sonnet is in fact an extended metaphor. The poet compares his love to a summer's day. A central poetic device used in the poem is a form of wit known as a "conceit." This is where seemingly extravagant and exaggerated claims or views are espoused, which the poet justifies by poetic reason and logic. Although this is a device usually associated with the Metaphysical poets, it can also be applied to this sonnet. The intention of the sonnet is to praise love and suggest that love, like art, is eternal.

The sonnet is structured in quatrains. Each quatrain adds to and comments on the previous one and extends the meaning of the poem. For example, the first quatrain refers to the basic conceit of the poem, which is to compare the person he loves with nature and the brilliance of a summers' day. Throughout, the comparison is in favour of the beauty and eternal qualities of his love. While nature and day are subject to rough winds ( line 3 ) yet his lover and their love are not affected by any defects or chance occurrences. This comparison is extended into the other quatrains.

In the third quatrain the focus is on the eternal quality of the beloved. The protagonist in the poem uses metaphor in the comparison of his love to summer. He states that, "…thy eternal Summer shall not fade"( line 9), which clearly implies that the beauty of his beloved is eternal.