Introduction
For the purposes of this assignment, the focus was made on discussing some of my favorite poems that have been discussed so far. Examining the potential list of candidates, the discussion was answered down to just two. Their size and subject matter are sufficient for this this type of analysis. The main thesis throughout this work is that both poems’ use of language and helps them translate the subject matter into an approachable and creative medium.
Daystar
The short poem Daystar, written by Rita Dove, focuses on the subject of family life, motherhood, personal space and identity. It is a piece that manages to acutely understand the spirit of a family woman, and one that is intimately concerned with trying to portray its challenges in a vivid light. The flow of the piece is slightly stilted, placing emphasis on certain words and phrases for better impact. Use of literary word itself is also purposeful, as it works to evoke feelings on empathy. The main point of view character of the poem is a nameless woman who lives with her partner and children (Dove). She desperately wants to find some time for herself, being unable to feel truly free as life saddles her with responsibility. Taking advantage of the free time she finds when the children are asleep, the woman sits on a chair behind the house and absentmindedly thinks.
The last stanza brings the ideas of the work together in a satisfying way, while also presenting the figure of the mother from a new angle. In this piece, the main character is presented as seeking nothingness, a feeling of being regarded as lacking the status and obligations she currently possesses. At its core, the message of this poem is about control and the boxes that society fits people in when they interact with each other. All of the language of the work is evocative, using specific terms and phrases to convey meaning. The application of words like slumped, lurched, pinched all points to a certain feeling of rawness that can be felt throughout the piece.
Dover Beach
Dover beach by Matthew Arnold is a poem that is intimately concerned with the image of the sea. The waves and the waters are depicted as they jump through time, and how its presence has accompanied humankind. The piece smoothly transitions from subject to subject, taking the reader on a mental journey and making understanding the piece more complicated. The viewer can notice that the sea itself is not the only subject that Arnold is discussing, although it is difficult to determine what the central subject of the poem actually is. The sea of faith is mentioned in the near-last stanza of the work. This phrase can be taken figuratively to mean the theological community, and its troubles of finding meaning in life.
The author presents the subject of faith as one that has lost its former brilliance, a legacy of the past that the people of the presents are unable to attain. This comparison is possible by equating religious faith with the flow of water, which may change its course at any point (Arnold). The last paragraph of the piece is a bold declaration of love and intent, one that seeks to transcend the barriers of social courtesy and demand mutual trust from the two individuals. I would say that this poem creates beautiful and mystifying imagery with its word choices, while still being able to create a certain narrative that can be followed.
Conclusion
In closing, it is possible to say that both poems manage to stand on their own two legs utilizing their own narrative styles and gimmicks. They are written in an aesthetically pleasing, engaging style, but reading them felt completely different. The intense personal struggle of a housewife, compared to relatively detached and abstract musings about religion create an interesting contrast, one that emphasizes the variety and flexibility of the written poetry medium.
Works Cited
Arnold, M. undefined. Courier Corporation, 1994.
Dove, R. Conversations with Rita dove. Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2003.