Monday, November 12, 2007
Ah, Are You Diggin on My Grave, Thomas Hardy
The poem is in narrative form. Thomas Hardy, a short story writer and a very fine poet can incorporate the value of worldly love after death. In Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave, Hardy is unsure who will come and visit after his death. Not quite sure who will, therefore posing the question, "Ah, are you digging on my grave?" Hoping for family or a loved one to visit. Yet, the one creature who comes to the grave is a little dog. "Your little dog, who still lives near, And much I hope my movements here , Have not disturbed your rest?" The dog digs upon the grave to bury a bone and apologizing for not realizing it was a resting spot. "I am sorry, but I quite forgot, It was your resting place". It is always comforting to know that people miss us when we die. But would you want to how loved ones felt after losing you? This is a question, which would help explain the meaning behind Ah, Are You Digging On my Grave?
Dover Beach, Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold Thomas Hardy
The speaker in “Dover Beach” relates that his world used to be filled with and surrounded by faith, like an ocean or the “sea of faith”, but that this sea has receded, and faith has abandoned his world. Meaning that the speaker has lost the religious belief that he had in the past. He tells the woman he is speaking to that they must cling to one another, because all that they have now that faith has abandoned the world is each other. The reader should be able to relate this much of the poem to the novel by comparing the world of the novel with the world of the poem.
Matthew Arnold was the son of Dr Thomas Arnold. During the summer the family's would vaction in the same area as William Wordsworth. The famous poet William Wordsworth and Matthew Arnold became friends. On route to Europe with his new wife, Lucy Wightman was propably when Arnold wrote Dover Beach. This was most likey in June 1851. This poem however was not published until 1867. "It is a poem of maturity reflecting his own felt need to commit himself and his life."Elements of Literature. These poems highlight his realization that love enhances loneliness, a sense of loss, and is a self-imposed prison. "How vain a thing is human love", "The heart can bind itself alone, and "faith may oft be unreturn'd Self-swayed our feelings ebb and swell" are a few examples of this. Why live or love in the past if you can do it everyday of your new life.
The speaker in “Dover Beach” relates that his world used to be filled with and surrounded by faith, like an ocean or the “sea of faith”, but that this sea has receded, and faith has abandoned his world. Meaning that the speaker has lost the religious belief that he had in the past. He tells the woman he is speaking to that they must cling to one another, because all that they have now that faith has abandoned the world is each other. The reader should be able to relate this much of the poem to the novel by comparing the world of the novel with the world of the poem.
Matthew Arnold was the son of Dr Thomas Arnold. During the summer the family's would vaction in the same area as William Wordsworth. The famous poet William Wordsworth and Matthew Arnold became friends. On route to Europe with his new wife, Lucy Wightman was propably when Arnold wrote Dover Beach. This was most likey in June 1851. This poem however was not published until 1867. "It is a poem of maturity reflecting his own felt need to commit himself and his life."Elements of Literature. These poems highlight his realization that love enhances loneliness, a sense of loss, and is a self-imposed prison. "How vain a thing is human love", "The heart can bind itself alone, and "faith may oft be unreturn'd Self-swayed our feelings ebb and swell" are a few examples of this. Why live or love in the past if you can do it everyday of your new life.
Porphyria's Lover, Robert Browning
"Porphyria's Lover," which first appeared in 1836, is one of the earliest and most shocking of Browning's pieces of writing. The speaker in the poem lives in a cottage on the countryside. His lover, a beautiful young woman named Porphyria, comes in out of a storm and proceeds to make a fire and bring a warm feel to the cottage. She embraces the speaker, offering him her bare shoulder. "She put my arm about her waist, and made her smooth white shoulder bare."-line 17. The speaker tells us that he does not say a word to her. The speaker realizes that she "worship" him. "Murmuring how she loved me- she too weak, for all her heart's endeavor"- Line 21. Realizing that she will eventually give in to society's pressures, and wanting to preserve the moment, he wraps her hair around her neck and strangles her. " And strangled her; No pain felt she"- Line 41. After strangling her to death he then toys with her corpse, opening the eyes and propping the body up against his side. He sits with her body this way the entire night, the speaker remarking that God has not yet moved to punish him. "And yet God has not said a word!"-Line 60
Robert Browning was very found of Percy Bysshe Shelley for his writings. Browning was brilliant, undisciplined, and determined to be a poet like Percy Bysshe Shelley. My Last Duchess , and Porphyria 's Lover, open a door to a new way of expressing himself. However, Robert Browning did not have to worry about anything but writing, supported by his parents, he had the time and the availability to write.
Robert Browning was very found of Percy Bysshe Shelley for his writings. Browning was brilliant, undisciplined, and determined to be a poet like Percy Bysshe Shelley. My Last Duchess , and Porphyria 's Lover, open a door to a new way of expressing himself. However, Robert Browning did not have to worry about anything but writing, supported by his parents, he had the time and the availability to write.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Flower in the Crannied Wall
Flower in the crannied wall,
I pluck you out of the crannies,
I hole you here, root and all, in my hand,
Little flower-but if I could understand
What you are, root and all, and all in all,
I should know what God and man is.
The longest belief known to man is God created Earth, man, and animal. Everything that breathes, moves or thinks, was created by this one all knowing power. Nothing on this Earth was made without a design. Tennyson adressed philiophical issues and offered many ways of resolving them. "And yet to some nineteenth centry artists and believers, modern science's scrutiny of nature was a threat."- Elements of Literature
Flower in the crannied wall,
I pluck you out of the crannies,
I hole you here, root and all, in my hand,
Little flower-but if I could understand
What you are, root and all, and all in all,
I should know what God and man is.
The longest belief known to man is God created Earth, man, and animal. Everything that breathes, moves or thinks, was created by this one all knowing power. Nothing on this Earth was made without a design. Tennyson adressed philiophical issues and offered many ways of resolving them. "And yet to some nineteenth centry artists and believers, modern science's scrutiny of nature was a threat."- Elements of Literature
Thursday, November 8, 2007
The Victorian Era
The biggest news buzzing around Europe during the Victorian Era was the crowning of the new queen. Receiving her title in June of 1837 and proudly ruling until her death in 1901. The Victorian Era was named for the time period of Queen Victoria’s reign. Only 18 when she came to the throne, Victoria oversaw England at the height of its overseas power. Through hard work and dedication to her country.The British Empire was established in her reign, and it reached its peak under her power. The government was set up of a constitutional monarch headed by Queen Victoria. Only the royalty could rule. Other politicians came from the aristocracy. The system was criticized by many as being in favor of the upper classes, and during the late 18th century, philosophers and writers began to question the social status of the nobility.
In 1888, the serial killer known as Jack the Ripper murdered and mutilated five know prostitutes from the streets of London. During this time many women could have been murdered and no one even known about it. This murderer won himself a world-wide press coverage and mass hysteria. Newspapers used the deaths to bring greater focus on the plea of the unemployed and to attack police and political leaders. The killer was never caught, and the affair contributed to Sir Charles Warren's resignation.
Before the Industrial Revolution, Britain had a very rigid social structure consisting of three distinct classes; the Church and aristocracy, the middle class, and the working class. Within the top call were the Church and nobility. This class had the power and the wealth. Only two percent of the population is in this class. The middle class or bourgeoisie was made up of factory owners, bankers, shopkeepers, merchants, lawyers, engineers, businessmen, traders, and other professionals. These people could be sometimes extremely rich, but in normal circumstances they were not privileged, and they especially resented this. The British lower class was divided into two sections, the working class and the poor. Both the poor class and the middle class had to endure a large burden of tax. This third class consisted of about eighty-five percent of the population.
Industrialisation changed the class structure dramatically in the late 18th century. This was one of the most radical changes from the Romantic Period to the Victorian Era. Industrialisation helped create hostile feelings between the upper and lower classes. As a result of factories and industry taking over ended the beautiful way of life. Prior to the boom in industry, life was less complicating. Society was and will always have something to do with money and status for some people. However, any poem/letter I have read in the Romantic Period was filled to the brim with love and imagination and heart. Nature and human coinciding were largely part of the Romantic period rather than the Victorian Era.
In 1888, the serial killer known as Jack the Ripper murdered and mutilated five know prostitutes from the streets of London. During this time many women could have been murdered and no one even known about it. This murderer won himself a world-wide press coverage and mass hysteria. Newspapers used the deaths to bring greater focus on the plea of the unemployed and to attack police and political leaders. The killer was never caught, and the affair contributed to Sir Charles Warren's resignation.
Before the Industrial Revolution, Britain had a very rigid social structure consisting of three distinct classes; the Church and aristocracy, the middle class, and the working class. Within the top call were the Church and nobility. This class had the power and the wealth. Only two percent of the population is in this class. The middle class or bourgeoisie was made up of factory owners, bankers, shopkeepers, merchants, lawyers, engineers, businessmen, traders, and other professionals. These people could be sometimes extremely rich, but in normal circumstances they were not privileged, and they especially resented this. The British lower class was divided into two sections, the working class and the poor. Both the poor class and the middle class had to endure a large burden of tax. This third class consisted of about eighty-five percent of the population.
Industrialisation changed the class structure dramatically in the late 18th century. This was one of the most radical changes from the Romantic Period to the Victorian Era. Industrialisation helped create hostile feelings between the upper and lower classes. As a result of factories and industry taking over ended the beautiful way of life. Prior to the boom in industry, life was less complicating. Society was and will always have something to do with money and status for some people. However, any poem/letter I have read in the Romantic Period was filled to the brim with love and imagination and heart. Nature and human coinciding were largely part of the Romantic period rather than the Victorian Era.
Multiple times through out the Victorian Period numerous people constantly found themselves questioning and raising doubts. Victorian composers would question whet er if material would satisfy human needs and wants. Within the beginning of the Victorian period some writers "complained that materialist ideas of reality, completely overlooked the spirit or soul that made life beautiful and just."-Elements of Literature. The start of the Victorian period began the "Acre in Middlesex". Historian Thomas Babington Macaulay voiced his opinion of improving society both morally and materially. Romantic writers were more about living in the moment and living life to the fullest. However, the Victorian writers were more conservative. Sex or anything along that nature were not put into exact words. Society as a whole became literate, due to schools and regulations becoming part of everyday life.
La Belle Dame Sans Merci, John Keats
"La Belle Dame Sans Merci" means "the beautiful woman without mercy." This is the title of one of Keats many solid poems. In this poem, the poet meets a knight by a woodland lake in late autumn. However, the knight did not respond. The only form of respone the poet recieved was a rambling story of one beautiful woman. The knight had been there for a long time, and is evidently dying from a "fever dew" which is the sweat of sickness from turboucious. The knight proceedes to say he "met a lady in the meads"; in the meadow. This mystery woman was describe as beautiful, and wild-looking.
To show how he felt for her, the knight showdered the beautiful woman with flowers. Yet, she did not speak, but looked and sighed as if she loved him. She spoke a language he could not understand, but he was confident she said she loved him. Sitting her apon his horse to ride, the knight walked along side, gazing at the woman he loves. He saw nothing but her, because she leaned over him and sang a mysterious song. He kissed her to sleep, and fell asleep along side her.
That night, he dreamt of host of kings, princes, and warriors, all pale as death. They shouted a terrible warning,they were the woman's slaves. And now he was her slave, too. Awakening, the woman was gone, and the knight was left on the cold hillside. Alone and dying. However, one could say they would take the one moment of pure love over a lifetime of none.
"Sidelong" means sideways. A "fragrant zone" is a flower belt. "Elfin" means "pertaining to the elves", or the fairy world. A "grot" is of course a grotto. "Betide" means "happen", and "woe betide" is a more romantical version of the contemporary expression "---- happens". "Gloam" means gloom. A "thrall" is an abject slave.
To show how he felt for her, the knight showdered the beautiful woman with flowers. Yet, she did not speak, but looked and sighed as if she loved him. She spoke a language he could not understand, but he was confident she said she loved him. Sitting her apon his horse to ride, the knight walked along side, gazing at the woman he loves. He saw nothing but her, because she leaned over him and sang a mysterious song. He kissed her to sleep, and fell asleep along side her.
That night, he dreamt of host of kings, princes, and warriors, all pale as death. They shouted a terrible warning,they were the woman's slaves. And now he was her slave, too. Awakening, the woman was gone, and the knight was left on the cold hillside. Alone and dying. However, one could say they would take the one moment of pure love over a lifetime of none.
"Sidelong" means sideways. A "fragrant zone" is a flower belt. "Elfin" means "pertaining to the elves", or the fairy world. A "grot" is of course a grotto. "Betide" means "happen", and "woe betide" is a more romantical version of the contemporary expression "---- happens". "Gloam" means gloom. A "thrall" is an abject slave.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Ode to the West Wind, Percy Bysshe Shelley
Beginning with Autumn, "O wild west wind, thou breath of Autumn' s being", flowing through winter, "The winged seeds, where they lie cold and low", and ending with spring, "Thine azure sister of the spring shall blow." Reviewing the seasons through out the first canto symbolizing death and rebirth.The circle of life. The author of this poem, Percy Bysshe Shelly, was grieving the death of his three year old son while writing this poem. Running through the seasons of earth can related to going through the seasons of life. And the love of nature can provide a healing process.
The second canto describes an enormous storm on the verge. "Loose clouds like earth's decaying leaves are shed", the clouds look as if they were leaves falling from a tree during fall. The storm is figuratively his life after the lost of a loved one. For his son was not to wake again, "Thou who didst waken from his dreams". However his son is said to be in a beautiful place, "And saw in sleep old palaces and towers".
And Spring yet again appears. The rebirth of the Earth, of Mankind. Percy Shelly saw Spring as a rebirth for himself. He enacted his life with nature. "Make me thy lyre, even as the forest is". A lyre is a stringed instrument; an instrument can spead music; such as spreading the happiness for life. Speading the thoughts of death "over the of universe" like "withered leaves" to "quicken a new birth!" Shelly personifaction with nature and humans. This form of writing was common during the Romantic era.
Shelley closed his poem,"The trumpet of a prophecy! O, Wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?" Winter may come but spring will follow.
Ashes and sparks , my words among man kind! "if winter comes, spring be far behind.
The second canto describes an enormous storm on the verge. "Loose clouds like earth's decaying leaves are shed", the clouds look as if they were leaves falling from a tree during fall. The storm is figuratively his life after the lost of a loved one. For his son was not to wake again, "Thou who didst waken from his dreams". However his son is said to be in a beautiful place, "And saw in sleep old palaces and towers".
And Spring yet again appears. The rebirth of the Earth, of Mankind. Percy Shelly saw Spring as a rebirth for himself. He enacted his life with nature. "Make me thy lyre, even as the forest is". A lyre is a stringed instrument; an instrument can spead music; such as spreading the happiness for life. Speading the thoughts of death "over the of universe" like "withered leaves" to "quicken a new birth!" Shelly personifaction with nature and humans. This form of writing was common during the Romantic era.
Shelley closed his poem,"The trumpet of a prophecy! O, Wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?" Winter may come but spring will follow.
Ashes and sparks , my words among man kind! "if winter comes, spring be far behind.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
A Letter To the Hon, Augusta Byron
TO THE HON. AUGUSTA BYRON Southwell, March 26th, 1804
I received your affectionate letter, my ever Dear Sister, yesterday and I now hasten to comply with your injunction by answering it as soon as possible . . .
I am as you may imagine a little dull here; not being on terms of intimacy with Lord Grey I avoid Newstead, and my resources of amusement are Books, and writing to my Augusta, which wherever I am, will always constitute my Greatest pleasure. I am not reconciled to Lord Grey, and I never will. He was once my Greatest Friend, my reasons for ceasing that Friendship are such as I cannot explain, not even to you, my Dear Sister, (although were they to be made known to any body, you would be the first,) but they will ever remain hidden in my own breast.
They are Good ones, however, for although I am violent I am not capricious in my attachments. My mother disapproves of my quarrelling with him, but if she knew the cause (which she never will know,) She would reproach me no more. He Has forfeited all title to my esteem, but I hold him in too much contempt ever to hate him . . .
George Gordon, also known as Lord Byron, wrote many letters to people in his life at the time. His letters illustrate a form of communication before phones and technology. The concept of corresponding was the exlcusive way of communicating during the Romantic period. Therefore many brillant writers emerged in this time. The letter I chose to review, was a letter from Lord Byron to his sister, Augusta Byron. March 26th 1804, was the date, Southwell was the location. Writing letters was the only opition for Byron. Hence writing letters to his "dearest sister" was an imporant part of his life; and was also his greatest form of enjoyment. Briefly, Byron exlpains his curious lost of friendship with Lord Grey; but does not go into any detail about the sitution. "Not being on terms of intimacy with Lord Grey I avoid Newstead, and my resources of amusement are Books, and writing to my Augusta, which wherever I am, will always constitute my Greatest pleasure". Byron exclaims "my reasons for ceasing that Friendship are such as I cannot explain, not even to you". Although, if he were to tell anyone it would be his sister; Lord Bryon insures her. However, later explains, "My mother disapproves of my quarrelling with him, but if she knew the cause (which she never will know,) She would reproach me no more." This news only brings a source of multiple questions. What happened between Lord Bryon and Lord Grey? Bryon, describes himself as "violent" however "not capricious in his attachments". He does not have a likely of changing frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly. Therefore something horrific happened to end their friendship forever. "He Has forfeited all title to my esteem, but I hold him in too much contempt ever to hate him . . . " Closing his letter with sharing his feelings toward Lord Grey; Lord Byron has no respect for his formal friend, Lord Grey. Having no urge to even waste another thought on him.
I received your affectionate letter, my ever Dear Sister, yesterday and I now hasten to comply with your injunction by answering it as soon as possible . . .
I am as you may imagine a little dull here; not being on terms of intimacy with Lord Grey I avoid Newstead, and my resources of amusement are Books, and writing to my Augusta, which wherever I am, will always constitute my Greatest pleasure. I am not reconciled to Lord Grey, and I never will. He was once my Greatest Friend, my reasons for ceasing that Friendship are such as I cannot explain, not even to you, my Dear Sister, (although were they to be made known to any body, you would be the first,) but they will ever remain hidden in my own breast.
They are Good ones, however, for although I am violent I am not capricious in my attachments. My mother disapproves of my quarrelling with him, but if she knew the cause (which she never will know,) She would reproach me no more. He Has forfeited all title to my esteem, but I hold him in too much contempt ever to hate him . . .
George Gordon, also known as Lord Byron, wrote many letters to people in his life at the time. His letters illustrate a form of communication before phones and technology. The concept of corresponding was the exlcusive way of communicating during the Romantic period. Therefore many brillant writers emerged in this time. The letter I chose to review, was a letter from Lord Byron to his sister, Augusta Byron. March 26th 1804, was the date, Southwell was the location. Writing letters was the only opition for Byron. Hence writing letters to his "dearest sister" was an imporant part of his life; and was also his greatest form of enjoyment. Briefly, Byron exlpains his curious lost of friendship with Lord Grey; but does not go into any detail about the sitution. "Not being on terms of intimacy with Lord Grey I avoid Newstead, and my resources of amusement are Books, and writing to my Augusta, which wherever I am, will always constitute my Greatest pleasure". Byron exclaims "my reasons for ceasing that Friendship are such as I cannot explain, not even to you". Although, if he were to tell anyone it would be his sister; Lord Bryon insures her. However, later explains, "My mother disapproves of my quarrelling with him, but if she knew the cause (which she never will know,) She would reproach me no more." This news only brings a source of multiple questions. What happened between Lord Bryon and Lord Grey? Bryon, describes himself as "violent" however "not capricious in his attachments". He does not have a likely of changing frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly. Therefore something horrific happened to end their friendship forever. "He Has forfeited all title to my esteem, but I hold him in too much contempt ever to hate him . . . " Closing his letter with sharing his feelings toward Lord Grey; Lord Byron has no respect for his formal friend, Lord Grey. Having no urge to even waste another thought on him.
Monday, November 5, 2007
I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud, William Wordsworth
Within the first words of I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud, William Wordsworth, describes wandering above as if a cloud which is floating above hills and valleys. Where he encountered a lake with a field of daffodils. "I wandered lonely as a cloud, that floats on high o'er vales and hills,When all at once I saw... golden daffodils." The speaker explains the poet could not help but be happy in such a joyful company of flowers in this moment of ecasty.
The speaker is metaphorically compared to a natural object, a cloud. "I wandered lonely as a cloud... That floats on high...", and the daffodils are repeatedly personified as human beings, dancing and "tossing their heads" in "a crowd, a host." This technique helped to describe the bond between man and nature. "They flash upon that inward eye", his memory; "which is the bliss of solitude", his memory coming forth when he is bored, alone, or restless. "And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils." Happiness is found through thought and nature. Nature and people are connected. This was a largely practice concept through the Romantic Period. People were one with nature, and enjoyed to personify themsevles as elements in nature.
I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud, William Wordsworth, gave a simple example of nature and humans combinding; making it famous through centuries. Everyone can find some form of peace with nature, Wordsworth just tried to explain how to do it.
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