Abstract This paper contends that Housman seems to be presenting a very simple, and maybe even simplistic view, of the merits of dying in one's prime. The author points out that Housman ends his exultation on the sorrows of prowess forgotten with the reassurance that this athlete will be greeted by crowds of the "strengthless dead", who will appreciate his athletic ability in the afterlife. The paper relates that many legends, myths, and even religious texts are based on the strange parallels between victory and death and on the child that dies young and, therefore, never grows up.
From the Paper "This stanza is worth pausing on for a moment because of its important metaphorical content. One notices that at first read it could be taken as almost a repeat of the previous stanza. The boy is brought home on cheering shoulders in stanza one, and then again he is brought home "shoulder high" in stanza two. Only the title of the poem gives the reader pause. Then, reading on, it is certain that this second stanza refers not to a victory, but to a funeral procession."
Abstract This paper contends that because sports or athletics is such a personal endeavor, many authors have used this topic as a foundation to write about other topics. At first reading this poem, it may appear that the sporting event is the primary theme. However, upon reviewing the literature, it is recognized that there are underlying ideas that are much more meaningful that relate to human emotions, thoughts or behavior. The paper presents and discusses the poem "To an Athlete Dying Young," by A.E. Housman claiming that it offers a prime example of this. The paper explains the although a primary read through of the piece makes it appear as a simple poem on a runner's life and death, on further perusal it is clearly recognized that Housman uses his literary form to pose the lifelong question: Is it better to have lived a short and noteworthy life than one that is longer and status quo?
From the Paper "At first reading, the poem, told from the point of view of a friend who is one of the pallbearers, is primarily about a young runner who dies in his prime. As anyone who has gone through high school knows, the sports star or letterman is one of the biggest men (women do not usually get this same notoriety) on campus. If someone has led the school to victory in a major sport such as football, track or basketball, he will be well known throughout the community, talked about by all the sports fans and adored by many of the co-eds. He is, as noted in the poem, "carried of the shoulders of his friends after a winning race" and cheered and saluted. In many cases, the athlete's grades and other extracurricular activities do not have to be that great. He has already proven himself in this other arena."
Abstract A paper examining how authors choose to express their feelings of love in poetic form. A look at Robert Browning's "Porphyria' s Lover", Housman's "When I Was One" and Twenty" and Thomas Hardy's "Neutral Tones".
From the Paper "For hundreds of years, people have used poetry to express their attitudes towards something or someone. In these centuries, the most common use for poetry is to express feelings of love. Through poetry, a person can say so much more than trying to verbally express his or her feelings. Also, this person's identity does not need to be known if a nervousness is present about telling that "special someone" these feelings. This person may write an original poem if he or she feels able to do so, or, as others would chose to do, it is common to have another person write a poem that best conveys the feelings of one towards another. Poems may have changed their styles over the course of these generations, but the basic "love poetry" still remains, charming the hearts of millions of people. Along with love poems are the "break-up" poems that people dread receiving. The poems ?Porphyria's Lover,? ?When I was One and Twenty,? and "Neutral Tones" each convey this idea. "
Abstract This paper looks at how three authors use love in different poems, including Robert Browning's ?Porphyria's Lover,? A. E. Housman's ?When I Was One and Twenty,? and Thomas Hardy's ?Neutral Tones.?
From the Paper "For hundreds of years, people have used poetry to express their attitudes towards something or someone. In these centuries, the most common use for poetry is to express feelings of love. Through poetry, a person can say so much more than trying to verbally express his or her feelings. Also, this person's identity does not need to be known if a nervousness is present about telling that "special someone" these feelings. This person may write an original poem if he or she feels able to do so, or, as others would chose to do, it is common to have another person write a poem that best conveys the feelings of one towards another. Poems may have changed their styles over the course of these generations, but the basic "love poetry" still remains, charming the hearts of millions of people. Along with love poems are the "break-up" poems that people dread receiving. The poems ?Porphyria's Lover,? ?When I was One and Twenty,? and "Neutral Tones" each convey this idea."
Abstract In this article, the writer uses the characters or speakers from different literature to demonstrate the lessons learned by maturing youth. In this study, the writer refers to the books "A&P" by John Updike, "The Lesson" by Toni Cade Bambara, "When I was One and Twenty" by A. E. Housman, and "In Just" by E. E. Cummings.
From the Paper "The speakers or characters in the works of Updike, Bambara Housman and Cummings experience a maturation process or share light on one already experienced. In so doing, these characters and speakers seem to imply that the maturation process has a particular impact on individual development. If the examples in "A&P", "The Lesson", "When I was One and Twenty" and "In Just" seem to reveal that the biggest lessons learned revolve around authority, identity, love and wisdom. In "A&P" Sammy matures through his ... "
Tags: love, identity, knowledge, racism, poverty, John Updike, Toni Cade Bambara, A. E. Housman, E. E. Cummings
Abstract In this paper, two short stories are provided whose theme is the nature of love. The paper looks at Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" and Hemingway's "The Cat in the Rain."
From the Paper "The story of Emily Grierson is a tragic one. Born to a family who held themselves a little too high for what they really were, Miss Emily has always been subject to the will of her father, Faulkner. Left penniless and alone after the death of her father, jilted by her betrothed, Miss Emily takes refuge in her home that becomes a source of mystery and intrigue to the townsfolk."
Tags: affection, nurturing, weather, control, rejection, homicide, appearance, marriage, A. E. Housman, youth
