Gratitude in Poetry

Paper Summary:

In this paper the author reviews the gratitude expressed in D.H. Lawrence's poem "Piano", Anne Bradstreet's poem "To My Dear and Loving Husband," and Toni Morrison's writing "Nobel Prize Speech." He highlights how the dictionary definition of gratitude as meaning thankfulness is not enough to justify the depth of the word. But, in poetry the word gratitude, becomes much more. The author describes how, in each poem the gratitude expressed can relate to the whole story and life of a person. One of the examples he gives is D.H. Lawrence's poem "Piano", which he describes as a nostalgic view of the gratitude Lawrence has for his mother's relationship. The author also relates to the other poems and their more deep meaning of gratitude which is expressed. In conclusion he reiterates that the dictionary meaning of gratitude is not enough, especially in poetry, as there is much more to the word.

From the Paper:

"At first glance, Bradstreet's poem looks only like a love song; it does not outwardly thank anybody. However, a closer reading reveals not only its theme of gratitude, but also the notion that viewing the poem under the guise of its first appearance oversimplifies the poem and hides its complexity. Indeed, "To My Dear and Loving Husband" is written in rhymed couplets and is a mere 12 lines long. Nevertheless, it is clearly an illustration of the Puritan belief that wealth is a measurement of blessing (Ryken 20). Specifically, Bradstreet says, "Love is greater "than whole mines of gold/ Or all the riches that the East doth hold" (lines 5-6), thereby acknowledging that her greatest wealth is love."

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