Abstract This paper reviews and critiques the poems "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell, "A Fine, A Private Place" by Diane Ackerman, "A Late Aubade" by Richard Wilbur, "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks, and "Sex Without Love" by Sharon Olds. Specifically, it discusses how all of these poems exhibit the carpe diem philosophy. From dying young to underwater love, all of these poems signify significant moments in time and, according to the paper, show how seizing the day can last a lifetime. The paper also asks how these poems -- one of which was written centuries ago -- relate to our lives in modern times.
From the Paper "Each of these poems, modern or ancient, revolve around single moments in time that create lasting memories. "To His Coy Mistress" is the oldest of the poems, and uses the most archaic language to discuss love and devotion. Marvell writes, "But at my back I always hear / Time's winged chariot hurrying near;" (Marvell 728), which conveys a sense of urgency that "seizing the day" is built around. The initial idea of carpe diem is to live life to the fullest today, because their may not be a tomorrow. So, you must always live each day as if it was your best, and your last. Each of these poets uses that theme to convey their ideas and meanings. For example, the woman who makes love under the sea has those memories to last with her forever. After the experience, she often thinks about that moment in time when she seized the day and it made all the difference. Ackerman writes, "She thought of it miles / and fathoms away, often, / at odd moments; watching / the minnow snowflakes" (Ackerman 734). Seizing the day is living in the moment, but it also remembering and treasuring those wonderful moments, as this poem clearly shows."
Abstract The Latin phrase "carpe diem" is interpreted into English as "to seize the day," and has been utilized as a rallying cry (primarily by those whose youth has fled) to immerse yourself in life before life passes you by. This theme has been at the center of countless poems, stories, plays, novels, essays, and movies and continues to be as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago when it was first coined. In a thorough analysis, one can clearly justify that the poem, "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time," by Robert Herrick is little more than a poetic restatement of carpe diem.
Abstract The author of this paper states that, although he strongly disagrees with the 'carpe diem' theme of Marvell's poem, (he believes it is a disturbing and violent condemnation of the female body), he still finds Marvell's skill as an artist captivating and his poetry both interesting and enjoyable. The paper examines the insecurities of Marvell that can be seen in his poetry and its "carpe diem" theme--which basically says "sleep with me now, before you are old, ugly and, eventually, dead." It also defines and make additions to the text.
From the Paper "Marvell starts his second stanza with a vivid picture: he claims to hear "Time's winged chariot hurrying near." This is a reference to the sun, which was believed in ancient Greece to travel in a chariot across the sky; the sun also marks the passing of each day, which draws additional attention to the leitmotif of time. We can imagine the poet reading to his mistress; he is presumably facing her while time is racing to overtake him from behind-and she can see the oncoming of this onslaught. Humorously opportunistic, the author tells his mistress: "I'm not getting any younger; time's about to run me down; let's take off our clothes and seize the day!""
Abstract This paper looks at how "A & P" by John Updike and "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell are examples of literature which have the function to mobilize or to infuse new ideologies, thoughts, or sentiments that allows individuals to create changes within themselves and the society. It explains that in "A & P," Updike elucidates on the reality of an individual who attempts to stand up for his own opinion and belief despite the opposition that he faces in his society. Similarly Marvell, in his romantic poem, characterizes time as humanity's enemy in allowing people to fully enjoy and experience life, and in the context of his poem, to pursue love as he (the poet) feels it. It concludes that both literary works suggests a sense of urgency to accomplish important plans that the protagonist (of "A & P") and the Voice ("To His Coy Mistress") tried to realize.
From the Paper "In "A & P," readers are acquainted with the character of Sammy, a teenager who works at A & P, and is characterized by Updike as an individual who has no clear ambitions, looks with blatant interest at young women, but is also firm and resolute with his opinion, beliefs, and decisions in life. In effect, Sammy's character has two facets: Sammy as the A & P employee who has simple joys and shallow aspirations in life; and Sammy as the firm and resolute believer for what he perceives as morally upright opinions and sentiments."
Abstract This paper discusses these two poems and suggests that the authors use everyday objects to convey a deeper message. The writer describes how Donne's work uses a flea and its mating habits to reflect on the relationship between a man and a woman. The writer goes on to reflect on Herrick's work, showing how he uses the sun to contemplate nature's beauty and how man ages.
From the Paper "Herrick's "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time," takes on almost an entirely different approach than John Donne's "The Flea." As we've mentioned before, Donne takes a metaphysical, unreal examination to how the flea is related to a union between a man and a woman. On the other hand, Herrick only touches on the very basic and real aspects of life."
Abstract This paper examines how Jorge Luis Borges' famous short story "The Garden of Forking Paths" circles around the subject of time. The paper asserts that Borges writing styles lives in the now. The paper also adds that, although there are references to the past in the story, they do not serve to describe history, but rather to question it. The paper concludes that Borges uses the ideas of living in the moment or "carpe diem" in his writing, as a literary tool, which he uses to contradict the past.
From the Paper "Another technique I noticed in Borges writing is that everything he writes is a rising moment up until the point of the climax. Like I mentioned in the previous paragraph, Borges refuses to give us any back story. Often times however, the back story can be trivial to the story itself, resulting in boredom or useless information that, sometimes, can limit the progress of the story. I am not saying that stories with a past or explanation of history are boring, on the contrary, but, Borges writing style allows him to be able to write in such a way that allows the reader to skip the formalities and move right along to the substance of the story. Upon my reading and analysis of "The Garden of Forking Paths", I perceive that Borges is trying to force us to live in the now, and teach us that the information we are given will be sufficient enough to create, continue, and end a story. Even though the reader still has questions, it is inconsequential to know, because perhaps even if we did, it wouldn't make a difference in the long run."
An analysis of the expressions of the short nature of human existence as portrayed in "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" by Robert Herrick and "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell.
Abstract This paper discusses two poems that are both rhetorical attempts by a man to woo a woman's heart and body - "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" by Robert Herrick and "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell. The paper specifically focuses on the poems' expressions of the deeper truth about the short nature of human existence and the inexorable passage of time.
From the Paper "One wonders what Marvell's mistress responded to him, or what the maidens would have said to Herrick if they knew what he thought of them, when he saw them literally carrying rosebuds, or simply tarrying by the wayside under the care of a guardian. It is possible that they may have regretted their chastity, and wanted to enjoy their sensuality but society forbade them sexuality before marriage. In that case, it is a pity that they did not or could not listen to the poet's words. But it is equally possible that they had different desires, invisible to the poet--to see the world, to live more empowering lives outside of the control of powerful fathers, brothers, and later husbands or lovers. And that is the true sadness of the young women's fates, that they never had a chance to write poetry about their own desire to carpe diem. Even Marvell and Herrick did not carpe diem as much as they would have liked, as human life was shorter, and old age was more painful when they wrote their verse."
Abstract This paper discusses some of the themes in the novel "Bless Me, Ultima," by Rudolfo Anaya. The writer describes several of the important symbols in the novel such as the owl, which symbolizes the power of magic and Antonio's connection with the world of magic and spirituality. The symbolism of the carp and the river are also explained. In addition, the writer describes the inner conflict in Antonio between Catholicism, the religion of his mother, and the polytheistic Llano religion of his father, and explains how his relationship with Ultima, the healer, leads to the resolution of this conflict.
From the Paper "The golden carp is another symbol of spirituality representing wisdom, comfort and moral guidance. Nonetheless, it reinforces the idea that moral percepts are equally valid irrespective of the religion they operate in. In fact, the carp is the symbol of the core of all religions, i.e., the morality of faith. At first, Antonio rejects the carp because he thinks its calling means betraying his own God, i.e. the God of the Catholic faith. In time, Antonio learns hat the carp can actually help him build his own identity, and find answers to his personal questions. In this sense, the carp is much more than a magical fish. It represents moral authority which is capable of providing answers, very much like the power of any religion to comfort and help its followers."
