A look at how the use of humor and poetry transforms an otherwise miserable childhood in "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt and "The Liars? Club" by Mary Karr.
894 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 2 sources, 2002, $ 31.95
Abstract The paper discusses two memoirs of childhood, "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt, set in Ireland, and "The Liar's Club" by Mary Karr about a girl's childhood in East Texas. The paper shows how these two memoirs share many commonelements-- poetry, savage humor, great emotional pain, bad weather, the wonder of books, the joys and terrors of sex, and ultimately, the redemptive power of love. Above all, it shows that it is the humor that renders the unbearable both readable and even inspiring.
From the Paper "Liars? Club opens with a singularity rather than a mythic overview: ?My sharpest memory is of a single instant surrounded by dark.? That frozen instant only unfolds over time?"it took three decades"to unfreeze??so that we realize that seven-year-old Mary, nicknamed Pokey, has been raped by a neighbor and at that moment is being examined by the family doctor. And yet the details of this girl's upbringing in a swampy Texas town (which, like Ireland, is beset with hurricanes and bad weather), with a drinking, lying, fabulating, mad, loving family also takes on a quality of the mythic, and achieves its power through humor and poetry."
This paper analyzes the structure as well as the predominant themes of death and despair that are clearly evident in both "The Voice" by Thomas Hardy and "The Widow's Lament in Springtime" penned by W.C. Williams.
1,525 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 0 sources, 2006, $ 50.95
Abstract The writer of this paper examines the underlying theme of death in both works of poetry. In "The Voice" poet Thomas Hardy questions the reality of the voice he's hearing by questioning if ,it is in fact the wind, and not his recently deceased wife. In his poem, Hardy believes his wife is still with him as she speaks to him in whispers of breeze. The poem "The Widow's Lament in Springtime" by William Carlos Williams is full of metaphorical content. From the beginning of the poem Williams describes the extent of grief which is felt by the widow as she finds memories of her life with her husband and cannot bear to gaze upon them. This paper also clearly details the structure of both poems.
From the Paper "Now, in this stanza Hardy introduces his second thoughts about the voice actually being the voice of his wife. He wonders if it is just the breeze, and a lazy breeze at that, which just seems to catch his attention as it floated past him. In the last two stanzas, Hardy describes the abandonment of his wife if it is the breeze. He describes that if he only hears the wind, then his wife has been cast into a realm where she will never be heard again. Therefore, these stanzas describe the other side of Hardy. He has created an elaborate poem in which his wife is remembered through her whispers to him. Then in this stanza he comes out and says that is could just be the wind. This sets him up to conclude his poem."
This paper discusses elements of poetry in three different poems: Alberto Rios' "Seniors", Edgar Allan Poe's "The Haunted Palace" and Tato LaViera's "American".
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 1 source, 2006, $ 26.95
Abstract This paper examines a few outstanding poetic elements which three prominent American poets have used to convey the messages they wish to impart to readers. Along the way the paper notes how each poem, while undeniably great nonetheless, uses different tools to become so. The paper is also quick to note how the best poetry, using the work of Tato LaViera as one example, is able to use common place literary devices like repetition in ways that make predictability agreeable.
From the Paper "Great poetry uses certain techniques in much the same way great fiction uses literary techniques to craft a story or draw a character. This paper will briefly examine three poems - Alberto Rios' "Seniors", Edgar Allan Poe's "The Haunted Palace", and Tato LaViera's "American" - and discuss the dominant poetic elements which animate each. In the end, what should become clear is that there are many different ways of producing memorable poetry in the modern age, and each of these authors does an expert job of finding what is needed to convey the message they wish convey. In Alberto Rios' "Seniors", the reader is confronted with the clever use of both middle and informal diction."
Abstract This paper looks at the topics of fear and death as presented in Poe's literature and poetry. It examines how these issues are symbolic of events that occurred in Poe's life and how they are a common thread throughout most of his work.
From the Paper "To conclude, Edgar Allan Poe's life was one that seemed to be filled with an unusual amount of death and fear. His personal experiences point to the fact that what we live often seeps through in to our art. Poe's literature is filled with death in various forms. Revenge and madness motivate some of his characters, while others are tortured mercilessly. Death and fear are frightful things for most of us, and many of Poe's characters experience fear of death in unusual measures. These factors make for fantastical stories of suspense and terror."
Abstract The following paper concentrates on the variety of ways Emily Dickinson's expresses her thoughts and feelings about death in her poetry. One central focus of the analysis is to point out Dickinson's originality and creativity emerging from a gloomy topic. It looks at how Dickinson does not only reflect on death, she presents the intrepid self experimenting with the idea of its own cessation. The paper also provides short comments on some stylistic devices in order to clarify the interdependence between Dickinson's ideas and her use of language.
Outline:
Introduction
Death Understood as Eternal Sleep
Between Life and Death: Death from the Perspective of the Dying
Death as Emphasis on Love
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "Emily Dickinson is recognized today as one of America's greatest poets. Her reputation rests partly on a body of poems that forcefully portray death. Dickinson's death-poetry is marked by both the poet's enthusiasm and her willpower to face, grasp, and describe the circumstances of dying instead of evading the dreadful theme that often eludes language. Moreover, exploring the theme of death from various viewpoints, Dickinson appears to transcend a boundary that is impossible to penetrate in reality. Notwithstanding, she managed to remain the observer and recorder of her considerations and emotions."
Tags: Descartes, catharsis, purification, philosophy, metaphors, life, love
Abstract Emily Dickinson's approach to the concept of death is haunting, for it provides us with a unique point of view. Her poetry is extremely personal and allows us to discern much from a psychoanalytic perspective. The paper shows that Dickinson's attempts to come to terms with her own death illustrate her courage and curiosity. Although she never "solves" the mystery of death, her observations are astute, and her attempts to grasp such a solemn subject demonstrate her seriousness as a thinker and a poet. The paper shows that Dickinson's obsession with death led her to write powerful poetry that not only attempts to solve life's greatest mysteries, but also gives us insight into her character. The paper uses several of Dickinson's poems as references.
From the Paper "In the poem, ?I Felt a Funeral in My Brain,? Dickinson also explores the possibility of an afterlife. The analogy is the obvious funeral in her brain and the funeral service itself. This is quite an unusual poem because it is written after her death has occurred and her body is placed in the coffin. This is an excellent example of Dickinson delving into the world of possibility. She is able to confront the anxiety she has toward death by imagining herself dead, yet conscious. This mood of this poem is macabre in that it represents a type of desperation that cannot be avoided. That consciousness is a possibility after death, is quite a unique approach that obviously helps Dickinson face her fears about death, though not so pleasantly. Indeed, Dickinson may bring herself face to face with the solitary nothingness of life after death, but the act in and of itself is no reward."
Tags: Because, I, Could, Not, Stop, for, Death, macabre
Abstract An analysis of Walt Whitman's poetry comparing and contrasting his views of death in "Song of Myself" and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd". The author discusses the overall philosophy embodied in Whitman's poetry and his evolution during the ten years between writing the poems.
From the Paper "The task of comparing and contrasting Walt Whitman's views of death in "Song of Myself" and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom"d? not only reveals much about the overall philosophy embodied in Whitman's poetry, but also shows how he grew and changed during the years between the two poems. First published in 1855, early in his career, the poem "Song of Myself" was like a manifesto, or statement of the poet's deepest beliefs. This is who I am, he is saying, and this is what I will be writing my poetry about. The poem as a whole covers most of the major themes which will be the subjects of his later poems. Death is just one of the many themes Whitman addressed in this poem, but it is an extremely significant theme because it helps the reader put his other ideas into perspective."
Abstract The certainty of death causes many people to feel many types of emotions and to ask some of the most probing questions we will ever encounter. William Cullen Bryant, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, and Edgar Allan Poe give us very different interpretations of death and how it relates to life. This paper examines how these poets perceive the universality of death and how they choose to find some sort of resolution to the unanswerable question: What happens to us after death?
From the Paper "William Cullen Bryant's Thanatopsis is a such a meditation. In fact, the title means "a meditation on death" (Webster). This narrator of this poem speaks to us in a gentle and reassuring voice, telling us that instead of fearing death, we should instead consider it a natural progression of life. Death is not something to anguish over and the narrator urges us to look to nature for a elevated perspective on the process of dying. Lessons can be learned from ?Earth and her waters, and the depth of the air--? (16). The poem is speaking to the one who is troubled by mortality, knowing that one day he or she will die and no longer see the "all-beholding" sun (18) and the "Earth that nourished thee, shall claim/They growth, to be resolved to earth again" (22-3). By consoling nature, the distressed individual can discover three consolations to inevitable death. (Magill) "
Abstract Through an analysis of the poetry of these famous writers, this paper explains how each writer illustrates the diverse ways that death touches each one of us.
From the Paper "In her poem, "I Heard a Fly Buzz in my Head," Dickinson imagines what the first few moments after death might be like. Interestingly, the speaker is looking back on her death, which forces her to write a poem that depends heavily on her senses. The first thing we realize about this poem is the fact that the poet does not see death as something magnificent that has happened to her. Instead, death is nothing if ordinary. This notion goes against the traditional idea of passing into a glorious afterlife. She hears no trumpets; instead she is keenly aware of the "stillness in the air" (Dickinson 3). At the end of the poem, the speaker becomes aware of a "blue, uncertain, stumbling buzz" (13). One of the most eerie aspects of the speaker's death is the fly and how it distracts her even from her death. The fly is probably the most important aspect of the poem, which might indicate the speaker's sees death as an insignificant event that draws flies. The speaker's mood is surprising in that she treats her own death as just another occurrence. She is clearly aware that she is dead and this in no way shocks or horrifies her. Her attitude toward death is cavalier and from this, we assume that she feels no angst over her own death, whenever it may occur."
Abstract The paper examines several of Edgar Allan Poe's poems, including "Annabel Lee," "The Haunted Palace," and "The Conqueror Worm." The paper analyzes how Poe uses the rhythmic beat and repetition of poetry to suggest the inevitability of death. The paper maintains that his poetry was a means of exploring his own apparent fatalism and of articulating his morbid sadness.
From the Paper "It is arguable that no other writer in American history has produced work as unsettling and as suspensefully macabre as Edgar Allan Poe. Obviously, his short stories are notorious for their haunting imagery, their dark themes and for their lurid depictions of the "dark side" of human nature. However, Poe's poetry is also surprisingly animated with dark images - particularly the stark imagery of death. Indeed, a case can certainly be made that some of his best poetry is more suffused (or at least as suffused) with images of the "world beyond" than is the best of his short stories."
Tags: Annabel Lee, The Haunted Palace, The Conqueror Worm, fatalism, morbidity
A comparative analysis of the presentation of death in William Shakespeare's "Venus and Adonis", Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress", and John Donne's "Holy Sonnets" numbers 1 and 10.
Abstract This paper looks at the literary theme of death in a specific historical context. It examines the way death is juxtaposed and contrasted with allusions to violence, life, love and sex, building up a discussion of whether we should ultimately read death as positive or negative in Renaissance poetry.
From the Paper "Meanwhile, Donne's 'Holy Sonnet 1' begins with death as an imminent threat. It appears as early as the first line with the word 'decay' , which, when we link it to the similar threat of death in 'To His Coy Mistress' with its 'worms shall try that long-preserved virginity' (ll. 27-28), appears almost certainly to refer to posthumous decay. Moreover, the repetition of 'now' (l. 2) twice in the same line and words like 'I dare not' (l. 5) convey the speaker's urgency and fear because of death. However, with closer reading, it may not be simply death that the speaker finds threatening. Towards the middle of the poem, Donne twists the reader's expectations by beginning to mention 'sin' (l. 8) and 'our old subtle foe' (l. 11) as a reference to the devil. "
Tags: decay, gender, holy, love, mistress, religion, sex
Abstract This paper analyzes the poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe. Specifically it considers Poe's assertion that the ultimate subject for a work of art is the death of a beautiful woman. Poe's assertion that death begets art is seen in light of many of the world's greatest works of fiction and poetry. The author concludes that the death of a beautiful woman as a powerful good literary device was used effectively in "The Raven."
From the Paper "While the poem is heart wrenching, there is also something dark and sinister lingering below the surface. The black bird seems evil and devilish somehow, and the narrator concurs when he shrieks, "'Prophet!' said I, 'thing of evil!--prophet still, if bird or devil!'" (Poe). Why does a "thing of evil" bring memories to the narrator? What is the background of the pair of lovers? It is easy to see the narrator is lonely, but why is he so tormented? There is something missing in the equation here, and whatever it is seems sinister and foreboding. Poe uses this dark underbelly of life in many of his works, leaving the reader with a sense of fear and horror that linger. Lenore is a device to add depth and emotion to the poem, but as she dwells with "the angels" the reader must wonder just what happened to her, and what the narrator had to do with it. There is more than simply longing and grief in the poem, there is something darker that dwells in the very souls of so many of us. Poe saw the world darkly, and that is evident in this poem and many of his other works. Lenore is a sexual and sensual device, but she is certainly not the only device. The dark, haunting quality of the poem is another device that helps create outstanding and dramatic art."
Abstract The paper compares and contrasts the poems "Too," America" and "I Hear America Singing" and discusses how they are all very different poems, though they share the common subject of America. The paper describes how the authors, Langston Hughes, Claude McKay and Walt Whitman make different stylistic choices in their poems. They also relay very different meanings, while still expressing patriotism and their view of America. The paper analyzes how the common theme does make them similar poems in some ways, but overall these poems express the individualism and expression of the poet writing them.
Abstract This paper discusses how Emily Dickinson's influences, as well as her thoughts, can certainly be seen in the context of her poetry. It analyzes four of her poems to determine how, from her Puritan upbringing and her secluded lifestyle, Dickinson was able to ponder life's mysteries and express her attitudes toward them in poems rich with detail and imagery. The poems reviewed are "Some Keep The Sabbath Going To Church", "I Never Saw a Moor", ?Because I Could Not Stop For Death?, and "The Bustle in the House" .
From the Paper "An example of Dickinson's almost hermit existence can be seen in her poem, ?Some Keep The Sabbath Going To Church.? Here, she tells us that she keeps the Sabbath by staying home "With a Bobolink for a Chorister"/And an orchard, for a Dome?(326-7)?. This indicates how she is comfortable at home with a bird serving as a choir and an orchard for a church dome. These metaphors successfully indicate that Dickinson can see and experience God in her home as well as others can in church. Dickinson sees herself as having wings (329) and not in desperate need of a sermon. This poem is important today because society is filled with distractions that compete for our attention. ?Some Keep The Sabbath Going To Church.? also illustrates Dickinson's approach to the afterlife."
Abstract This paper demonstrates through the example of Robert Frost that, contrary to popular notion, a poet does not need to have lived a tragic life in order to write great poetry. The paper gives a brief biographical account and points out that Frost's life was not nearly one of tragedy, but that his poetry, nonetheless, appeals to large audiences and has remained popular for generations. The paper points to the popularity of Frost's themes, the understanding and sensitivity expressed in his writing, and the different styles and techniques he used in his poems that have made his poetry so enduring.
From the Paper "Robert Frost was born in 1874 in the city of San Francisco and lead a relatively peaceful life in his early childhood. He was raised with a mother and a father who provided a warm and stable environment for him to grow up in but at the age of 11 Frost lost his father to illness. While many widows fell apart and the children had to grow up quickly Frost's mother reacted with forethought and calmness, making the decision to move her family to Massachusetts to be with her extended family members."
Tags: massachusetts, teaching, newspaper, journalist, my, buterfly, an, elegy, writer, the, death, of, the, hired, man
