How does Donne's use of irony in "The Flea" or "Woman's Constancy" affect the meaning of his poems? How are we to respond to his speakers?
Part 1)
I thought that this poem was very interesting. At first, it seemed strange that someone would write a poem about a flea. But, it made me want to read it to find out. Some of the language and words used were a little confusing, like "thou deniest", "maidenhead", and "triumph'st". I definitely had to read it a couple of times. I thought it was funny because guys will say a lot of things to get a girl in bed, but I've never heard of a guy using an explanation of a flea as a reason to sleep with him. I also thought that it was interesting that the two people in the poem were not grossed out because of the flea. It was almost normal to them to have a flea in their bed. Nowadays, they would not be so calm.
Part 2)
Donne uses a lot of irony in his poem, "The Flea". First of all, the title of the poem is ironic and leads the reader to believe that the poem is simply about a flea. However, the poem is about much more than a little flea. The speaker of the poem, most likely male, is talking directly to another person, most likely female. The man is trying to convince the girl that since a flea has bitten them both, the girl mine as well give up her virginity to him. The speaker proposes that since the flea has bitten them both, both of their blood is mixed in the flea, and therefore it is almost like they have already made love. The speaker says, "It suck'd me first, and now sucks thee, And in this flea our two bloods mingled be." He argues that they are practically married because of this flea, saying, "Where we almost, yea, more than married are." Surprisingly, the woman does not fall for this and moves to kill the flea. The speaker tries to discourage her, saying that by killing the flea, she will spill their blood and be committing murder and even sacrilege. He tells her, "Let not to that self-murder added be, And sacrilege, three sins in killing three." He suggests that the flea, in some way, possesses the holly trinity by saying, "three lives in one flea". The entire poem is ironic because it uses a flea as an example of sex, marriage, and religion. It is ironic that the speaker suggests that the woman giving her virginity is not only approved by God, but would be against God not to. Using this irony adds to the depth of the poem and emphasizes the point he is trying to make. The reader is to respond to the speaker by interpreting the meaning by looking past the literal aspect of the poem. The reader must identify the irony in the speaker and analyze the use of this irony.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Blog #1
What is the relationship between Hughes's "I, Too" and Whitman's "I Hear America Singing"? How does Hughes respond to Whitman's conception of America?
Part 1)
I enjoyed reading both of the poems. Whitman's poem portrays the pride that Americans have in their work. He talks about each worker singing while they work and being content with their work. I thought it was interesting that the jobs that he mentions are jobs that were popular in the past. I liked how he showed that the people worked hard during the day and partied hard at night. It shows that there are benefits to working hard. Hughes poem was very interesting to read after reading Whitman's. He puts a different spin on the idea of America and points out that there is more to America than the people that Whitman mentions. I thought his poem was more realistic and down to earth.
Part 2)
Whitman describes the blue collared workers of the past and their pride in working. He describes all of them singing while working, showing that they are content with their jobs. He points out that there are "varied carols" and describes several different trades of the times. He also says that each song is personal to each worker, saying, "Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else." He includes that the workers sing during the day, but also, "at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs." Although he describes happy people, he does not mention any of the bad aspects of American life during that time. Hughes responds to Whitman's poem in "I, Too, Sing America." He points out that Whitman did not include all Americans in his poem. He talked about many people, but mostly blue collared white workers. Hughes adds that there are other groups of people, like, "the darker brother." He argues that he is also an American, but sings a slightly different tune. He shows how he is separated by saying, "They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes." He is not discouraged by this situation, and says, "I laugh, and eat well, and grow strong." He knows that in the future, the situation will change and he will no longer have to eat in the kitchen. He knows that the way he is treated is not right, and he knows that more people will realize that in the future. He says, "They'll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed." The last line, "I, too, am America", is very powerful and shows that he wants people to know that he is a part of America. Whitman, possibly unintentionally, does not give a well-rounded picture of American life. Hughes adds the idea that Americans are even more diverse than in Whitman's poem. Hughes provides a more realistic view to life in America.
Part 1)
I enjoyed reading both of the poems. Whitman's poem portrays the pride that Americans have in their work. He talks about each worker singing while they work and being content with their work. I thought it was interesting that the jobs that he mentions are jobs that were popular in the past. I liked how he showed that the people worked hard during the day and partied hard at night. It shows that there are benefits to working hard. Hughes poem was very interesting to read after reading Whitman's. He puts a different spin on the idea of America and points out that there is more to America than the people that Whitman mentions. I thought his poem was more realistic and down to earth.
Part 2)
Whitman describes the blue collared workers of the past and their pride in working. He describes all of them singing while working, showing that they are content with their jobs. He points out that there are "varied carols" and describes several different trades of the times. He also says that each song is personal to each worker, saying, "Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else." He includes that the workers sing during the day, but also, "at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs." Although he describes happy people, he does not mention any of the bad aspects of American life during that time. Hughes responds to Whitman's poem in "I, Too, Sing America." He points out that Whitman did not include all Americans in his poem. He talked about many people, but mostly blue collared white workers. Hughes adds that there are other groups of people, like, "the darker brother." He argues that he is also an American, but sings a slightly different tune. He shows how he is separated by saying, "They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes." He is not discouraged by this situation, and says, "I laugh, and eat well, and grow strong." He knows that in the future, the situation will change and he will no longer have to eat in the kitchen. He knows that the way he is treated is not right, and he knows that more people will realize that in the future. He says, "They'll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed." The last line, "I, too, am America", is very powerful and shows that he wants people to know that he is a part of America. Whitman, possibly unintentionally, does not give a well-rounded picture of American life. Hughes adds the idea that Americans are even more diverse than in Whitman's poem. Hughes provides a more realistic view to life in America.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)