Caroline Norton, a nineteenth century English writer, was trapped in a disastrous marriage to a brutal man. Her husband , who in my view was a womanizer, denied her access to their three sons. He also tried to seize her earnings, which she had earned as a writer, because the wife and all that she had was the property of the husband. How could a man seek to deny a woman access to the child that she bares is totally ridiculous. If the mother was abusing the child that would be another story but this was not the position in Caroline Norton's case. As a man, I cannot image how frustrated and angry she was, which prompted her to write "A Letter to the Queen." In other words she was appealing to the highest authority of her time calling for the reformation of these marriage laws.
From the very beginning of the letter there are so many negative words, such as "no" and "cannot", that describes the woman relationship in a marriage. In England, and I am sure it was being practiced somewhere else during the Victorian era, it seems as if a woman had "No legal existence" (page 565). To me, this legal system that was set up to protect its citizens (male and female) was bias towards the men. In that men or husbands were treated superior as compared to women or wives. The speaker said, "the legal fiction holds her to be one with her husband, even though she may never see or hear of him" (page 565) suggesting that once a woman is married she becomes the wife of that man even if the man is not present in the home or is living some adulterous life. There was nothing that could be done by the woman because she was inferior.
The speaker, in her letter, continued with several cannot or may not by the "English wife". On page 565, the letter states "An English wife cannot make a will" suggesting that no matter what the wife possessed in her lifetime, she had no say as to who she would like to passed on those possessions to. "An English wife cannot legally claim her own earnings" (page 565). To me this statement is ridiculous. There are several women who have worked hard, rising early to get the children off to school, then going to work and cannot enjoy the reward of her hard labor. This, her hard earned salary is her "husband's." I am sure this would have never worked in today's society where the wife worked and the husband decides how the money is spent. Several women would rebel, as I am sure they did during Caroline's time, but the difference is that in our society there is recourse made available by law in which women could pursue.
The letter then continued on the same negative note about what the wife cannot do. "An English wife may not leave her husband house", and to me this is slavery. Even though some women might agree to this, I am sure many wives were retaliating and this would be classified as slavery since they were held against their will. I cannot comprehend in today's society a wife not allowed to leave the home and being treated as a slave. Just image the several murders that would be taking place due to the wife being held against her wish. Oh..this is the Victorian era where the wife is the property of the husband and if you have "a property" whether it is your wife or anything else, where ever you have placed her or it as in the case of anything else, that is where she/it must remain until being relocated. I might seem to be a little sarcastic but to me this is exactly how I feel that a wife is being treated in the Victorian era. I am not married, and when I do, I want my wife to feel as if she is not a property just as how I am not a property to her. It goes both ways, we are equal. The speaker then continued to explain how unfair the divorce proceedings were during her time, the laws was in favor of the husband. She states that, "If her husband take proceedings for a divorce, she is not, in the first instance allowed to defend herself. She has no means of proving the falsehood of his allegations," (page 565) suggesting that she has no say in the matter. The woman could never divorce the man even if she wanted to due to his adulterous life or abusive ways. This, in my mind is insane because several women were in abusive marriages and they couldnot do anything about it.
The author then went on to explain that, "Such, however, is the law: and if anything could add to the ridicule, confusion, and injustice of its provision, it would be the fact, that though it is the law for the rich, it is not for the poor" (page 566), suggesting that the laws at that time were biased towards the classes. The upper class was treated differently from that of the poorer class in that the poorer class cannot do legally, that which is done legally in the upper class even though it is the same law. The rich man was allowed to divorce his wife in order to fulfil his passions, which was allowed in England, but "the poor need not expect to obtain" (page 567) suggesting that this was not allowed for the poorer class. The author brought up this point to prove that just as how the same laws in England were interpreted differently for the classes, so it is with the laws of marriage. In that a woman has no legal existence in a marriage, she is the property of the man and the husband can do whatever he pleases since he is protected by the law.
Caroline Norton was not alive when the Married Women's Property Act of 1882 was passed but I am glad she wrote "A letter to the Queen." We have really come a long way, in that a woman, a wife or a mother has an equal right as a man, husband or a father in our society, although some might disagree with this statement. However, as the Bible states, "He that has found a good wife has found a good thing."
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Virginia Woolf 1882-1941
Virginia Woolf story, "The Lady in the Looking - Glass: A reflection", tells of a woman, who calls herself Isabella Tyson, whose character is examined both from outside and in. The title and subtitle of the story indicate that the story is a means of examining a lady by her reflection in a looking glass and normally one does not use a looking glass to examine others. One uses a looking glass to examine self. So one might wonder if this lady, Isabella Tyson, in the story is Virginia Woolf herself.
"People should not leave looking-glasses hanging in their rooms any more than they should leave open cheque books or letters confessing some hideous crime." (page 1224) I believe the opening line is suggesting that if you do not want others to know your business you should never leave your business in plain view as indicated by mirror hanging in your house. If for some reason you do and they scandalize you, it would be similar to leaving your cheque book out for others to have access to it so that they are able to see your account balance or even steal a check leaf or two in order to withdraw money from your account.
The author then continues to describe the scene of story as seen through the eyes of the mirror by contrasting the interior of the house with the exterior. "The quiet old country room with its rugs and stone chimney pieces, its sunken book-cases and red and gold lacquer cabinets was full of such nocturnal creatures....but outside, the looking- glass reflected the hall table, the sunflowers, the garden path so accurately and so fixedly that they seemed held their in their reality unescapably "(page 1225). I am getting a sense of busyness in the house but the author had said earlier that "the house was empty." So why were there so many activities happening in the house; whereas outside was so still and serene. Was the author making reference to some hidden secrets inside this house? One can only speculate.
As the author continues to describe the mistress of the house, as seen through the eyes of the looking-glass, we were told that she was a rich spinster that had furnished the house all by herself, as stated in these words "She was a spinster; that was rich; that she had bought this house and collected with her own hands....the rugs, the chairs, the cabinets which now lived their nocturnal life before one's eyes" (page 1225). Why are the words nocturnal being used several times in this story? Were there some secret things or activities happening at nights inside this house? One can only wonder but as the story continues, the author tells her readers as seen through the mirror that the furniture and accessories in the house knew more about the mistress of the house than those that had visited the house. Several examples are given to validate this statement, including, "Isabella would come in, and take them, one by one, very slowly, and open them, and read them carefully word by word, and then with a profound sigh of comprehension, as if she had seen to the bottom of everything, she would tear the envelopes to little bits and tie the letters together and lock the cabinet drawer in her determination to conceal what she did not wish to be known" (page 1226). Who was writing these letters to her? Several thoughts flood through my mind. Were these love letters or were they letters related to a business undertaking? I am assuming the former because why would she lock the cabinet drawer? Was she trying to be careful so that those letters did not get into the wrong hands. We might want to criticize Isabella but this is so typical of us all. We all do have a locked drawer which contains our past or something in our lives that we wish to conceal from others. If only the mirror in our rooms could talk, others would be shocked at what we had done.
Oh, I wish the story had told us some more intricate details of what had occurred in the house as seen by the looking glass. However, Virginia Woolf did a brilliant job of describing Isabella's private life as seen by the looking glass in "The Lady in the Looking -Glass: A Reflection."
"People should not leave looking-glasses hanging in their rooms any more than they should leave open cheque books or letters confessing some hideous crime." (page 1224) I believe the opening line is suggesting that if you do not want others to know your business you should never leave your business in plain view as indicated by mirror hanging in your house. If for some reason you do and they scandalize you, it would be similar to leaving your cheque book out for others to have access to it so that they are able to see your account balance or even steal a check leaf or two in order to withdraw money from your account.
The author then continues to describe the scene of story as seen through the eyes of the mirror by contrasting the interior of the house with the exterior. "The quiet old country room with its rugs and stone chimney pieces, its sunken book-cases and red and gold lacquer cabinets was full of such nocturnal creatures....but outside, the looking- glass reflected the hall table, the sunflowers, the garden path so accurately and so fixedly that they seemed held their in their reality unescapably "(page 1225). I am getting a sense of busyness in the house but the author had said earlier that "the house was empty." So why were there so many activities happening in the house; whereas outside was so still and serene. Was the author making reference to some hidden secrets inside this house? One can only speculate.
As the author continues to describe the mistress of the house, as seen through the eyes of the looking-glass, we were told that she was a rich spinster that had furnished the house all by herself, as stated in these words "She was a spinster; that was rich; that she had bought this house and collected with her own hands....the rugs, the chairs, the cabinets which now lived their nocturnal life before one's eyes" (page 1225). Why are the words nocturnal being used several times in this story? Were there some secret things or activities happening at nights inside this house? One can only wonder but as the story continues, the author tells her readers as seen through the mirror that the furniture and accessories in the house knew more about the mistress of the house than those that had visited the house. Several examples are given to validate this statement, including, "Isabella would come in, and take them, one by one, very slowly, and open them, and read them carefully word by word, and then with a profound sigh of comprehension, as if she had seen to the bottom of everything, she would tear the envelopes to little bits and tie the letters together and lock the cabinet drawer in her determination to conceal what she did not wish to be known" (page 1226). Who was writing these letters to her? Several thoughts flood through my mind. Were these love letters or were they letters related to a business undertaking? I am assuming the former because why would she lock the cabinet drawer? Was she trying to be careful so that those letters did not get into the wrong hands. We might want to criticize Isabella but this is so typical of us all. We all do have a locked drawer which contains our past or something in our lives that we wish to conceal from others. If only the mirror in our rooms could talk, others would be shocked at what we had done.
Oh, I wish the story had told us some more intricate details of what had occurred in the house as seen by the looking glass. However, Virginia Woolf did a brilliant job of describing Isabella's private life as seen by the looking glass in "The Lady in the Looking -Glass: A Reflection."
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
William Butler Yeats 1865-1939
William Butler Yeats in his poem, "The Wild Swans at Coole" tells of the reflection of the speaker on his thoughts and sense of growth since he has been to this spot nineteen years before. The poem starts off with the speaker telling his readers that it was a very nice, clear dry autumn night and while he took a stroll near the pond or lake he counted fifty nine swans. Did the speaker incorrectly count the swans or did fate as they would have called it came to one of the swan. Based on what I have been told swans always travel in pairs. To convey to his readers that it was such a beautiful sight, the speaker states that the water was very still so that the sky reflected from it as stated in the words, "The water mirrors a still sky" (page 1118).
"The nineteenth autumn has come upon me
Since I first made my count;
I saw, before I had well finished,
All suddenly mount
And scatter wheeling in great broken rings
Upon their clamorous wings." (page 1118, lines 7-12)
After counting the swans the speaker then continued to tell us that the first time he attempted to count them was nineteen years ago. He could not tell us how many they were at that time because before he was finished counting they flapped their wings and flew away. As the speaker continued to look upon those "brilliant creatures" his heart became sore from realizing all this time had past between his last visit and he feels he has changed, although the swans remained unchanged as stated in these words "unwearied still."
The speaker then continued to state that "Lover by lover, they paddle in the cold companionable streams or climb the air; their hearts have not grown old" (lines 19-22) to stress the point that even at looking at the swans closer they have not changed. This reminds me of two lovers that are in love and though the years come and go, to them it seems as if it is just yesterday. Then the speaker must have started to compare his life with these swans. Here were these swans "lover by lover" and he had loved a woman who he will never have as a lover. He also thought about himself how he had grown so much older but the swans, with their love for each other, stayed young forever. The manner in which the speaker is caught up in the gentle pain of personal memory contrasts sharply with the beautiful, warm swans which appear unchanged. How has this happened he must have wondered?
The speaker then continued in the last stanza as he imagined what the future holds for these swans. In these words, "Among what rushes will they build, by what lake's edge or pool delight men's eyes when I awake some day to find they have flown away" (lines 27-30), the speaker wondered if he will be able to come back sometime and find the swans still there or will they be gone to another lake to build their nest and produce more swans. The poem did not answer these questions but it is apparent that the speaker is thinking about the future and what lies ahead in his journey. Not seeing those swans, for the author is similar to dying. Will he be alive or not to see these lovely swans again. I assume that he is thinking that he might not be alive because if after nineteen years have past and the swans are still there, why wouldn't they be there in the future years? Life's uncertainties brings several questions to mind which most people are afraid of, and Yeats is no exception to this rule.
"The nineteenth autumn has come upon me
Since I first made my count;
I saw, before I had well finished,
All suddenly mount
And scatter wheeling in great broken rings
Upon their clamorous wings." (page 1118, lines 7-12)
After counting the swans the speaker then continued to tell us that the first time he attempted to count them was nineteen years ago. He could not tell us how many they were at that time because before he was finished counting they flapped their wings and flew away. As the speaker continued to look upon those "brilliant creatures" his heart became sore from realizing all this time had past between his last visit and he feels he has changed, although the swans remained unchanged as stated in these words "unwearied still."
The speaker then continued to state that "Lover by lover, they paddle in the cold companionable streams or climb the air; their hearts have not grown old" (lines 19-22) to stress the point that even at looking at the swans closer they have not changed. This reminds me of two lovers that are in love and though the years come and go, to them it seems as if it is just yesterday. Then the speaker must have started to compare his life with these swans. Here were these swans "lover by lover" and he had loved a woman who he will never have as a lover. He also thought about himself how he had grown so much older but the swans, with their love for each other, stayed young forever. The manner in which the speaker is caught up in the gentle pain of personal memory contrasts sharply with the beautiful, warm swans which appear unchanged. How has this happened he must have wondered?
The speaker then continued in the last stanza as he imagined what the future holds for these swans. In these words, "Among what rushes will they build, by what lake's edge or pool delight men's eyes when I awake some day to find they have flown away" (lines 27-30), the speaker wondered if he will be able to come back sometime and find the swans still there or will they be gone to another lake to build their nest and produce more swans. The poem did not answer these questions but it is apparent that the speaker is thinking about the future and what lies ahead in his journey. Not seeing those swans, for the author is similar to dying. Will he be alive or not to see these lovely swans again. I assume that he is thinking that he might not be alive because if after nineteen years have past and the swans are still there, why wouldn't they be there in the future years? Life's uncertainties brings several questions to mind which most people are afraid of, and Yeats is no exception to this rule.
Robert Browning 1812-1889
"Porphyria worshipped me; surprise made my heart swell, and still it grew while I debated what to do" (page 663). After reading Elizabeth's poems, I could not wait to read what Robert Browning had to write. However, his style of writing is so different from hers in that Elizabeth's writings surrounds the theme of true everlasting love, pure love. Whereas his work, though brilliantly done had several twist to it, which kept my eyes glued to the pages wanting to see what would happen next. This was the case in "Porphyria's Lover". Just reading the line mentioned at the beginning of this blog, which was taken from "Porphyria's Lover", one would get the impression that this was going to be the best love story ever. However, this monologue was one of twisted love, murder and madness and the mental state of the speaker is quite disturbing.
The speaker starts off the poem by creating the backdrop for the scene. Here the storm rages showing nature at its worst. Ripping the branches from the trees and overflowing the lake as stated in these words, "The rain set early in to-night, the sullen wind was soon awake, it tore the elm-tops down for spite and did its worst to vex the lake (page 662, lines 1-4). Then the speaker continues with the words, "When glided in Porphyria; straight she shut the cold out..made the cheerless grate blaze up, and all the cottage warm (lines 6-8). I was a little upset after reading these lines because here was this man sitting in this cold cottage with his lover out in the storm all unconcerned. She had to come home to start the fire in order for the cottage to be warm, while he was just sitting there. How inconsiderate of him.
"At last, she sat down by my side and called me. When no voice replied, she put my arm about her waist, and made her smooth white shoulder bare....her yellow hair (Lines 14-20). It seems as he was very upset with her because the speaker used the words, "at last". Was he upset because she did not acknowledge him first after coming into the cottage or was there some lingering problems. The latter I assume. However, unaware of what was the problem, the speaker's lover embraces the speaker, offering him her bare shoulder. He tells us that he did not speak to her because he is upset. She then further tries to console him by telling him how she loved him in these words, "Murmuring how she loved me...to set its struggling passion free...and give herself to me forever (page 663, lines 21-25) and although he cannot believe it, she does care for him.
He then realized that Porphyria wants to be with him, but he is not sure if he can trust her. So he tries to convince himself if he can really trust her by looking in her eyes as stated in these lines, "Be sure I looked up at her eyes, happy and proud; at last I knew Porphyria worshipped me; surprise made my heart swell, and still it grew while I debated what to do" (lines 31-35). Then the speaker realized that she really loved him but he had already made up his mind of what he was going to do. Even though at that moment he had second thoughts and several things ran through his mind, "does she really loves me ", "Is this love forever" he still decided to kill her. What a heartless person this speaker was, even when he was convinced that she loved him he still carried out his plans.
Then the speaker continued with these words, "That moment she was mine..in one long yellow string I wound three times her little throat around, and strangled her (lines 36-41). Here the speaker carried out his plans and killed her and as if he was trying to validate what he had done, he stated that "No pain felt she, I am quite sure she felt no pain." Finally, even though he knew that she was dead, he started making a mockery of the dead corps. We are given this image of a man sitting with Porphyria's dead body against his all night long with her head on his shoulder and her eyes open. In my opinion, I think this man was sick and further more he had the audacity of saying in the final line of the poem, "And yet God has not said a word." It was as if he was implying that God was pleased with what he had done.
I am sorry I got a little carried away at the end but I was a little upset. I must admit, Robert Browning was a brilliant poet. He did a brilliant job in this piece, "Porphyria's Lover". Even though I was a bit upset with what the speaker had done, all in all it was just poetry.
The speaker starts off the poem by creating the backdrop for the scene. Here the storm rages showing nature at its worst. Ripping the branches from the trees and overflowing the lake as stated in these words, "The rain set early in to-night, the sullen wind was soon awake, it tore the elm-tops down for spite and did its worst to vex the lake (page 662, lines 1-4). Then the speaker continues with the words, "When glided in Porphyria; straight she shut the cold out..made the cheerless grate blaze up, and all the cottage warm (lines 6-8). I was a little upset after reading these lines because here was this man sitting in this cold cottage with his lover out in the storm all unconcerned. She had to come home to start the fire in order for the cottage to be warm, while he was just sitting there. How inconsiderate of him.
"At last, she sat down by my side and called me. When no voice replied, she put my arm about her waist, and made her smooth white shoulder bare....her yellow hair (Lines 14-20). It seems as he was very upset with her because the speaker used the words, "at last". Was he upset because she did not acknowledge him first after coming into the cottage or was there some lingering problems. The latter I assume. However, unaware of what was the problem, the speaker's lover embraces the speaker, offering him her bare shoulder. He tells us that he did not speak to her because he is upset. She then further tries to console him by telling him how she loved him in these words, "Murmuring how she loved me...to set its struggling passion free...and give herself to me forever (page 663, lines 21-25) and although he cannot believe it, she does care for him.
He then realized that Porphyria wants to be with him, but he is not sure if he can trust her. So he tries to convince himself if he can really trust her by looking in her eyes as stated in these lines, "Be sure I looked up at her eyes, happy and proud; at last I knew Porphyria worshipped me; surprise made my heart swell, and still it grew while I debated what to do" (lines 31-35). Then the speaker realized that she really loved him but he had already made up his mind of what he was going to do. Even though at that moment he had second thoughts and several things ran through his mind, "does she really loves me ", "Is this love forever" he still decided to kill her. What a heartless person this speaker was, even when he was convinced that she loved him he still carried out his plans.
Then the speaker continued with these words, "That moment she was mine..in one long yellow string I wound three times her little throat around, and strangled her (lines 36-41). Here the speaker carried out his plans and killed her and as if he was trying to validate what he had done, he stated that "No pain felt she, I am quite sure she felt no pain." Finally, even though he knew that she was dead, he started making a mockery of the dead corps. We are given this image of a man sitting with Porphyria's dead body against his all night long with her head on his shoulder and her eyes open. In my opinion, I think this man was sick and further more he had the audacity of saying in the final line of the poem, "And yet God has not said a word." It was as if he was implying that God was pleased with what he had done.
I am sorry I got a little carried away at the end but I was a little upset. I must admit, Robert Browning was a brilliant poet. He did a brilliant job in this piece, "Porphyria's Lover". Even though I was a bit upset with what the speaker had done, all in all it was just poetry.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Thomas Hardy 1840-1928
Thomas Hardy was one of the most compelling voices in modern poetry, and yet one of the great Victorian. He was always reminiscing about the past, as I am sure he had a lot to think about having lived to be eighty eight years old, and comparing it to his present life. One of the poems that I really enjoyed from reading his list of poems was, "Logs on the Hearth" A memory of a sister. I have one sister who is still alive, which was not the case with Hardy when he wrote this poem, but we are miles apart from each other and oh how I missed seeing her in person. Reading this poem reminds me of our childhood days and the wonderful times we had together growing up in the country. So much about that, let me get back to Hardy's poem.
The poem "Logs on the Hearth" begins with the words, "The fire advances along the log of the tree we felled," (page 1078, lines 1-2) suggesting that the time of year must have been winter because of the logs that were burning in the fireplace. It is hard to tell from these lines if the speaker regrets having to burn those logs or should they have allowed the tree to just stay there and rot. However, one thing is certain it was a bitter sweet experience. On one hand the speaker was enjoying the warmth that the burning logs provided but on the other hand it brought back memories.
As stated in these words, "Which bloomed and bore stripped apples by the peck till its last hour of bearing knelled. The fork that first my hand would reach and then my foot in climbing upward inch by inch, lies now sawn, sapless, darkened with soot" (page 1078, lines 3-8) brought back memories of when the tree was alive and the many basketful loads of apples that they had picked from the apple tree. It also brought back childhood memories of the wonderful times and sometimes painful memories, even though the speaker did not mentioned the painful memories, that the speaker had with his sister from climbing the apple tree. I remember the time when I fell from a mango tree trying to beat my sister to the first ripe mango on the tree. It was not an enjoyable experience because we were told by our parents not to climb the tree and as a result I was scold even after my ordeal. Words such as "the fork that my hand would reach", "then my foot" tells of the various stages that the speaker had seen this tree in his lifetime. First, he was just able to touch the limbs with his hands and as time progresses, he was able to climb the tree with his sister.
The speaker then continues the poem with the same pattern of focusing on the present and contrasting it with the past in the words, "Where the bark chars is where, one year, it was pruned, and bled-Then overgrew the wound. But now, at last, its growing all have stagnated" (page 1079, lines 9-12). In describing the tree and the various experiences, I think the speaker was so peaceful in explaining the present but was very graphic with his words in describing the past. Using words such as "wound" and "bled" to describe the sap running from the tree when its dead branches were removed in order for new growth. To me it was as if the speaker was describing a persons bleeding wound. However, the speaker continues with the words,
"My fellow-climber rises dim
From her chilly grave-
Just she was, her foot near mine on the bending limb,
Laughing, her young brown hand awave." (page 1079, lines 13-16)
In the above mentioned lines, it seems as if the speaker was once again thinking of the past when he was happy playing with his sister but now she is dead as suggested by the words "chilly grave." While this poem is depressing because Hardy is grieving over his sisters loss, it is also very touching because you can truly see how much Hardy cared for his sister. I am getting the impression that the speaker wished that his sister was still around so that they could reminiscence on their childhood days but this will never happen since she is dead. Also, from these words, "Laughing, her young brown hand awave" gives the impression of the sister calling the speaker home. Was it that the speaker, who was now old was about to die and the sister was telling him of his death?
I had mixed emotions when I read "Logs on the Hearth" because it had brought back so many wonderful memories of my childhood.
The poem "Logs on the Hearth" begins with the words, "The fire advances along the log of the tree we felled," (page 1078, lines 1-2) suggesting that the time of year must have been winter because of the logs that were burning in the fireplace. It is hard to tell from these lines if the speaker regrets having to burn those logs or should they have allowed the tree to just stay there and rot. However, one thing is certain it was a bitter sweet experience. On one hand the speaker was enjoying the warmth that the burning logs provided but on the other hand it brought back memories.
As stated in these words, "Which bloomed and bore stripped apples by the peck till its last hour of bearing knelled. The fork that first my hand would reach and then my foot in climbing upward inch by inch, lies now sawn, sapless, darkened with soot" (page 1078, lines 3-8) brought back memories of when the tree was alive and the many basketful loads of apples that they had picked from the apple tree. It also brought back childhood memories of the wonderful times and sometimes painful memories, even though the speaker did not mentioned the painful memories, that the speaker had with his sister from climbing the apple tree. I remember the time when I fell from a mango tree trying to beat my sister to the first ripe mango on the tree. It was not an enjoyable experience because we were told by our parents not to climb the tree and as a result I was scold even after my ordeal. Words such as "the fork that my hand would reach", "then my foot" tells of the various stages that the speaker had seen this tree in his lifetime. First, he was just able to touch the limbs with his hands and as time progresses, he was able to climb the tree with his sister.
The speaker then continues the poem with the same pattern of focusing on the present and contrasting it with the past in the words, "Where the bark chars is where, one year, it was pruned, and bled-Then overgrew the wound. But now, at last, its growing all have stagnated" (page 1079, lines 9-12). In describing the tree and the various experiences, I think the speaker was so peaceful in explaining the present but was very graphic with his words in describing the past. Using words such as "wound" and "bled" to describe the sap running from the tree when its dead branches were removed in order for new growth. To me it was as if the speaker was describing a persons bleeding wound. However, the speaker continues with the words,
"My fellow-climber rises dim
From her chilly grave-
Just she was, her foot near mine on the bending limb,
Laughing, her young brown hand awave." (page 1079, lines 13-16)
In the above mentioned lines, it seems as if the speaker was once again thinking of the past when he was happy playing with his sister but now she is dead as suggested by the words "chilly grave." While this poem is depressing because Hardy is grieving over his sisters loss, it is also very touching because you can truly see how much Hardy cared for his sister. I am getting the impression that the speaker wished that his sister was still around so that they could reminiscence on their childhood days but this will never happen since she is dead. Also, from these words, "Laughing, her young brown hand awave" gives the impression of the sister calling the speaker home. Was it that the speaker, who was now old was about to die and the sister was telling him of his death?
I had mixed emotions when I read "Logs on the Hearth" because it had brought back so many wonderful memories of my childhood.
Monday, June 16, 2008
T.S. Eliot 1888-1965
The "Journey of the Magi" narrative is based upon the tradition of the three wise men who journeyed to Bethlehem to worship the infant Christ. Rather than giving the traditional biblical story that most of us are used to hearing, the author did a brilliant job and turned the story into poetry. However, the story was told from the viewpoint of one of the wise men who talks about the difficulties that they faced along the journey and the outcome of their trip and how their lives were changed.
"A cold coming we had of it,
Just the worst time of the year
For a journey, and such a long journey
The ways deep and the weather sharp,
The very dead of winter." (page 1215, lines 1-5)
The poem started off on a frustrated and depressing note as the speaker, who was one of the wise men, describes the journey. He stated that it was a long arduous journey against all the elements that winter brought with it and to say that it was cold would be an understatement because it was the "dead" of winter. This is so different from the biblical version, which does not seem to mention anything bad or difficult about the journey that the wise men made. The speaker then continues with the words, "And the camels galled, sore footed, refactory, lying down in the melting snow" (page 1215) to emphasized that they had a lot going against them to make their traveling terrible. To make matters worse, the only form of transportation "the camels" were tired and smelly which made it very difficult for him to continue on his way. It seems as if there were no comfort for these wise men. Someone having read this poem might admit that this is the way it seems as if it is with life in general, when one problem starts expect to have several other problems.
Then as the speaker continues the journey, doubts and regrets were at the forefront of his mind as he remembers the past as stated in these word, "There were times we regretted the summer palaces on slopes, the terraces, and the silken girls bringing sherbet" (page 1215, lines 8-10). Those memories of the past compared to what they are experiencing now makes them regret ever having those memories or even starting this trip. I am sure the speaker had second thoughts about going back. The speaker then continues to tell of other complications of the journey, such as "night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters, and the cities hostile and the towns unfriendly.....with the voices singing in our ears, saying that this was all folly" (page 1215, lines 13-19). Just at the time when they needed some encouragement, they were told by those around them that there was no need for this journey, voices that tempt them to cease their foolish journey. Oh how sad it is when we are faced with life's problems and there is no one around to encourage us or if people are around they condemn us trying to blame us for the problems that is happening in our life's. I cannot image how discouraged these wise men were , but they still continue on their journey.
Then when it seems as if all hope is lost, the men reached their "temperate valley", which I am assuming is Bethlehem. Then the tone of the poem changes to a positive note, to one of hope. Even the weather changes for the better as stated in these words, "Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation, with running stream and a water-mill beating the darkness and three trees on the low sky" (page 1215, lines 22-24). These lines, I am assuming meant the newness, relief or rebirth of entering into Bethlehem and then I was a bit lost when I read the other seven lines. I am not sure how "a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel" or "six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver" fits into the poem. Then I remember from Sunday School the Crucifixion story and how Judas had betrayed Jesus for twenty pieces of silver, so I am not sure if the speaker was making reference to the child upcoming death. The speaker then continued by stating, "And arrived at evening, not a moment too soon finding the place; it was (you may say) satisfactory" (page 1216, lines 30-31). From these lines it seems as if the speaker was disappointed at the condition of the place where they had found the child but for me this was exactly where Jesus was born. The Christ child was born in a manager, at the lowest of places, a stable where the animals were kept, so that no matter how poor we are we can accept Him as Lord and King. I was a little disappointed that nothing of significance was said about the baby in the manager or about his parents.
The speaker then continued in the last stanza with these words, “This: were we led all that way for Birth or Death? There was Birth, certainly, .....hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death" (page 1216, lines 35-39) In these lines it seems as if the speaker is confessing that he does not fully comprehend the significance of the event. It seems as if he was confused and admits a kind of reluctance to believe that anything of significant did occur from the trip because the speaker said, “I had seen birth and death, but had thought they were different” (lines 37-38). It seems as if the birth that they had traveled so far to witness was more like an end than a beginning. So the speaker stated, “We returned to our places, these Kingdoms, but no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation, with an alien people clutching their gods. I should be glad of another death” (page 1216, lines 40-43) suggesting that the wise men went back to their homes but they did not blend in with the old ways or pleasures of the old life. They have being changed by seeing this child and will not fall back in their old sinful ways as these people who worshiped their idols. I was a little confused when I read the last sentence because I was not sure if the speaker meant dieing to his old ways and looking to this new birth because of the child, Christ Jesus. So I am going to interpret it to mean that as a Christian, having accepted Jesus we have died to this old man, the sinful ways, even though not perfect, and we have a new birth, a change.
"A cold coming we had of it,
Just the worst time of the year
For a journey, and such a long journey
The ways deep and the weather sharp,
The very dead of winter." (page 1215, lines 1-5)
The poem started off on a frustrated and depressing note as the speaker, who was one of the wise men, describes the journey. He stated that it was a long arduous journey against all the elements that winter brought with it and to say that it was cold would be an understatement because it was the "dead" of winter. This is so different from the biblical version, which does not seem to mention anything bad or difficult about the journey that the wise men made. The speaker then continues with the words, "And the camels galled, sore footed, refactory, lying down in the melting snow" (page 1215) to emphasized that they had a lot going against them to make their traveling terrible. To make matters worse, the only form of transportation "the camels" were tired and smelly which made it very difficult for him to continue on his way. It seems as if there were no comfort for these wise men. Someone having read this poem might admit that this is the way it seems as if it is with life in general, when one problem starts expect to have several other problems.
Then as the speaker continues the journey, doubts and regrets were at the forefront of his mind as he remembers the past as stated in these word, "There were times we regretted the summer palaces on slopes, the terraces, and the silken girls bringing sherbet" (page 1215, lines 8-10). Those memories of the past compared to what they are experiencing now makes them regret ever having those memories or even starting this trip. I am sure the speaker had second thoughts about going back. The speaker then continues to tell of other complications of the journey, such as "night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters, and the cities hostile and the towns unfriendly.....with the voices singing in our ears, saying that this was all folly" (page 1215, lines 13-19). Just at the time when they needed some encouragement, they were told by those around them that there was no need for this journey, voices that tempt them to cease their foolish journey. Oh how sad it is when we are faced with life's problems and there is no one around to encourage us or if people are around they condemn us trying to blame us for the problems that is happening in our life's. I cannot image how discouraged these wise men were , but they still continue on their journey.
Then when it seems as if all hope is lost, the men reached their "temperate valley", which I am assuming is Bethlehem. Then the tone of the poem changes to a positive note, to one of hope. Even the weather changes for the better as stated in these words, "Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation, with running stream and a water-mill beating the darkness and three trees on the low sky" (page 1215, lines 22-24). These lines, I am assuming meant the newness, relief or rebirth of entering into Bethlehem and then I was a bit lost when I read the other seven lines. I am not sure how "a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel" or "six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver" fits into the poem. Then I remember from Sunday School the Crucifixion story and how Judas had betrayed Jesus for twenty pieces of silver, so I am not sure if the speaker was making reference to the child upcoming death. The speaker then continued by stating, "And arrived at evening, not a moment too soon finding the place; it was (you may say) satisfactory" (page 1216, lines 30-31). From these lines it seems as if the speaker was disappointed at the condition of the place where they had found the child but for me this was exactly where Jesus was born. The Christ child was born in a manager, at the lowest of places, a stable where the animals were kept, so that no matter how poor we are we can accept Him as Lord and King. I was a little disappointed that nothing of significance was said about the baby in the manager or about his parents.
The speaker then continued in the last stanza with these words, “This: were we led all that way for Birth or Death? There was Birth, certainly, .....hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death" (page 1216, lines 35-39) In these lines it seems as if the speaker is confessing that he does not fully comprehend the significance of the event. It seems as if he was confused and admits a kind of reluctance to believe that anything of significant did occur from the trip because the speaker said, “I had seen birth and death, but had thought they were different” (lines 37-38). It seems as if the birth that they had traveled so far to witness was more like an end than a beginning. So the speaker stated, “We returned to our places, these Kingdoms, but no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation, with an alien people clutching their gods. I should be glad of another death” (page 1216, lines 40-43) suggesting that the wise men went back to their homes but they did not blend in with the old ways or pleasures of the old life. They have being changed by seeing this child and will not fall back in their old sinful ways as these people who worshiped their idols. I was a little confused when I read the last sentence because I was not sure if the speaker meant dieing to his old ways and looking to this new birth because of the child, Christ Jesus. So I am going to interpret it to mean that as a Christian, having accepted Jesus we have died to this old man, the sinful ways, even though not perfect, and we have a new birth, a change.
Gerard Manley Hopkins 1844-1889
"God's Grandeur", a masterpiece of Gerard Manley Hopkins is a sonnet in which he tells of God's magnificent presence in nature. I was immediately drawn to the writings of this author because of how he connects his work with God and incorporated God in his work. He was a man who struggled to maintain religious faith, as we all do, his respect for conventional verse forms , and his quest to find proof of God's work in nature all mark him as quintessentially Victorian. Of all his sonnets that I have read, I was very impressed with "God's Grandeur."
"The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shinning from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?" (page 774, lines 1-4)
The author begins with the metaphor of God's grandeur as an electric force as indicated by the word "charged." It was a world through which God's presence runs like an electric current becoming visible and occasionally flashes out in ways that are brilliant as the effect of shaken "shook foil" giving off broad glares. The author then spoke about God's presence as the "ooze of oil crushed." Here was an image of oil being pressed out , representing another kind of richness where build-up pressure eventually results in overflow. The poet then continues by saying, giving all these proofs of God's presence in the world, why do men fail to heed God's divine authority, "his rod." This reminds me of today's society. There are so many things showing proof of God's existence, the very reason we are alive and breathing at this moment, yet people in our society still insist that there is no God.
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod." (page 775, lines 5-8)
In these lines the author then describes the state of human life and human labor in his time and what was expected in the future. Humans have neglected God which translates into our neglect of nature and the environment with "trade", suggesting building industries and our work, "toils." This reminds me of all the natural beauty and landscape being ruined when we clear the land to build our factories and industries. The author then uses the words "nor can foot feel, being shod," to suggest that the very shoes that we wear is an indication of our disconnection with nature.
"And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And through the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs-
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings." (page 775, lines 9-14)
In the lines mentioned above, the author tells us that in spite of all that we have done, nature does not cease from offering up its grandeur. This renewal can be seen in the way morning always awaits after the night. "Spring" testifies of the continual renewing power of God's creation bringing new birth and newness of life. This reminds me of the creation story in which God made everything new from nothing. The author then finishes the sonnet telling us that this constant regeneration is the Holy Ghost, God, who guards the potential of this world just like a mother hen who broods over her chickens.
"The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shinning from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?" (page 774, lines 1-4)
The author begins with the metaphor of God's grandeur as an electric force as indicated by the word "charged." It was a world through which God's presence runs like an electric current becoming visible and occasionally flashes out in ways that are brilliant as the effect of shaken "shook foil" giving off broad glares. The author then spoke about God's presence as the "ooze of oil crushed." Here was an image of oil being pressed out , representing another kind of richness where build-up pressure eventually results in overflow. The poet then continues by saying, giving all these proofs of God's presence in the world, why do men fail to heed God's divine authority, "his rod." This reminds me of today's society. There are so many things showing proof of God's existence, the very reason we are alive and breathing at this moment, yet people in our society still insist that there is no God.
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod." (page 775, lines 5-8)
In these lines the author then describes the state of human life and human labor in his time and what was expected in the future. Humans have neglected God which translates into our neglect of nature and the environment with "trade", suggesting building industries and our work, "toils." This reminds me of all the natural beauty and landscape being ruined when we clear the land to build our factories and industries. The author then uses the words "nor can foot feel, being shod," to suggest that the very shoes that we wear is an indication of our disconnection with nature.
"And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And through the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs-
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings." (page 775, lines 9-14)
In the lines mentioned above, the author tells us that in spite of all that we have done, nature does not cease from offering up its grandeur. This renewal can be seen in the way morning always awaits after the night. "Spring" testifies of the continual renewing power of God's creation bringing new birth and newness of life. This reminds me of the creation story in which God made everything new from nothing. The author then finishes the sonnet telling us that this constant regeneration is the Holy Ghost, God, who guards the potential of this world just like a mother hen who broods over her chickens.
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