In the poem Ozymandias, a (presumably) Greek person has encountered the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II. Ramses describes the things that he accomplished during his rule and many of the things that still exist. It does seem though, that Ramses is despairing over the things that haven't lasted so long, over the decayed remnants of his buildings that are seen over the miles and miles of sand. Ramses refers to two stone legs that apparently still stand, along with several half destroyed items.
The imagery in the poem suggests that Ramses is looking back on his rule and on his empire and seeing all the wonderful things he had done and built and the territory he conquered and is seeing that most of it has decayed.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Symbolism in Robert Browning, "Prophyria's Lover"
In Robert Browning, “Propyrira’s Lover”, the use of symbolism is spread throughout the poem with the most focus on the yellow hair, the storm, and the eyes.
Yellow hair is the most memorable symbol in the poem, and the deranged speaker refers to it repeatedly. Does he have a hair fetish? Why does he choke her with her own hair? Why not a pillow or his hands? He is really messed up.
Line 13: She untied her hat and let the damp hair fall. There is no accident that he uses the word “fall”. Fallen, back in the time period this poem was written, implied sin, so it is implying that by going alone to see him, she is ready to take the next step, by being alone with him.
Line 18: All her yellow hair displaced, this is the first time he refers to it as yellow. Yellow back then was associated with angelic purity and children.
Line 20: And spread, o’er all, her yellow hair. This is the second time, in three lines that he has talked about the yellow hair; he seems just a bit obsessed with it.
Line 38-41: The speaker takes all of Porphyria’s hair, wraps it three times around her throat, and strangles her. Is her “fall” from purity, symbolic of her sin, and why he decides to kill her?
Maybe or maybe not, there are many ways to look at Robert Browning and his interpretations.
The speaker of “Porphyria’s Lover” opens by describing the storm outside. It is like the weather has a mind of its own and it is speaking to him directly; and it sets the tone of the poem.
Line 2: The words “sullen” and “awake” personify the weather. The wind can’t feel “sullen”, and it wasn’t asleep before it picks up.
Line 3: Feeling “spite”, isn’t why the wind tears up the trees.
Line 4: Now it is the lake’s turn to be brought to life. You can’t really “vex” or irritate a body of water no matter how hard you try. Nature is at work here.
Line 7: Porphyria somehow has power to turn off the storm as soon as she comes in, as if she can have that type of power. It isn’t spoken, but heavily implied.
Even though there isn’t much talking in this poem, the eyes say a lot in “Porphyria’s Lover”, and here is what they are saying.
Line 31-32: Be sure I looked up at her eyes, and he saw at that moment how happy and proud she was of him, and that she worshipped him. Her eyes said it all to him.
Line 43-44: The speaker is clearly deranged now when he says, “As a shut bud that holds a bee, I warily oped her lids: again. He uses a bizarre simile. Is he afraid of getting stung by her eyes when he opens them again? There is also use of alliteration (the b sound in bud, and then in bee) that connects the words bud and bee.
Line 45: Laughed the blue eyes without stain. Eyes don’t laugh by themselves, and what type of stain was he expecting? I would expect the eyes to have become bloodshot, if strangled, or some sign of struggle. Is he saying that she is pure once more and Porphyria’s sin is now gone? Or he has no sin, since you can’t see any stain is visible on her eyes, so he is in the clear?
Kara Carpenter
Yellow hair is the most memorable symbol in the poem, and the deranged speaker refers to it repeatedly. Does he have a hair fetish? Why does he choke her with her own hair? Why not a pillow or his hands? He is really messed up.
Line 13: She untied her hat and let the damp hair fall. There is no accident that he uses the word “fall”. Fallen, back in the time period this poem was written, implied sin, so it is implying that by going alone to see him, she is ready to take the next step, by being alone with him.
Line 18: All her yellow hair displaced, this is the first time he refers to it as yellow. Yellow back then was associated with angelic purity and children.
Line 20: And spread, o’er all, her yellow hair. This is the second time, in three lines that he has talked about the yellow hair; he seems just a bit obsessed with it.
Line 38-41: The speaker takes all of Porphyria’s hair, wraps it three times around her throat, and strangles her. Is her “fall” from purity, symbolic of her sin, and why he decides to kill her?
Maybe or maybe not, there are many ways to look at Robert Browning and his interpretations.
The speaker of “Porphyria’s Lover” opens by describing the storm outside. It is like the weather has a mind of its own and it is speaking to him directly; and it sets the tone of the poem.
Line 2: The words “sullen” and “awake” personify the weather. The wind can’t feel “sullen”, and it wasn’t asleep before it picks up.
Line 3: Feeling “spite”, isn’t why the wind tears up the trees.
Line 4: Now it is the lake’s turn to be brought to life. You can’t really “vex” or irritate a body of water no matter how hard you try. Nature is at work here.
Line 7: Porphyria somehow has power to turn off the storm as soon as she comes in, as if she can have that type of power. It isn’t spoken, but heavily implied.
Even though there isn’t much talking in this poem, the eyes say a lot in “Porphyria’s Lover”, and here is what they are saying.
Line 31-32: Be sure I looked up at her eyes, and he saw at that moment how happy and proud she was of him, and that she worshipped him. Her eyes said it all to him.
Line 43-44: The speaker is clearly deranged now when he says, “As a shut bud that holds a bee, I warily oped her lids: again. He uses a bizarre simile. Is he afraid of getting stung by her eyes when he opens them again? There is also use of alliteration (the b sound in bud, and then in bee) that connects the words bud and bee.
Line 45: Laughed the blue eyes without stain. Eyes don’t laugh by themselves, and what type of stain was he expecting? I would expect the eyes to have become bloodshot, if strangled, or some sign of struggle. Is he saying that she is pure once more and Porphyria’s sin is now gone? Or he has no sin, since you can’t see any stain is visible on her eyes, so he is in the clear?
Kara Carpenter
Irony in "Porphyria's Lover"
"Porphyria's Lover" by Robert Browning has a lot of dramatic irony laced throughout the poem. Browning exerts a sense of passion and love in the beginning of the poem and turns it all around by the end. This poem is about a man that has his lover come to him. He feels very strongly about Porphyria and wishes she would love him in return instead of just being his lover. "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 32-35) Here, this man has finally gotten what he wanted after all this time. But, the question is, does he really want her now?
When emotions are toyed with, people can easily snap and do some selfish and crazy acts of revenge. "That moment she was mine, mine, fair, Perfectly pure and good: I found A thing to do, and all her hair In one long yellow string I wound Three times her little throat around, And strangled her. No pain felt she; I am quite sure she felt no pain." (36-42) So, he did indeed snap. It seems as if he did love her but was sick of the way she treated him perhaps. He wanted to end it for good and that's exactly what he did.
There is a sense of guilt but major relief here too. "I propped her head up as before, Only, this time my shoulder bore Her head, which droops down upon it still: The smiling rosy little head, So glad it has its utmost will, That all it scorned at once is fled, And I, its love, am gained instead!" (49-55) He feels so much better now. Maybe because Porphyria told many lies and hurt him or lost his trust somehow. Whatever it may be, there is now a weight lifted from his shoulders.
This poem is very dramatic and has many twists throughout it. "And thus we sit together now, And all night long we have not stirred, And yet God has not said a word!" (58-60) Here the irony evolves with him holding her lifeless body and relating God to the situation. This man will be judged for his actions, but right now he doesn't care. He is with his former lover Porphyria in utter silence; this is the way he wanted it.
When emotions are toyed with, people can easily snap and do some selfish and crazy acts of revenge. "That moment she was mine, mine, fair, Perfectly pure and good: I found A thing to do, and all her hair In one long yellow string I wound Three times her little throat around, And strangled her. No pain felt she; I am quite sure she felt no pain." (36-42) So, he did indeed snap. It seems as if he did love her but was sick of the way she treated him perhaps. He wanted to end it for good and that's exactly what he did.
There is a sense of guilt but major relief here too. "I propped her head up as before, Only, this time my shoulder bore Her head, which droops down upon it still: The smiling rosy little head, So glad it has its utmost will, That all it scorned at once is fled, And I, its love, am gained instead!" (49-55) He feels so much better now. Maybe because Porphyria told many lies and hurt him or lost his trust somehow. Whatever it may be, there is now a weight lifted from his shoulders.
This poem is very dramatic and has many twists throughout it. "And thus we sit together now, And all night long we have not stirred, And yet God has not said a word!" (58-60) Here the irony evolves with him holding her lifeless body and relating God to the situation. This man will be judged for his actions, but right now he doesn't care. He is with his former lover Porphyria in utter silence; this is the way he wanted it.
My Last Duchess, the tone of the Duke
My Last Duchess
In the poem,” My last Duchess”, by Robert Browning, the Duke comes across as an arrogant man. I can picture him in my mind, a man born and raised knowing he was a duke, and demanding respect and lording down his authority. Most would not dare say anything to him, but yes sir. He, with his 900 year old name felt an entitlement not only to his name, but he also commanded and expected his Duchess to be beautiful for all to see, yet loyal to only him. When he says,”She looked on, and her looks went everywhere” (page 703), you could infer that he felt betrayed by this. He wanted her all to himself, and for others to envy.
He is talking to a Count’s secretary; telling him what he is demanding in his future wife. The Duke wants her to be beautiful, but have eyes only for him, and to be very demure in her manner; no flirting or blushing for all to see. Basically he wants an ornament on his arm. His tone seems to say it all, without saying much of anything. A great example of this is when he says, “I gave commands, then all smiles stopped altogether.”(Page 703) When his Duchess didn’t live up to his expectations, he gave the orders to have her permanently silenced. His words are golden; he can afford to do whatever he pleases, so when his Duchess no longer pleased him with her unacceptable behavior he had her disposed of, just like she is an object that is easily discarded. At the end of the poem, he says, “Though his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed at starting, is my object.” (Page 704) The Duke has clearly not learned a thing; he still thinks his Duchess is an object, meant to be set upon a mantle for all to observe, and to do her duty, which is only to please him. (Page 704)
Robert Browning, does a good job in setting up the tone and summing up how Duke’s felt that the world was at their command and all should bow down to them.
Kara Carpenter
In the poem,” My last Duchess”, by Robert Browning, the Duke comes across as an arrogant man. I can picture him in my mind, a man born and raised knowing he was a duke, and demanding respect and lording down his authority. Most would not dare say anything to him, but yes sir. He, with his 900 year old name felt an entitlement not only to his name, but he also commanded and expected his Duchess to be beautiful for all to see, yet loyal to only him. When he says,”She looked on, and her looks went everywhere” (page 703), you could infer that he felt betrayed by this. He wanted her all to himself, and for others to envy.
He is talking to a Count’s secretary; telling him what he is demanding in his future wife. The Duke wants her to be beautiful, but have eyes only for him, and to be very demure in her manner; no flirting or blushing for all to see. Basically he wants an ornament on his arm. His tone seems to say it all, without saying much of anything. A great example of this is when he says, “I gave commands, then all smiles stopped altogether.”(Page 703) When his Duchess didn’t live up to his expectations, he gave the orders to have her permanently silenced. His words are golden; he can afford to do whatever he pleases, so when his Duchess no longer pleased him with her unacceptable behavior he had her disposed of, just like she is an object that is easily discarded. At the end of the poem, he says, “Though his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed at starting, is my object.” (Page 704) The Duke has clearly not learned a thing; he still thinks his Duchess is an object, meant to be set upon a mantle for all to observe, and to do her duty, which is only to please him. (Page 704)
Robert Browning, does a good job in setting up the tone and summing up how Duke’s felt that the world was at their command and all should bow down to them.
Kara Carpenter
Theme in Shelley's "Ozymandias"
In Shelley’s poem “Ozymandias” the author establishes the theme “nothing lasts” by using specific imagery, speaker’s voices, and by contrasting this fact with the idea that some things stand the test of time. Our unnamed speaker begins by recounting the story of a “traveler from and antique land” (line 1), in which the traveler tells of the ruins of an ancient statue that bears the resemblance of King Ramses II. Using the main speaker’s recollection of the traveler’s view of the sculpture sets the initial tone of the poem and creates the case for the authors theme on more than one level.
The traveler’s words have dual meaning when describing the statue, telling of the monument and the legacy of the leader which it represents; “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone” (2); “Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown / And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command” (4-5). Shelley conveys a tone of greatness and power associated with the once mighty statue and the civilization and king for which it stood, yet at the same time shows how this prominent ode to power crumbled at the hands of time. The author once again reinforces this; “’My name is Ozymandias, king of kings / Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!’ / Nothing besides remains” (10-12). Shelley uses situational irony to deliver his message that power, over time, fades as do the accomplishments associated with it even for the most powerful of men.
In contrast to this the poet asserts that some things do remain after the effects of time, and in doing so offers a view of the poet also. In line 5 the physical description of the statue is finished by the traveler, leading to a compliment of the sculptor, “Tell that its sculptor well those passions read / Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things” (6-7). This passage shows that even after its destruction the craftsmanship with which the monument was constructed is still apparent, and the skill of the artisan must have been great indeed to capture the emotion of a man so enraptured by power. Here the poet makes a point about all works of art; Shelley wants us to see beyond the greatness of the king for which the statue was erected, and appreciate the beauty of the thing itself, not what should be represented. His main contention being that when a craftsman’s heart and soul is poured into a work, its construction is a thing of beauty and will outlive “The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed” (8).
The traveler’s words have dual meaning when describing the statue, telling of the monument and the legacy of the leader which it represents; “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone” (2); “Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown / And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command” (4-5). Shelley conveys a tone of greatness and power associated with the once mighty statue and the civilization and king for which it stood, yet at the same time shows how this prominent ode to power crumbled at the hands of time. The author once again reinforces this; “’My name is Ozymandias, king of kings / Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!’ / Nothing besides remains” (10-12). Shelley uses situational irony to deliver his message that power, over time, fades as do the accomplishments associated with it even for the most powerful of men.
In contrast to this the poet asserts that some things do remain after the effects of time, and in doing so offers a view of the poet also. In line 5 the physical description of the statue is finished by the traveler, leading to a compliment of the sculptor, “Tell that its sculptor well those passions read / Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things” (6-7). This passage shows that even after its destruction the craftsmanship with which the monument was constructed is still apparent, and the skill of the artisan must have been great indeed to capture the emotion of a man so enraptured by power. Here the poet makes a point about all works of art; Shelley wants us to see beyond the greatness of the king for which the statue was erected, and appreciate the beauty of the thing itself, not what should be represented. His main contention being that when a craftsman’s heart and soul is poured into a work, its construction is a thing of beauty and will outlive “The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed” (8).
Barbie Doll
To flip the poem Barbie Doll to a man's persona, I would change the title to GI Joe. It essentially houses the same aspects of Barbie Doll, only in the social condition of the male sex. The GI Joe represents strength, dexterity, courage and smarts. Where the female is supposed to be thin, and beautiful with perfect bodily distribution and gorgeous hair, a GI Joe doll is handsome, tall, lean and muscular. To reflect other socially acceptable and expected aspects of males, I would use the diction of words like Varsity, Protector, and possible some phrases like "taking out the trash" and "bringing home the bacon." I enjoy looking at this from both angles, because while women do have a lot put on their shoulders with the gorgeous models and everything being about image, young and old men have the same thing going for them. Many young men are always hearing things like" You are a winner, NOT a loser." Not with the loving authoritative voice of a parent or friend though. It's just as hard for men to meet the expectations put upon that as it is for women.
Ozymandias'
The theme that nothing remains in the short poem, Ozymandias' is apparent throughout quite a few lines. In line 10, Ozymandias exclaims "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings, Look on my woks, ye mighty, and despair!" It implies that Ozymandias thought that he was the ruler and that he would reign forever, but from the beginning to the end of the poem, all that he had has perished. Throughout the poem are words like sunk and decay and wreck which imply to me that Ozymandias has become but a mere thought, and that his work has perished with time. In the last two lines of the poem, "Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, The lone and level sands stretch far away." It paints a picture in my mind that everything that Ozymandias built, has become nothing but a wreckage in the sand. Nothing left of the ruler but a pile of rubble. The one thing to outlast his work were merely his words. "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings!" but he had nothing left to show for it but a mass of decay.
Monday, March 29, 2010
"Barbie Doll"
This poem is obviously written to appeal to women. It describes very clearly the struggles that most young girls go through on their journey to become a woman. It would be a very different poem however, if it were written with young men in mind. "Barbie Doll" focuses on a girl struggle with how her physical appearance is. Many young men do not have issues with things like a "great big nose and fat legs" (6). For boys, it would be more about acheiving something having to do with athletics I think. Boys can feel so much pressure to excel at sports and be the best. They also may have some pressure to get girls and do tough "manly" things. I can imagine that boys would be very mean to other boys that don't live up to those standards. In high school, I remember that the boys who werent very good at getting girls would be teased endlessly. I think that if this poem was written about a boy, the diction should be just about the same. The formal style suits the seriousness of this poem well. I can see throwing a little informality in however, because thats how young men talk.
"My Last Duchess"
The speaker in "My Last Duchess" does not sound like a very nice man. It seems to me that he is much like many other men who thought they were important back in those days. There seems to be many stories of kings or dukes trying to take control of the people around them, like their wives, and then doing horrible things to them if they are not happy. Although the duke is not a very nice man, he may be a very smart man. He uses his words very well to tell his story while letting the listener think that he isn't bragging about anything. He pretends to be a very happy, good natured man but some of his true character is showing through.
The duke is telling this story to a man who is there trying to arrange a marriage for the duke. The duke may be trying to impress him with his words and the story. It also may be a sort of warning for his future wife. The duke believed that his wife was acting inapropriately. He did not want her to give any person the attention that he felt he deserved for "My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name" (33). He let the man know that he made the behavior stop using force "then all the smiles stopped together" (46). He was probably very proud of what he had done.
The duke is telling this story to a man who is there trying to arrange a marriage for the duke. The duke may be trying to impress him with his words and the story. It also may be a sort of warning for his future wife. The duke believed that his wife was acting inapropriately. He did not want her to give any person the attention that he felt he deserved for "My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name" (33). He let the man know that he made the behavior stop using force "then all the smiles stopped together" (46). He was probably very proud of what he had done.
Barbie Doll
"Barbie Doll" by Marge Piercy is a poem that describes the troubles that almost all young girls face sometime throughout the years. In a society that is constantly judging woman about their weight, clothing, career, children and beauty, it's no wonder why so many girls grow up to have disorders and commit suicide. Now, flipping this around and looking at men from a social view, things are a bit different but a lot the same too. If this poem were to be based on boys growing up, I may call it "GI Joe" or "Transformers" to show the strength that boys gain over time. I would include the different obstacles that boys face in order to become young men. Boys have an obligation to impress girls, keep good grades, have nice clothes, have tons of friends, be a great athlete and all along look sharp while doing it. Boys aren't judged so much on their weight as girls but will unfortunately face sarcastic remarks from classmates if this is the case.
I had two friends that committed suicide while growing up, one female and one male. The crazy thing is, they were both over popularity and impressing the opposite sex. It's sad to see how cruel this world is on growing teenagers. But, in reality it's both females and males that have to overcome serious self esteem issues that are faced daily.
I had two friends that committed suicide while growing up, one female and one male. The crazy thing is, they were both over popularity and impressing the opposite sex. It's sad to see how cruel this world is on growing teenagers. But, in reality it's both females and males that have to overcome serious self esteem issues that are faced daily.
Ozymandias
"Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley portrays a theme that nothing lasts. Anyone would think that of all the items that can last, a statue should stand up strong to pretty much anything. But, on this decaying statue, there were words; "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty and despair! Nothing besides remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away. (Shelley) Ozymandias thought that after a great king like himself died, this statue would live on forever in his memory. Little did he know, that over time even statues begin to decay and this once known landmark would soon be forgotten.
The thought and memories of people live on forever. Regardless of a statue or significant artifact, memories will always outlast everything around them. Let's just hope were all remembered for the good things we have done.
The thought and memories of people live on forever. Regardless of a statue or significant artifact, memories will always outlast everything around them. Let's just hope were all remembered for the good things we have done.
Ozymandias
Imagery reinforces this poem’s theme by creating a mental image in the reader’s head that there was a statue, built years ago, but as time moves forward, eventually, nothing is left standing. “I met a traveler from an antique land Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone, Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, and wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command…Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare”. (Shelley) This quote gives the reader the image of what the statue was in its past glory, and what it looks like today. Using different speakers in the poem also adds irony to the poem. On the pedestal the words, “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” (Shelley) The creator of the statue wanted to make people fear him as if he were a god. However, as what happens to all things on earth, Ozymandias died, along with his statue which was unable to stand the test of time. The only thing that is able to outlast this poem is time.
Barbie Doll
In the poem “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy, a young girl begins her life like any other young girl would; loving to play with dolls, wanting put on makeup like mom, and playing with miniature ovens and stoves. Unfortunately, as she became older, peer pressure from classmates, friends, and sometimes even parents, began to shape her attitude toward herself. “She went to and fro apologizing. Everyone Saw a fat nose on thick legs…Her good nature wore out like a fan belt. So she cut off her nose and her legs and offered them up.” (Piercy) We have all heard on the radio, seen on T.V. and read in the newspaper and in magazines, we have to look like this, talk like that, or act a certain way in order to fit into society. It really is no different for young men. We experience the same peer pressure and social norms that are displayed in “Barbie Doll”. We are shaped by the kinds of friends we surround ourselves with, and usually end up acting the same as our friends.
If I were to rewrite this essay, I would have to name it “Ken Doll”. I would name it this because the Ken Doll, like the Barbie Doll, epitomizes what a young man, by society’s standards, should look like. According to society, we should all have broad muscular shoulders, a six pack, wavy blond hair, blue eyes, and all around dashing good looks. Unfortunately, we aren’t all like that.
If I were to rewrite this essay, I would have to name it “Ken Doll”. I would name it this because the Ken Doll, like the Barbie Doll, epitomizes what a young man, by society’s standards, should look like. According to society, we should all have broad muscular shoulders, a six pack, wavy blond hair, blue eyes, and all around dashing good looks. Unfortunately, we aren’t all like that.
"Barbie Doll" Re-Write
If one were to pen a poem for men similar to “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy, one could not use the standards of superficial beauty to measure the male experience. Therefore, you would have to pick a different paradigm to measure against; a Greek hero would be a more fitting archetype, one embodying heroism, strength, and standing, all of the things men should ideally represent. This poem would be called “Here Stands Hercules.”
For this to be true to form, the diction of the great Greek poets would have to be used. A scheme similar to Homer’s “Odyssey” and “Iliad” would be more than appropriate as he is a character in the later. Formal diction would, of course, be used to convey the heroic yet ironic tone, contrasting how while a man might wish to be all of the ideals set forth by Hercules, the reality of strength is different than in tales.
The character of Hercules would be a perfect example of what men are expected to be, but should never strive to be. We all know of his parentage, a product of the union of the king of the Olympian gods, Zeus, and his human mother Alcmene. This would be one image to present an unobtainable male ideal; strength and power of a god balanced with the frailty and imperfection of humanity. Next would come the twelve labors and how they relate to the tasks set before men. Many times they take on these labors knowing that they are impossible and that there may be dire consequences should they fail. Then finally the madness of Hercules, where after defeating a great opponent and being a shining example of men, his reward is madness and to destroy the thing he loves most, his family. In true heroic fashion, instead of being exiled by his people, our hero goes into self exile because of his inability to forgive himself and to live up to his own principles, a theme many men can relate to.
For this to be true to form, the diction of the great Greek poets would have to be used. A scheme similar to Homer’s “Odyssey” and “Iliad” would be more than appropriate as he is a character in the later. Formal diction would, of course, be used to convey the heroic yet ironic tone, contrasting how while a man might wish to be all of the ideals set forth by Hercules, the reality of strength is different than in tales.
The character of Hercules would be a perfect example of what men are expected to be, but should never strive to be. We all know of his parentage, a product of the union of the king of the Olympian gods, Zeus, and his human mother Alcmene. This would be one image to present an unobtainable male ideal; strength and power of a god balanced with the frailty and imperfection of humanity. Next would come the twelve labors and how they relate to the tasks set before men. Many times they take on these labors knowing that they are impossible and that there may be dire consequences should they fail. Then finally the madness of Hercules, where after defeating a great opponent and being a shining example of men, his reward is madness and to destroy the thing he loves most, his family. In true heroic fashion, instead of being exiled by his people, our hero goes into self exile because of his inability to forgive himself and to live up to his own principles, a theme many men can relate to.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tone In Porphyria's Lover
The tone in Porphyria’s Lover is a dark, depressing tone. In the very first line one could tell that it was going to be a sad poem. “The rain set early in to-night,” ( Browning, Line 1), generally rain is setting a person up for sadness. As the poem goes on depressing tone does not improve until about 15 lines later and the tone changes to more of a loving or adoring tone as he describes her. Then after line 21 it is back to depressing and dark again, then in lines 31-35 it is a bright and happy tone as “Happy and proud; at last I knew” (Browning line 31) is said it gives the reader a light of brightness for a quick second before the poem goes back to its depressing tone. Then as the poem goes on a sense of possessiveness happens as he talks about how she is all his and then as he is talking about winding her hair around her neck. Overall this poem has a very dark depressing tone and in the end the reader can see why it is so depressing.
Jennifer Haverkamp
Jennifer Haverkamp
Theme in Porphyria's Lover
The theme in Porphyria’s Lover, by Robert Browning, is developed by an alluring name and beginning. There is a terrible storm going on outside, perhaps the reason the speaker seems distraught, like he is contemplating something. “I listened with heart fit to break. When glided in Porphyria; straight” (lines 5 & 6) The speaker was worried his lover would not care enough about him to come out in a storm to see him.
Once she is there he changes his attitude quick. “So, she was come through wind and rain” (line 30). Suddenly the speaker is very sure of himself. He now knows that she loves him. “Happy and proud; at last I knew Porphyria worshipped me; surprise (lines 32 & 33) Now that he is convinced that he has her undivided affection, he doesn’t want it to end. It is too perfect in his eyes to stay this way, so he finds a way to keep her perfect for him. “In one long yellow string I wound Three times her little throat around, And strangled her. No pain felt she” (lines 39 – 41); The speaker has convinced himself that strangling her was the right thing to do and that he caused her no pain.
He also thinks that this is what Porphyria secretly wanted. This way they could always be together. “That all is scorned at once is fled, And I, its love am gained instead” (lines 54 & 55)! The speaker is happy that Porphyria is at his side and convinced that they will now share the perfect love.
The theme in Porphyria’s Lover, by Robert Browning, is developed by an alluring name and beginning. There is a terrible storm going on outside, perhaps the reason the speaker seems distraught, like he is contemplating something. “I listened with heart fit to break. When glided in Porphyria; straight” (lines 5 & 6) The speaker was worried his lover would not care enough about him to come out in a storm to see him.
Once she is there he changes his attitude quick. “So, she was come through wind and rain” (line 30). Suddenly the speaker is very sure of himself. He now knows that she loves him. “Happy and proud; at last I knew Porphyria worshipped me; surprise (lines 32 & 33) Now that he is convinced that he has her undivided affection, he doesn’t want it to end. It is too perfect in his eyes to stay this way, so he finds a way to keep her perfect for him. “In one long yellow string I wound Three times her little throat around, And strangled her. No pain felt she” (lines 39 – 41); The speaker has convinced himself that strangling her was the right thing to do and that he caused her no pain.
He also thinks that this is what Porphyria secretly wanted. This way they could always be together. “That all is scorned at once is fled, And I, its love am gained instead” (lines 54 & 55)! The speaker is happy that Porphyria is at his side and convinced that they will now share the perfect love.
Irony in "Porphyria's Lover"
In “Porphyria’s Lover” by Robert Browning, the poet utilizes irony to convey the theme of the poem. The speaker tells a story of love and passion, but really it is a story about the speaker unnoticeably murdering his lover. As the monologue progresses throughout, it becomes apparent to the reader that the speaker is a psychopathic killer. The speaker first believes that Porphyria is too weak to let go and love him, “Too weak, for all her heart’s endeavour, / To set its struggling passion free” (Browning 720). He then convinces himself that she finally does love him, “Happy and proud; at last I knew/ Porphyria worshipped me; surprise” (720). At this point it is clear that he is an obsessive man because, instead of enjoying the time he is spending with her he ponders what to do to her. The speaker wants to hold her perfection and love forever so he strangles her with her own hair. He assures the silent listener that he did it for a good cause and she felt no pain; “Three times her little throat around, / And strangled her. No pain felt she;” (720). He believes that by murdering her, he is able to make her happy and fulfill “Her darling one wish” (720). It is ironic how the speaker is able to stay calm in a straightforward manner while remaining unaware of his deranged actions. The title of this poem is sarcastic and ironic as well—“Porphyria’s Lover”. It is apparent that he is not her lover, she is his. The speaker has made Porphyria into his lover, forever.
Erika Knutson
Erika Knutson
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Barbie Doll
If I were to rewrite this I would rename it “Ken Doll” just because it would go with the Barbie doll theme and be quite similar to this poem but just about the males rather than females. I never really thought about the pressures a boy might have because I am not a boy, but when I did think about it they have just as much pressure put on them. The pressure isn’t so much about looks as it is with girls I’d say but with strength. They are supposed to like outdoorsy type things and not be sensitive like girls are. They are expected to play with trucks and get dirty. The images I would like to present to the reader would be how men are supposed to be strong and muscular, and that not every man in the world is strong and muscular or likes going outside and doing things.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Ozymandias
The poem “Ozymandias” develops the theme that nothing lasts because it gives more of a depressing tone. It has a sort of sadness about it. The imagery used in this poem that reinforces this theme is when “Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, who’s frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things ( lines 4-7). Those lines give the reader an image of an old statue that has been broken for a long time. The various speakers in this poem give the reader more of a sense as to what is going on, when the poem says “My name is Ozymandieas, king of kings!”( line 10) , you see who the statue is and why it is there. I do believe in this poem the author is saying that stone outlasts life, as stone can be broken and or sink into the ground but it will most likely always be there where as life must come to an end at some point.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
"Barbie Doll"
I wouldn’t have thought that males have the same pressures to look good as females do. However, the Ken Barbie doll has some abs and nice looking biceps, representing the ideal man—strong and handsome. From day one, boys are expected to be boys. They are given Tonka trucks, get to play in mud, and are given guns and ATV’s when they are old enough. However, what if this boy did not want to play in the mud or go hunting? Now he is challenging society, his parent’s expectations, and all social norms. This is much like the peer pressure females face with their appearance. However, males could have more peer pressure haunting them because females are not very often frowned upon if they would rather go hunting than shopping.
If I had to rewrite this poem to reflect the experience of a young man, the title would be “So I don’t like to go hunting?” or something like that. It would be more based on the expectations presented to a young man that happens to be gay. The peer pressure to be masculine would eat him apart and have a bad ending, much like in “Barbie Doll”. I would use informal diction to make the poem be read like a story, just as it is in the female version. This would force the reader to give the poem a dramatic outline and be thought about in all seriousness.
If I had to rewrite this poem to reflect the experience of a young man, the title would be “So I don’t like to go hunting?” or something like that. It would be more based on the expectations presented to a young man that happens to be gay. The peer pressure to be masculine would eat him apart and have a bad ending, much like in “Barbie Doll”. I would use informal diction to make the poem be read like a story, just as it is in the female version. This would force the reader to give the poem a dramatic outline and be thought about in all seriousness.
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