Hopkins was a Victorian poet. He was born into an Anglican family and became a Jesuit priest. By celebrating God in nature, he created the poem God's Grandeur. Hopkins compares the world to a "shining from shook foil"(774) almost like an electrical current. By this, he means that the world gives off a glare like sheet lightning. With God creating such a world, he asks "Why do men then now not reck his rod"(774), how is that men don't take heed to his teachings and the Word?
Everything that God created is beautiful and indispensable. After man has established in this world, we have yet to utilize all the water, dirt, minerals that were provided to us initially.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thomas Carlyle
My favorite reading selection from this author was The Irish Widow from Gospel of Mammonism. The passage is not only sad but is yet filled with Carlyle’s ridicule. This story depicts a poor Irish woman trying to get help from charitable establishments of the city she lived in. She fell extremely ill with typhus fever and no one reached out to help her. Although she claimed that she was their sister, they still will not help her. As a result, she died and seventeen others are infected with typhus and died as well. With her death came the realization that she was in fact human and just like them, despite her poor status.
I assume that in Carlyle's era, the Irish were treated very poorly and inhuman just like he expressed in this passage. From this work, he displayed how society looked down upon the poor class as unequal. I felt that Carlyle is able to direct this message at all of society then and now. Carlyle experienced leaders in England who abandoned the country to democracy and the laissez-faire coptialism (475). In the passage, he mentions how "all government of the Poor by the Rich has long ago been give over to Supply-and-demand, Laissez-faire.."(481). He chose to mimic this line from his own personal experience. Maybe there is some validity to this story. Maybe he feels that this story touches the society as a whole and that the widow in the story is actually the country of England.
From this passage, hopefully society as a whole will learn that whether their neighbor is rich or poor everyone is merely the same and made by the same flesh by God.
I assume that in Carlyle's era, the Irish were treated very poorly and inhuman just like he expressed in this passage. From this work, he displayed how society looked down upon the poor class as unequal. I felt that Carlyle is able to direct this message at all of society then and now. Carlyle experienced leaders in England who abandoned the country to democracy and the laissez-faire coptialism (475). In the passage, he mentions how "all government of the Poor by the Rich has long ago been give over to Supply-and-demand, Laissez-faire.."(481). He chose to mimic this line from his own personal experience. Maybe there is some validity to this story. Maybe he feels that this story touches the society as a whole and that the widow in the story is actually the country of England.
From this passage, hopefully society as a whole will learn that whether their neighbor is rich or poor everyone is merely the same and made by the same flesh by God.
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde, having been born into an unconventional family, lived marjority of his life on stage (828). Wilde was an Aesthete, he forcefully expressed the beauty of art and nature with a great sensitivity. He admired the works of such artists by the names of John Ruskin and Walter Pater. As Ruskin announced that "all good art is moral art" (828), I too believe that Mr. Wilde believed the same thing. In his Preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray, he feels that "The artist is the creator of beautiful things." (846) He makes it known that whatever an artist creates, will in fact be wonderful and only those who are willing to be open minded will appreciate such. He felt that "no artist desires to prove anything." (846) He appeared to be free spirited without feeling the need to take the blame for whatever thoughts or comments may come about from one of his masterpieces. This is totally understandable. The job of an artist is not to tell you what or how to feel. What is published is truly under the discretion of those who read and interrupt the material, they are liable for their own risk if they choose to go beneath the surface of a work to analyze it.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Identity Unveiled: The Little Black Boy by William Blake
I have to admit, there are many different views and sides that can be concluded from this poem. This poem appears to be educational on behalf of the little boy. He seems to acknowledge his race as being black and that he was in fact different on the outside but not on the inside; "And I am black, but O! my soul is white"(line 2, 80). He seems to be longing to be accepted "and be like him and he will then love me."(81) Even though he had the attention of his mother, he wanted attention from others and just to fit in. Similar to how we young people are today. We can have everything thing at home that we may possibly need however, the acceptance by our peers is what seems to matter to us most.
William Blake: The Chimney Sweeper
William Blake does a great job in exploiting the heinous crime of young boys in The Chimney Sweeper. To be a chimney sweeper, young boys who were sold into the business by their poor parents, fulfilled hazardous jobs. They were the only ones petite enough to perform such tasks as cleaning a chimney and by doing so, in the long run experienced permanent health issues or death. Even though chimney sweepers exist today, the difference with this occupation today and yesterday is having the choice to doing such labor. When young boys were sold into this type of business, they did not have the option of being able to play with friends or working. The young gentlemen begins by introducing us readers to Tom Dacre (line 5, 81), who like him, was young and deprived of a sensible childhood. Young Tom dreamed that one day an Angel said to him that if was a good boy, "He'd have God for his father & never want joy." (81) It's sad that one of his main wants was for an earthly father who will take care of him and give him joy. Since that wasn't fulfilled tangibly, the dream gave him a sense of joy in knowing that one day his request for a father would come true.
The Wife of Asdrubal
In contrast to the loving and kind motherly role as portrayed in "The Homes of England", Felicia Hemans describes yet another side; this one being deeper and darker. Having been a deserted daughter and wife of both a father and husband, it is not surprising that she creates such a passage. Metaphorically, Asdrubal parallels the actual representation of how the men in Felicia Hemans' life were not only selfish but inconsiderate.
"'....the mean things thou has done to save thy life shall not avail thee; thou shalt die this instant, at least in thy two children.'"(406) This verse reminds Asdrubal that even though he may feel heroic in saving his own life, the lives of his children will not be spared. This could have been the prime time for him to speak up and stop what was to come. "Fix'd is her eye on Asdrubal, who stands, Ignobly safe, amidst the conquering bands; On him, who left her to that burning tomb, Alone to share her children's martyrdom." (407) In comparison to her husband, she felt that her beloved children were the only noteworthy ones who would die for their country, in a sense dying to save something they loved and cherished.
"Bright in her hand the lifted dagger gleams, Swift from the children's hearts the life-blood streams; With frantic laugh she clasps them to the breast Whose woes and passions soon shall be at rest;" (408). It's hard to pinpoint the nature of the mother howbeit homicidal, retaliation, or compassionate. In the 8th podcast, Dr. Glance asks if we are to consider this nature positive? When considering the lost of a human being, especially a child, there can not possibly be an positive implication delivered. With the modern homicides inflicted upon children by their mothers, you can't help but to wonder "why?" This poem gives me insight on what appears to be a courageous and concerned single mother who refused to let her children suffer.
In conclusion, Ms. Hemans lets us readers know how the absent men in her life failed to put their families on the forefront and protect them. As Asdrubal chose to have his own life spared exclusive to that of his family.
She felt that as a mother the best thing that could be done was treating the children as though they were prized possessions, cherishing their lives, and doing the best to protect them.
"'....the mean things thou has done to save thy life shall not avail thee; thou shalt die this instant, at least in thy two children.'"(406) This verse reminds Asdrubal that even though he may feel heroic in saving his own life, the lives of his children will not be spared. This could have been the prime time for him to speak up and stop what was to come. "Fix'd is her eye on Asdrubal, who stands, Ignobly safe, amidst the conquering bands; On him, who left her to that burning tomb, Alone to share her children's martyrdom." (407) In comparison to her husband, she felt that her beloved children were the only noteworthy ones who would die for their country, in a sense dying to save something they loved and cherished.
"Bright in her hand the lifted dagger gleams, Swift from the children's hearts the life-blood streams; With frantic laugh she clasps them to the breast Whose woes and passions soon shall be at rest;" (408). It's hard to pinpoint the nature of the mother howbeit homicidal, retaliation, or compassionate. In the 8th podcast, Dr. Glance asks if we are to consider this nature positive? When considering the lost of a human being, especially a child, there can not possibly be an positive implication delivered. With the modern homicides inflicted upon children by their mothers, you can't help but to wonder "why?" This poem gives me insight on what appears to be a courageous and concerned single mother who refused to let her children suffer.
In conclusion, Ms. Hemans lets us readers know how the absent men in her life failed to put their families on the forefront and protect them. As Asdrubal chose to have his own life spared exclusive to that of his family.
She felt that as a mother the best thing that could be done was treating the children as though they were prized possessions, cherishing their lives, and doing the best to protect them.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
"The Homes of England" by Felicia Hemans
Felicia Hemans, the epiphany of a "prolific writer"(404) illustrously describes The Homes of England. Despite her highly educated nature which allowed her to receive the sarcastic titles of both "He-Man" and "Mrs. Hewoman's" (404), she refused to neglect the finer things of nature, the home.
The women of the 1700's time era were probably educators, nurturers, and protectors; aside from the ordinary homemakers. This poem is one in which mothers from all walks of life and decades to come can relate. Ms. Hemans writes about how a "woman's voice flows forth in song, or childhoods tale is told" (lines 13and 14, 412). From these lines, it is noted that the woman were educators for their young. As she marvels at the "pleasant land" (line 4, 412) outside the home, also acknowledges the "household love" (line 11, 412) created by her family inside. Ms. Hemans requests that her home, which she created, be protected by those who also love and respect the home as well (line 35, 412).
Due to her own failed marriage and that of her parents, Felicia Hemans appears to be very indepenent. This type of attitude must have been rarely displayed in this time era. Her behavior was emphasized through John Murray's unacceptance of "learned" women (404). I feel that this poem in retrospect, praises women. The initial quote "Where's the coward that would not dare to fight for such a land?"(412) makes me wonder if in fact she is speaking of actual soliders or to the men who were in her life. She could be questioning the integrity of the soliders in defending the land of England or very well questioning the character and the whereabouts of both her husband/father when protection is required for the household.
The women of the 1700's time era were probably educators, nurturers, and protectors; aside from the ordinary homemakers. This poem is one in which mothers from all walks of life and decades to come can relate. Ms. Hemans writes about how a "woman's voice flows forth in song, or childhoods tale is told" (lines 13and 14, 412). From these lines, it is noted that the woman were educators for their young. As she marvels at the "pleasant land" (line 4, 412) outside the home, also acknowledges the "household love" (line 11, 412) created by her family inside. Ms. Hemans requests that her home, which she created, be protected by those who also love and respect the home as well (line 35, 412).
Due to her own failed marriage and that of her parents, Felicia Hemans appears to be very indepenent. This type of attitude must have been rarely displayed in this time era. Her behavior was emphasized through John Murray's unacceptance of "learned" women (404). I feel that this poem in retrospect, praises women. The initial quote "Where's the coward that would not dare to fight for such a land?"(412) makes me wonder if in fact she is speaking of actual soliders or to the men who were in her life. She could be questioning the integrity of the soliders in defending the land of England or very well questioning the character and the whereabouts of both her husband/father when protection is required for the household.
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