"Lies" can be found on page 925 of the Norton.
In the first five lines of this poem, Collins plays with the word "lie". She uses the meaning as a fib or as a sexual encounter. The question "is it a lie for her to say she laid him" shows the confusion behind affairs. If there is so much confusion and questioning, then why have an affair? Furthermore, the question "if we don't know, do we lie if we say?" imposes a moral dilemna on the reader. Containing information can be considered "lying" but extending the truth could be as well. The last sentence, "if we must lie, let's not lie around" voices Collins' true feelings towards lyring. She is saying that lying takes a lot of effort and can get both parties in trouble, so it is easier to tell the truth. She is also saying that if you are going to lie, you better think of a good story because the secrets will eventually get out.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Language --> "Symphony in Yellow" by Oscar Wilde
"Symphony in Yellow" can be found on page 937 of the Norton.
By the frequent use of the word yellow, I can infer that the season in fall. From this language, I am able to picture my setting, which is important when reading a poem. The yellow bus crawling "like a yellow butterfly" contrasted by the "passer-by [showing] like a little restless midge" voices the speaker's need for happiness. In this case, the color yellow represents happiness and good times to come for the speaker. Furthermore, the the "fog [hanging] along the quay" represents the negativity in the speaker's life. Up until the last stanza, each object is yellow and describes something positive. However, the "pale green Thames [lying] like a rod of rippled jade" shows the speaker slowly coming back to reality. Hard, depressing times are at "[their] feet" while happiness is "across the bridge".
By the frequent use of the word yellow, I can infer that the season in fall. From this language, I am able to picture my setting, which is important when reading a poem. The yellow bus crawling "like a yellow butterfly" contrasted by the "passer-by [showing] like a little restless midge" voices the speaker's need for happiness. In this case, the color yellow represents happiness and good times to come for the speaker. Furthermore, the the "fog [hanging] along the quay" represents the negativity in the speaker's life. Up until the last stanza, each object is yellow and describes something positive. However, the "pale green Thames [lying] like a rod of rippled jade" shows the speaker slowly coming back to reality. Hard, depressing times are at "[their] feet" while happiness is "across the bridge".
Sunday, December 7, 2008
"Morning" by Billy Collins
"Morning" can be found on page 903 of the Norton.
Collins voices his favorite time of day through diction. Describing the rest of the day after morning as a "bother", I can picture the setting that he enjoys most. The "feet on the cold floor" and "buzzing around on espresso" makes me feel like I am in the scene. The fact that nothing occurs in the early morning radiates a calm and soothing vibe. The lack of situation in this setting makes it "the best". Also, the "atlas open on the rug" and the "typewriter waiting for the key of the head" shows that morning is a time of oppurtunity. Collins voices his enthusiasm for the morning with plethora of situational oppurtunities.
Collins voices his favorite time of day through diction. Describing the rest of the day after morning as a "bother", I can picture the setting that he enjoys most. The "feet on the cold floor" and "buzzing around on espresso" makes me feel like I am in the scene. The fact that nothing occurs in the early morning radiates a calm and soothing vibe. The lack of situation in this setting makes it "the best". Also, the "atlas open on the rug" and the "typewriter waiting for the key of the head" shows that morning is a time of oppurtunity. Collins voices his enthusiasm for the morning with plethora of situational oppurtunities.
"A Brook in the City" by Robert Frost
The firm house lingers, though averse to square
With the new city street it has to wear A number in.
But what about the brook that held the house as in an elbow-crook?
I ask as one who knew the brook, its strength
And impulse, having dipped a finger length
And made it leap my knuckle, having tossed
A flower to try its currents where they crossed.
The meadow grass could be cemented down
From growing under pavements of a town;
The apple trees be sent to hearth-stone flame.
Is water wood to serve a brook the same?
How else dispose of an immortal force
No longer needed? Staunch it at its source
With cinder loads dumped down? The brook was thrown
Deep in a sewer dungeon under stone
In fetid darkness still to live and run -
And all for nothing it had ever done
Except forget to go in fear perhaps.
No one would know except for ancient maps
That such a brook ran water. But I wonder
If from its being kept forever under
The thoughts may not have risen that so keep
This new-built city from both work and sleep.
In this poem, Frost contrasts city and country life by focusing on housing. The "firm house" has been moved from a rural setting to a city block where "it has to wear a number". This expresses Frost's distaste towards conformity, which is prominent in cities. However, the brook where the house used to stand by has "strength and impulse". This shows that independent thoughts express strength and take a lot of courage. When the house moved to the city, the brook was "thrown deep in a sewer dungeon" which shows its loss of individuality. Frost is conveying that independence will thrive in a city but not country setting.
With the new city street it has to wear A number in.
But what about the brook that held the house as in an elbow-crook?
I ask as one who knew the brook, its strength
And impulse, having dipped a finger length
And made it leap my knuckle, having tossed
A flower to try its currents where they crossed.
The meadow grass could be cemented down
From growing under pavements of a town;
The apple trees be sent to hearth-stone flame.
Is water wood to serve a brook the same?
How else dispose of an immortal force
No longer needed? Staunch it at its source
With cinder loads dumped down? The brook was thrown
Deep in a sewer dungeon under stone
In fetid darkness still to live and run -
And all for nothing it had ever done
Except forget to go in fear perhaps.
No one would know except for ancient maps
That such a brook ran water. But I wonder
If from its being kept forever under
The thoughts may not have risen that so keep
This new-built city from both work and sleep.
In this poem, Frost contrasts city and country life by focusing on housing. The "firm house" has been moved from a rural setting to a city block where "it has to wear a number". This expresses Frost's distaste towards conformity, which is prominent in cities. However, the brook where the house used to stand by has "strength and impulse". This shows that independent thoughts express strength and take a lot of courage. When the house moved to the city, the brook was "thrown deep in a sewer dungeon" which shows its loss of individuality. Frost is conveying that independence will thrive in a city but not country setting.
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