Analysis of Darkling Thrush by Thomas Hardy Background Analysis of Darkling Thrush by Thomas Hardy – Many poets have written about the end of the year, sometimes with hope, sometimes with despondency. Hardy’s writing is often suffused with gloom and this poem conforms to that trend. The century is coming
Poetry
Analysis of ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge’, by William WordsworthAnalysis of ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge’, by William Wordsworth
Summary The speaker declares the sight in front of him is the most beautiful one on earth. Unless you are a person with no sensitivity, you cannot but be moved by this wonderful vista. This early morning’s beauty is like a vestment that the city drapes itself in. It
Analysis of ‘The Trees’ by Philip Arthur LarkinAnalysis of ‘The Trees’ by Philip Arthur Larkin
Analysis of ‘The Trees’ by Philip Arthur Larkin Analysis of ‘The Trees’ by Philip Arthur Larkin – ‘The Trees’ is written by Philip Arthur Larkin was an English novelist, poet and a librarian. He was born on 9th August 1922 and graduated in English language and literature in 1943. He
Analysis of ‘During Wind and Rain’ by Thomas HardyAnalysis of ‘During Wind and Rain’ by Thomas Hardy
Analysis of ‘During Wind and Rain’ by Thomas Hardy Background Analysis of ‘During Wind and Rain’ by Thomas Hardy – Much of Hardy’s poetry is connected with his wife Emma’s death. He blossomed as a poet following her sudden demise which left him filled with remorse. Gloom and despondence are
Analysis of ‘I Look into My Glass’ by Thomas HardyAnalysis of ‘I Look into My Glass’ by Thomas Hardy
Analysis of ‘I Look into My Glass’ by Thomas Hardy Background Analysis of ‘I Look into My Glass’ by Thomas Hardy – Thomas Hardy was only 57 when he wrote this poem; it is rather disconcerting to read it as it gives the impression of the poet being much older.
Analysis of ‘Sonnet’ by Christina RossettiAnalysis of ‘Sonnet’ by Christina Rossetti
Analysis of ‘Sonnet’ by Christina Rossetti Background Analysis of ‘Sonnet’ by Christina Rossetti – Christina Rossetti was a poet of Victorian England who is now famous for her romantic and devotional poetry. Her family was into literature and painting; her brother Dante Gabriel Rossetti was a painter and poet. Christina
Analysis of ‘Sonnet 116’ by William ShakespeareAnalysis of ‘Sonnet 116’ by William Shakespeare
Sonnet 116: Let me not to the marriage of true minds – William Shakespeare Background This and Sonnet 18 are the most famous in English language. This too has as its subject matter romantic love. But modern commentary on this poem has it that it is not about romantic love
Analysis of ‘First Love’ by John ClareAnalysis of ‘First Love’ by John Clare
First Love – John Clare Background Analysis of ‘First Love’ by John Clare – John Clare was an early 19th-century poet who wrote mostly about nature and lamented the loss of the English countryside and the disruption of the traditional ways of life. Though not very successful as a poet
Analysis of No Buyers by Thomas HardyAnalysis of No Buyers by Thomas Hardy
Background Hardy considered himself primarily a poet. But he delayed writing poetry until his novels, which were a huge success, had brought him financial stability. This poem is one of the few that Hardy wrote that has elements of humour. But the ending has the grimness of most of his
Analysis of ‘Lovers’ Infiniteness’ by John DonneAnalysis of ‘Lovers’ Infiniteness’ by John Donne
Lovers’ Infiniteness – John Donne Background John Donne is most famous for vibrancy of metaphor and language both of which can be seen in this poem. Donne employed paradoxes and puns and fashioned his own poetic metre which was more akin to casual speech than classic poetry. Donne’s love poetry
Analysis of Exposure by Wilfred OwenAnalysis of Exposure by Wilfred Owen
Exposure – Wilfred Owen Background The final version of Exposure was written in September 1918, just a few weeks before Owen died. The theme here too is unnecessary death and suffering in war but the accent here is death by cold rather than by fighting. There is inactivity in the
Analysis of Poem for My Sister by Liz LochheadAnalysis of Poem for My Sister by Liz Lochhead
Poem for My Sister – Liz Lochhead Background Analysis of ‘Poem for My Sister’ by Liz Lochhead – Liz Lochhead was born in Scotland in 1947. She studied art and later taught the subject in schools in Glasgow and Bristol. Liz began her writing career as a poet though she
Analysis of ‘Lion Heart’ by Amanda ChongAnalysis of ‘Lion Heart’ by Amanda Chong
Lion Heart – Amanda Chong Background Amanda Chong wrote Lion Heart when she was only sixteen. It went on to win several prizes at international levels. Metaphorical Inference The poem Lion Heart is about the pride the people of Singapore have in their country. The emblem of the country is
Analysis of On the Departure Platform by Thomas HardyAnalysis of On the Departure Platform by Thomas Hardy
Background Like most of Hardy’s poems, this one is melancholy in tone. It portrays a love that has ended or is soon to end. Hardy was never completely successful in love, and this coupled with his inherent pessimistic attitude, colored much of his poetry. The last stanza is enigmatic in
Analysis of ‘The Clod and the Pebble’ by William BlakeAnalysis of ‘The Clod and the Pebble’ by William Blake
The Clod and the Pebble – William Blake Background Recognition came to Blake rather late, only when he was in his sixties. Blake was an ardent supporter of all radical movements that challenged the existing order in his time. In all his writings he railed against all forms of restrictions.
Analysis of ‘Praise song for my mother’ by Grace nicholsAnalysis of ‘Praise song for my mother’ by Grace nichols
Analysis of ‘Praise song for my mother’ by Grace nichols Background Grace Nichols is a Guyanese poet whose works reflect many cultural influences. Her youth was spent in Guyana, South America where she lived, first in small villages and later in cities. The Caribbean heritage with its strong oral traditions
Analysis of ‘Attack’ by Siegfried SassoonAnalysis of ‘Attack’ by Siegfried Sassoon
Analysis of ‘Attack’ by Siegfried Sassoon Background Analysis of ‘Attack’ by Siegfried Sassoon – Born in 1886 in England, Sassoon was of the best known World War1 poets. In the front, Sassoon became well known for his near suicidal acts of bravery. But repeated exposure to the death of young
Analysis of Neutral Tones by Thomas HardyAnalysis of Neutral Tones by Thomas Hardy
Background Thomas Hardy is best known as a novelist and this fame has long overshadowed his reputation as a poet. Most of his poems are “movingly mournful” as they were written soon after the death of his first wife. Written in 1867, this poem was part of an anthology called