Background Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri on 4 April, 1928. She was named Marguerite but her brother Bailey Johnson who could not pronounce it, began calling her Maya. Eventually, she accepted that as her name. Maya had a very disturbed childhood. When she was just three, her
Poetry
Analysis of ‘An elegy for my father’s father’ by James K. BaxterAnalysis of ‘An elegy for my father’s father’ by James K. Baxter
Analysis of ‘An elegy for my father’s father’ by James K. Baxter Background Analysis of ‘An elegy for my father’s father’ by James K. Baxter – Baxter is a New Zealand poet who became famous for his anti-establishment views and alternative lifestyle. His parents came from widely differing backgrounds which
Analysis of ‘Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s Day’ by William ShakespeareAnalysis of ‘Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s Day’ by William Shakespeare
Analysis of ‘Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s Day’ by William Shakespeare Background Critics have found Shakespeare’s sonnets to be tantalizingly mysterious. Nothing is known about the Mr. W.H. to whom the sonnets were dedicated. These have been conjectures aplenty but nothing definite or final is known. All 154
Analysis of ‘A Birthday’, by Christina RossettiAnalysis of ‘A Birthday’, by Christina Rossetti
Analysis of ‘A Birthday’, by Christina Rossetti: Summary In marked contrast to her other love poems, A Birthday by Christina Rossetti, is an exuberant poem that celebrates a fulfilled love that brings great joy. In a series of brilliant and densely beautiful comparisons, the poet says that her heart is
Analysis of Love by George HerbertAnalysis of Love by George Herbert
Background Analysis of ‘Love’ by George Herbert – George Herbert lived during the late 16th and early 17th century and He died early and never enjoyed robust health. Educated at Cambridge University, he could have chosen and got a position at the Court. But surprisingly he chose to be a
Analysis of ‘For Heidi with blue hair’ by Fleur AdcockAnalysis of ‘For Heidi with blue hair’ by Fleur Adcock
Analysis of ‘For Heidi with blue hair’ by Fleur Adcock Background Analysis of ‘For Heidi with blue hair’ by Fleur Adcock – Fleur Adcock was born in New Zealand but spent her early childhood in England. At the end of the Second World War, she went back to New Zealand
Analysis of ‘The Lost Woman’ by Patricia BeerAnalysis of ‘The Lost Woman’ by Patricia Beer
The Lost Woman – Patricia Beer Background Patricia Beer was born into a Plymouth Brethren family in Exeter and the influence of that religious training became one of the forces that shaped her poetry. Devon and its beautiful countryside were other factors of influence. Other significant influences were the passing
Analysis of ‘Dulce et Decorum est’ by Wilfred OwenAnalysis of ‘Dulce et Decorum est’ by Wilfred Owen
Dulce et Decorum Est – Wilfred Owen Background This poem by Wilfred Owen was composed sometime in 1917 and published posthumously in 1920. The title is taken from Latin lines by the poet Horace which means “It is sweet and honorable to die for the fatherland”. Like most of Owen’s
Analysis of ‘The Pine Planters’ by Thomas HardyAnalysis of ‘The Pine Planters’ by Thomas Hardy
Analysis of ‘The Pine Planters’ by Thomas Hardy Background Analysis of ‘The Pine Planters’ by Thomas Hardy – This poem was written by Thomas Hardy to be read in conjunction with the Woodlanders, his novel. The character in the poem is inspired by Marty South who features in The Woodlanders.
Analysis of A Different History by Sujata BhattAnalysis of A Different History by Sujata Bhatt
Analysis of ‘A Different History’, by Sujata Bhatt: The poetess Sujata Bhatt, while writing this poem has given importance to the culture and various religions in India. She has emphasized in her poem by repeating words and questions and thereby making her poem stronger. She writes about Indian traditions, lost
Analysis of ‘Continuum’, by Allen CurnowAnalysis of ‘Continuum’, by Allen Curnow
Summary Allen Curnow is a poet from New Zealand who has contributed much to the recognition of poetry from New Zealand. He trained initially to be a priest like his father but later assailed by doubts turned to journalism instead. He says that his poetry deals with “questions that are