Write as much as you can on the idea of nature and its relationship to art and poetry in 'A Skylark'.
Write as much as you can on the idea of nature and its relationship to art and poetry in 'A Skylark'. In Percy Shelley's 'A Skylark' nature is used to represent an omnipotent and enlightened force that is above everything on earth in every sense. Shelley specifically uses a Skylark to bring across his message of something that is free of desire and void of care showing there to be a strong relationship between nature and art. The reason for this is that Shelley is writing about something that humans do not feel, 'Waking or asleep, Thou of death must deem, Things more true and deep Than we mortals dream,' therefore to get the powerful image of total harmony across Shelley has to use an equally powerful image that the reader can relate too. This comes from nature; nature itself is a mysterious and somewhat unknown force, perfect for illustrating something that is also mysterious and unknown. The Skylark is natures representative, a bird that carries a certain aura due to it rarely being seen yet being heard so clearly, 'And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest,' and 'Thou art unseen, yet I hear they shrill delight,' The alliteration in the first quote is a cleverly emphasized illustration of the birds majestical ability to soar so high and yet still be heard. This firmly establishes early on in the poem the mystery that the skylark projects and later enables
'Romanticism was revolutionary.' In what ways is this statement true or untrue?
'Romanticism was revolutionary.' In what ways is this statement true or untrue? Before any analysis into the notion of Romanticism being revolutionary can be made, it seems necessary to examine the word revolutionary itself. The dictionary states that the adjective revolutionary means 'involving great changes' but the meanings of words can change over time, so surely we cannot be sure that the word revolutionary held the same implications in the 1800's as it does today. A revolution can be seen as a rebellion, or reaction to something. If we take revolutionary to mean a rebellion against existing beliefs and art forms then Romanticism could be viewed as being a reaction to the Age of Reason, enlightenment and neo-classicism. But it is also possible that revolutionary is a distinctly political term and in this case Romanticism could be seen politically revolutionary in that it forced questions to be answered about the monarchy, the government and organised religion amongst other issues. Blake and Wordsworth are two hugely important writers of the Romantic era. Their poems hold great significance, and although sometimes ambiguous, their views seem to encapsulate the anxieties and concerns that the people of this time must have been feeling. Blake and Wordsworth both lived in a time of turmoil and revolution. The effect of the War of American Independence, which ended in 1783,
Illustrate and explain how different poets make use of the traditional imagery of nature in a range of poems you have studied.
GCSE English Literature Coursework Comparative Study Tradition in the Literary Heritage Illustrate and explain how different poets make use of the traditional imagery of nature in a range of poems you have studied. Nature is usually seen as a positive and good thing of the Earth. It is something that is opposite to humans, opposite to cities, opposite to technology and the modern, computer run world. It is normally seen as peaceful. But nature is also used to describe bad disasters which are neither caused by man, nor preventable by man. It is a force which cannot be controlled by humans, it is untameable, and for example earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes are all known as 'natural disasters'. These also are referred to as 'mother nature', as if nature is alive. Nature is also used a lot to describe both good and bad sides of a persons personality. The term 'human nature' has two completely different meanings, good and bad. Human nature can be generous, loving and caring, but also carries a second meaning, selfish, competitive and evil. Nature has been used by many poets and authors as a source of inspiration and symbolism. Nature's symbols and images have been used to express a range of ideas. The theme of nature can be used to help describe human behaviour and emotions, and as a source of inspiration to help draw ideas and help develop them in the poets mind. The
Show how Freud impacted on writing of the 20th century with reference to one novel
ASPECTS OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE III: 1800 TO THE PRESENT DAY. STUDENT ID: 0400077 Show how Freud impacted on writing of the 20th century with reference to one novel. William Golding wrote of his novel "Lord of the Flies" that the theme was an attempt to explore how the defects society are based largely on human nature rather than the structure of civilization. Golding used "Lord of the Flies" to allegorically explain that the architecture of a society depends on the morality of the individual rather than a social or political construction, regardless of its inherent merit or esteem. Golding very carefully and cleverly used children as characters portraying the human race. Traditionally, children are seen as immature and dismissible; they are commonly seen as almost less than human because of their underdeveloped physique and mental capacity. While traditionalists may see it as a poor example, Golding counters that children are fundamentally more representative of human nature. Rather than being oversaturated with societal norms and tendencies like adults, children are original in their desires and thought processes. The children find themselves trapped on an island, isolated from society and civilisation. It is an island sufficient for their survival; there is plenty of fruit and nuts for their consumption, and they are free from predation. And it is in
#3: Describe the character development Thoreau experiences and shares with his readers, and how the symbolism depicted and the elements of the setting contribute to his belief that humans can commune directly with the divine in nature.
#3: Describe the character development Thoreau experiences and shares with his readers, and how the symbolism depicted and the elements of the setting contribute to his belief that humans can commune directly with the divine in nature. Walden, by Henry David Thoreau, is a novel about the natural world. Thoreau attempts to explain the purpose of life and the key to utmost happiness. He gives much advice to his readers, appearing to have figured everything out, however his own character rapidly changes and grows throughout his work. Thoreau often refers to communing with nature as the solution to a peaceful life. Through nature, Thoreau finds many problems can be fixed and if observations are made, life will take on a completely different meaning. Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain. (Thoreau, The Journal of Henry David Thoreau Vol. 1, October 22, 1839) Anne Frank noted in her diary, "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one fell that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature." (Frank, The Diary of Anne Frank, February 23, 1944) This description of the happiness found in nature fits
Christina Rosetti's 'The Triad' - A Woman's Role
Christina Rossetti - A Triad - A Woman's Role During the Victorian period, women did not have many choices in life. Christina Rossetti explores the choices available to women in her poem, 'A Triad'. This is a sonnet about the delimited existence of women in the 19th century: the unmarried whore, the young virginal spinster and the lonely, love-starved married woman. The octave presents us with the three choices of roles for women in the Victorian period. First, there is the role of whore: "... one with lips Crimson, with cheeks and bosom in a glow Flushed to the yellow hair and finger-tips" The image of redness in the words, "Crimson," "glow," and "Flushed" make this a very sensual image representing a sexually active woman in her prime. To be sexually active in the Victorian period, a woman must be married, if not married then she is seen as a whore since women were not allowed to have a sexuality. Any notion that a woman felt sexual desire was frowned upon. It was a taboo and women who failed to abide by the rules of Victorian society could find themselves labelled as insane. The role of the second woman in the sonnet is that of young virginal spinster: "And one there who soft and smooth as snow/ Bloomed like a tinted hyacinth at a show." The musical quality of the sibilance in these lines conveys an image of sweetness and purity. Indeed, this woman's
Compare and contrast Wordsworth's Elegiac Stanzas and Auden's Musee des Beaux Arts. Show the way these poems convey the experience of human suffering. Explain which of the poems you find the most moving and consoling.
Compare and contrast Wordsworth's Elegiac Stanzas and Auden's Musee des Beaux Arts. Show the way these poems convey the experience of human suffering. Explain which of the poems you find the most moving and consoling. When looking at Auden's Musee des Beaux Arts and Wordsworth's Elegiac Stanzas the reader can notice that both poems contain a strong reference to suffering and death but their similar subject matter has been obtained from very different paintings. The reader can also find many points to contrast about the two poems, such as the very personal and romantic style of Wordsworth at a complete contrast to the colloquial and ironic tone of Auden. I will analyse the poems by considering the circumstances of when and why they were written. I will also look at which of the poems I find moving and consoling by looking at the truths behind the poems and the ways in which the poets communicate their ideas. After reading Wordsworth's Elegiac Stanzas and Auden's Musee des Beaux Arts the reader can see many differences and similarities between the two poems. It is noticeable that both poems contain human suffering and loss of life. In the case of Auden, the reader sees that when Icarus drowns, 'everything turns away' and the death is believed to be 'not important', no- one cares. Auden relates this to real life by showing that even if someone dies life '[sails] calmly
The Pulse of Poetry.
2/03/2004 The Pulse of Poetry Nathan Tolkin Imagery is the heart of all poetry; it serves to enrich the plain literate meaning of its words. Imagery is in sense a incomprehensible language defined by a blend of symbol, allegory and myth. These three instruments of imagery bring limitless possibilities of analysis and serves to induce the senses of the human mind. The Bull Moose by Alden Nowlan is abound with strong mythical images and allegorical statements of humanity. The "Prize Cat" by E.J Pratt is a similar poem both in the literate and allegorical sense. Both poems portray a somewhat similar underlying message of human nature but use different methods of the literate to convey it. The literate narrative of "The Bull Moose" is basic and straightforward, it is simply about a "Bull Moose" who has been liberated, and now lives among the great Canadian wilderness "of white spruce and cedar" and "Tamarack Swamps". The Moose becomes trapped by a "pole-fenced pasture" and is tormented by the local people while the young men "pour beer down his throat". The Moose is ultimately shot dead by the wardens who feared he could be dangerous. What underlies the literate is a series of images and symbols, within a large allegorical framework, that depicts a strong message of the horrifying cruelty of mankind, toward each other and the natural world. Nowlan attempts to make a
Chekhov describes 'Uncle Vanya' as "scenes from a country life." How adequate do you find the playwright's definition?
Chekhov describes 'Uncle Vanya' as "scenes from a country life." How adequate do you find the playwright's definition? Seonaid MacLeod VI CRB Chekhov's description of his play 'Uncle Vanya' could at first glance appear to be a controversial view of this tension-filled play. However, when one considers the implications of the playwright's words, one begins to see where he was coming from; although country life is characteristically seen as mundane, it is also a perfect environment for the tension that Chekhov builds up between the characters that breeds from their boredom and pent up frustration. Many of the characters, in particular Sonya and Vanya, take advantage of the slow pace of country life to dramatise their problems and work themselves into a worry about certain aspects of their lives. Through this, tension is built up and the audience can see that Chekhov was not, as one might first have thought, sadly mistaken but actually perfectly correct on many levels when he describes 'Uncle Vanya' as "scenes from a country life." Taking Chekhov's words at their face value, the setting of the play in the country is an extremely important as the characters find themselves isolated in one place together, which provides a perfect basis for breeding tensions. When the Serebryakov asks the other characters to meet with him for a meeting, the arguments that break out there are
The following poem comparisons are from the book "Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Blake".
English Coursework Comparisons: The following poem comparisons are from the book "Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Blake" and I will compare them in the following order: The Divine Image p18 - A Divine Image Introduction p4 - Introduction p30 The Chimney Sweeper p13 - The Chimney Sweeper p37 Infant Joy p25 - The Sick Rose p39 This poem repeatedly talks about God and it fits well in the Innocence part of the book. It uses a few words frequently such as Money, Pity, Peace and Love. They are mentioned in every verse of the poem. In the third verse Blake tells us about these words by saying 'Mercy has a human heart. Pity a human face. And love, the human form divine. And peace, the human dress.' This repetetive series of words show the theme that Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love are attributes both human and divine. The illustration is of a strange flame like growth with the occasional flower coming out from it. At the bottom a man with a halo stands over a man and a woman and looks down on them as if he were God. At the top a woman in a green dress glides along the plant towards some children. It is thought that this plate is the contrary plate to "A Divine Image" which was produced much later in his life during the war with France. "A Divine Image", exhibits the very opposite of the attributes that were described in the Innocence version. Blake shows all his