A physical journey which involves the movement from one place to another can have lasting effects on an individual or group which can be mental, emotional, physical, or a combination. The effects and overall impact of a journey will depend on the characteristics of the particular journey undertaken. The composers of different texts all employ a number of different techniques to convey, to the reader, their ideas about a journey and the impact that the journey being taken may have on an individual or group. We see the different techniques employed by composers through Peter Skrzynecki’s Crossing the Red Sea and Immigrants at Central Station, Shirley Geok-lin Lims The Town Where Time Stands Still and The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham.…
For this assignment, the chosen poem was “Rivers/Roads” by Michael Crummey. In this poem, Crummey successfully expresses the difference between individual journey’s through subtle brevity and depth. One of the best aspects of this poem is that it moves the reader to ponder on their journey-- whether on rivers or roads. Within “Rivers/Roads”, there are no similes or metaphors; however, there is literal and figurative imagery, plus symbolism.…
In the text “Late Ferry” Gray expresses his experiences with discovery when his understanding and perceptions on life alter. Gray portrays his view on life when he is observing different stages of the ferries leaving Sydney Harbour. The contrast of the yachts and the late ferry symbolises the simplicity and darkness of life. “Tomato stake patch of the yachts” metaphorically creates an image that the yachts are safely secured. This idea is juxtaposed to the “neon redness” in the water which conjures up ideas of danger. Gray takes the reader on a literal metaphorical journey where he discovers that life is much like the harbour where the yachts safely anchored and secure represent the innocence of life, but eventually we must venture out into the real world just like the ferry heading for the huge dark waters. By contrast, Amy’s understandings and perceptions change through discovering the value of her native and commits to learn the language which is a privilege she had previously denied her grandfather. This is shown when she uses a naïve tone “I don’t think my grandfather understood much English” at the beginning of the text but later her tone is full of a sense of regret and respects her grandfather when she confesses “I’d denied my grandfather the commonest of kindness”. This new area of study will not only renew perceptions and create new understandings but…
‘Moving into the world involves different pathways to new experiences’ could be interpreted in many different ways. In The Story of Tom Brennan by JC Burke, Tom experiences different emotions and situations as he attempts to move into the world when his brother Daniel is involved in a tragic car accident. The image by Image Zoo also shows four different pathways leading into the one tree with branches that lead up into the sky. This picture shows the tree of life and how people can take different paths to experiences. I Measure Every Greif I Meet is a poem by Emily Dickinson that shows the strength a person needs to overcome grief in their lives. The strength comes within the individual and their surroundings. All three of these texts show that moving into the world involves different pathways to new experiences shown through different circumstances, problems and views.…
Upon analyzing the works of Donald Hall and Walt Whitman, one can acknowledge that the two poets share a common admiration for the cyclical nature of life and both express their…
In merely one sitting, a reader of Walt Whitman's piece Calvary Crossing a Ford might have the inclination to interpret the work as a simple depiction of some unknown band of horseman and the aesthetic scenery they encounter on their travels. With an eye that is more attentive to detail, literary elements such as the speaker's tone and Whitman's presentation of detail bring to light a deeper revelation; the Yankees are coming home.…
The speaker generates different moods in the course of the poem by a shift of tone of voice. Although the poem is written in one single stanza, we can clearly see that there is a division between the first half compared to the second half of the poem. There are specific word choice sequences that support the voice shift. The :proofs;, :figures;, :columns;, :charts;, :diagrams; are all words that imply the dry, stale connotation of the lecturer. The lecturer, by :[dividing], and [measuring]; things, turns the speaker :tired and sick;. After this, word choice sequence changes to make the rest of the poem into a dreamier tone. Whitman describes how the speaker :[glides] out; and :[wanders]; off by himself in the :mystical; night to silently gaze up at the stars. With words that offer different connotations, Whitman achieves the immediate effect of how scientific deciphering of nature cannot compare to self- experience and observation.…
Life is the journey, the inevitable journey, and the experiences thoughout life, the journeys within the journey, are the planned and unplanned experiences that change people and are a huge part of a person’s moral and personal growth. In the novella “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad, the physical journey through the Congo is parallel to the inner journey of the main character Marlow. Similarly, the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, relates on both a literal and metaphoric level to the concept of a journey. The individuals’ creation of their own direction on a journey is what leads to the most startling growth. Furthermore, a true journey must always have the unpredictable, because it is through the individual’s response to the unknown that growth occurs.…
The passing of time is a theme that pervades the poetry of famous American Robert Frost, who explores many aspects of the human experience in his poetry. Two poems which are vehicles for his attitude towards the passing of time are “A Leaf-Treader” and “The Road Not Taken”. Both explore the debate between transience and transcendence but display two differing outlooks on these.…
In Walt Whitman’s poem, Song of Myself, I found different key pieces of Whitman’s diction and language to be more in depth and not so cut, black and white. This poem really makes you think by giving you different perspectives of life to wonder about through the use of his words. I have gotten the impression that Whitman really values himself and his beliefs of a good world and being alive in the present is worthwhile to him. His words are very powerful, thoughtful and even strong enough to change somebodies view of how they see the world. Whitman includes inspirational, yet erotic views of how he feels for his soul and the life around him.…
"Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" is a poem about the sharing of experiences. All humans are somehow connected through the common experiences they encounter. It has no rhyme scheme or form and it is end-stopped.…
Whitman used repetition of words and phrases and his word choice portrayed a seemingly optimistic way of life in America. Using words like “singing,” “partying,” and “strong melodious songs” all have a positive air about them, which helps develop the writer’s perspective of America. The numerous occupations named in the poem additionally give a sense of appreciation for the possibilities in America, and gratitude for the ability to work and support a family, and in a sense, accomplish the American dream.…
Both Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emerson believed strongly in originality and personal expression;although the different tactics that they used to get their message across were nothing short of contrasting.In Emerson’s case, he was vehemently opposed to a society that he saw to be oppressive and unimaginative. Emerson was convinced that all of modern human civilization was in collaboration to crush his uniqueness and subjugate him to a life of a faceless cog. “Society is in conspiracy against the manhood of everyone of its members.” (P. 153) Conversely, Whitman regarded the common man with much esteem and favoritism. In his epic poem, “Song of Myself” Whitman spoke of the working class with an unusual favoring and support of their ways and lifestyle. “The sun falls on the crisply hair and mustache, falls on the black of his polish’d and perfect limbs, and I behold the picturesque giant and love him.” (P.173) Whitman encouraged the reader to lead an original and unconfirmed life. He celebrated the common man and tells the reader to be happy with their life and social stature.…
Free Verse – Free verse is a poem that is written without any type of rhyme in it and “A Noiseless Patient Spider” is a perfect example. It doesn’t rhyme, but to make the poem make sense he uses repetition, metaphor, alliteration and personification.…
What is our purpose in life? What makes our environment around us different than everywhere else? Walt Whitman answers this in his poem “Song of Myself” by analyzing the importance of all the small, inconspicuous details of our lives and the connection it has to our Earth. In “Song of Myself”, every small thing (down to the atom) makes up the world and all the people inside of it. Walt Whitman makes it known that the way we live here shapes the earth and everything around us.…