How Are Lawrence And Stafford Alike

D. H. Lawrence, an English author, and William Stafford, an American writer, lived and wrote at different times but their chosen subjects were often similar. “Piano” written by D. H. Lawrence and “Traveling through the Dark” by William Stafford show remarkable similarities and differences in their experiences and emotions. Although Lawrence and Stafford are both respected poets, their writing styles, and expectations for readers differ significantly. While Lawrence maintains a feeling of nostalgia and remembrances to keep the reader’s attention, Stafford’s pervasive structure includes a bit of darkness and suspense for his readers. These astute writers are similar in many ways, but they also have significant differences represented in
their messages and delivery methods within the poems. Lawrence and Stafford were rebels in the literary field. One of Lawrence’s most famous novels, Lady Chatterley’s Lover defied censorship standards, and America banned it until the late 1950’s. “Piano” does not fit into the same mold, it is a sentimental and loving poem. Critics often refer to Stafford as a pacifist and a conscientious objector during the war. “Traveling through the Dark” follows the general style used in his poetry. He often delivers messages that are direct and bold. Each poet wrote using deceptively simple language and ideas. Upon looking at these two poems, the reader automatically sees fundamental differences. In spite of that, once read and analyzed, the similarities become apparent. Even though they share similarities, each has a unique style and feeling. The authors’ use of tone and language has created several differences in the poems. Both poets use everyday language, making them easily understood by the reader. Each writer becomes a storyteller, and the poems are of similar length. “Piano” has twelve lines while “Traveling through the Dark” has 18 lines. The poets serve as narrators in their writings and use a conversational style of writing. However, similarities aside, these poems are different in content and meaning. “Traveling through the Dark” establishes a graphic mood of darkness and conflict. The mind and heart are in conflict. In the narrator’s mind, he must accept a sense of responsibility and move the dead deer from the side of the road, but in his heart, he has great compassion for the unborn fawn. In contrast, Lawrence establishes mood by having the narrator reminisce about his childhood. “Piano” is a poem which focuses on the conflict between present experiences and memories from childhood. Therefore, the two works offer very different tones. “Piano” has a nostalgic, sentimental and melancholic tone on the other hand, “Traveling through the Dark” provides a feeling of sympathy, sorrow, and compassion. In both poems, the clear choice of words and imagery establishes the tone. When describing a scene on a dark, lonely road, Stafford’s words give the reader the perception that the poem is scary.
To that end, he writes, “Traveling through the dark I found a deer dead on the edge of the road,” (1). Then he continues to avoid the use of simple terms by not saying the deer is pregnant, but instead, he says “I dragged her off; she was large in the belly” (8). He probably employed this technique and choice of words to soften or sugarcoat what he was about to do, “…pushed her over the edge into the river” (18). Stafford’s imagery leaves the reader with the view of the dead deer and live fawn rolling down into the river amplifying the grossness of the ordeal. The poem expresses the struggle of dealing with a tragic event and the anxiety experienced. As stated by Greiner, “…his manner of choosing, ordering, and arranging his words contributes to the success of the poem. The speaker’s actions move him and the reader to a closer appreciation of the darkness and anxiety we are all traveling through”
(1017). The narrator begins the poem “Traveling through the Dark” by telling the reader he is driving at night. In the first stanza, the reader learns about the dead deer in the road, and almost immediately the narrator decides to push the deer over the side of the road. The narrator eventually decides the fawn is still alive, saying to the reader, “never to be born” (11). At the end of the poem, the narrator begins to focus on his car with the flickering parking lights. Also, in the last stanza, the narrator removes the deer from the road. Alternatively, in the poem “Piano” the author invokes passion and emotions by reminiscing about his childhood.
By using words like “tingling,” “tinkling,” “boom,” and “appassionato” to describe the sounds being made by the piano, he chooses to use words that give the reader a vivid description of the sounds. The sweet music reminds him of his mother and his childhood. Lawrence’s use of imagery through the line “To the old Sunday evenings at home, with winter outside and hymns in the cosy parlour [sic], the tinkling piano our guide,” presents a sharp image of a mother singing in a warm parlor in contrast with the chilly night outside. The narrator returns to his boyhood with fond memories. The poem suggests the simplicity and innocence of childhood. Lawrence portrays the intricate workings and dealings of the human heart in such an elegant, yet simple way. “Sentiment is controlled through nearness, concreteness, and coherence. Lawrence’s control is aided by rhyme and rhythmic originality” (Pritchard 578). The author’s sentimentality and reminiscence seem to show the reader a part of his personality. “Piano” begins with a woman singing and it reminds the reader of a past time. The narrator can see himself as a child sitting at his mother’s feet, taking him back to a happy time. Then in the second stanza, the narrator says the song takes him to his childhood and to a nostalgic time. The narrator recalls the cold Sunday weather experienced in winter. As the song becomes
louder in the third stanza, the narrator tries not to show his emotions. However, he does cry for the child of the past. This issue, still faced by some men in today’s society, offers comfort as more people learn to show their feelings. Analyses of the two poems, “Piano” and “Traveling through the Dark,” reveals several similarities and differences between writers in style and methods. The poem “Traveling through the Dark” includes insights into nature and emotions. Stafford ends his poem by stating “I thought hard for us all -- my only swerving --, then pushed her over the edge into the river” (17-18) thus, allowing the reader to know there was some hesitation. Ironically, Lawrence concludes “Piano” with a flood of fond remembrances of childhood. Both authors maintain the interests of the reader with descriptive language, easily understood ideas and vivid images. “Traveling through the Dark” discloses a theme of darkness, death, and loneliness, and in contrast, the theme of “Piano” is fond, emotional memories of a boy. In the poems, Lawrence found all is well with the world while Stafford concluded the world is a safer place. Clear and concise language keeps the reader focused on content and details. The work of both authors has shown similarities and differences. Each poet unquestionably indicates his message and delivery methods within the poems. Lawrence’s story includes great sentimentality and warmth while Stafford gives the reader a lesson in life, leaving little to the reader’s imagination.