Laughter In Jack Gilbert's 'A Brief For The Defense'
Laughter Can Combat Sorrow
Though it may seem impossible to find happiness and light in the darkest of situations, the presence of laughter and smiles has the power to make the worst circumstances more tolerable. Analysis of Jack Gilbert’s poem “A Brief For The Defense” and Lisel Mueller’s “The Laughter Of Women” proves laughter’s importance and strength.
Though suffering is inevitable, it is crucial that we use our strength to ensure sorrow does not overcome our lives and prevent us from experiencing joy and happiness. Gilbert acknowledges the difficulties in the world, stating that “sorrow… [and] slaughter [are] everywhere” and that “poor women… / [laugh] together / between the suffering they have known and the awfulness / in their future” …show more content…
If we only focus on the bad, it is likely that …show more content…
Lisel Mueller is another poet who uses her writing to acknowledge the significance of happiness and laughter, especially when she enumerates laughter’s many impacts on humanity. Initially she describes it as “a beautiful white lightness”, a delicate, brightening force, but she then goes on to describe it in an aggressive, violent light saying it “sets fire / to the Halls of Injustice” (Mueller). Lastly, she discusses its curing and healing properties as it “wipes the mist / from the spectacles of the old; / it infects them with a happy flu / and they laugh as if they were young again” (Mueller). Laughter is universal, and its powers can reach everyone in any situation as Mueller proves by acknowledging its positive influence on everyone. Laughter is strong enough to bridge many relational gaps; therefore, its presence is crucial in helping one be happier overall, especially when one replaces negative thoughts with smiling and laughing. Because laugher affects everyone equally, it is an incredibly strong universal force that has the opportunity to influence all humans. Laughter is even so strong that “long before law and scripture” it “[ran] across water that divide[d] / and reconcile[d] two unfriendly shores” assisting in repairing and
Though it may seem impossible to find happiness and light in the darkest of situations, the presence of laughter and smiles has the power to make the worst circumstances more tolerable. Analysis of Jack Gilbert’s poem “A Brief For The Defense” and Lisel Mueller’s “The Laughter Of Women” proves laughter’s importance and strength.
Though suffering is inevitable, it is crucial that we use our strength to ensure sorrow does not overcome our lives and prevent us from experiencing joy and happiness. Gilbert acknowledges the difficulties in the world, stating that “sorrow… [and] slaughter [are] everywhere” and that “poor women… / [laugh] together / between the suffering they have known and the awfulness / in their future” …show more content…
If we only focus on the bad, it is likely that …show more content…
Lisel Mueller is another poet who uses her writing to acknowledge the significance of happiness and laughter, especially when she enumerates laughter’s many impacts on humanity. Initially she describes it as “a beautiful white lightness”, a delicate, brightening force, but she then goes on to describe it in an aggressive, violent light saying it “sets fire / to the Halls of Injustice” (Mueller). Lastly, she discusses its curing and healing properties as it “wipes the mist / from the spectacles of the old; / it infects them with a happy flu / and they laugh as if they were young again” (Mueller). Laughter is universal, and its powers can reach everyone in any situation as Mueller proves by acknowledging its positive influence on everyone. Laughter is strong enough to bridge many relational gaps; therefore, its presence is crucial in helping one be happier overall, especially when one replaces negative thoughts with smiling and laughing. Because laugher affects everyone equally, it is an incredibly strong universal force that has the opportunity to influence all humans. Laughter is even so strong that “long before law and scripture” it “[ran] across water that divide[d] / and reconcile[d] two unfriendly shores” assisting in repairing and