Reading Reflection (a Subaltern's Love Song)
Reading Reflection
ENG125: Introduction to Literature
February 6, 2012
Professor Young
Ashford University
In Literature, poems can often be very difficult for one to comprehend and interpret the author’s perspective. Many people grew only being exposed to the basic “Roses are red, violets are blue” form of poetic expression, so anything that fails to employ simple rhythmic phrases can be somewhat aloof to some people. Poetry is one of the most artistic forms of literature because it influences the author to express big thoughts and imaginations in somewhat of an abbreviated writing style, in contrast to essays, short stories, etc. A Subaltern’s Love Song by John Betjeman is an example of poetry that takes the reader on a journey of music and a love story. It was not until I actually read through the poem once did I realize that the title “A Subaltern’s Love Song” would actually allude to the character of this poem. The context of this poem is most certainly romantic, and indicative of a love story, however the form of the poem actually has a rhythm to it. I am not exactly certain if the author purposefully paralleled the word “song” in the title with music, but it was something that stuck out to me and was one of the things that did capture my interest in this particular poetic work. Due to the fact that I am a one who enjoys reading love stories, my imagination was most certainly ignited by reading this poem. Another thing that particularly stuck out to me about this poem was the use of ambiguity regarding the soldier and the love interest. The author was successful in my opinion with his use of ambiguity to “raise questions and suggest outcomes.” (Clugston, 2010) All of the aforementioned components of “A Subaltern’s Love Song” allowed me to be an active and responsive reader while I was reading this. This poem showed the love interest as the perfectly desirable synthesis of English girlhood -- wholesome, athletic and comfortably off. (Crookston,
ENG125: Introduction to Literature
February 6, 2012
Professor Young
Ashford University
In Literature, poems can often be very difficult for one to comprehend and interpret the author’s perspective. Many people grew only being exposed to the basic “Roses are red, violets are blue” form of poetic expression, so anything that fails to employ simple rhythmic phrases can be somewhat aloof to some people. Poetry is one of the most artistic forms of literature because it influences the author to express big thoughts and imaginations in somewhat of an abbreviated writing style, in contrast to essays, short stories, etc. A Subaltern’s Love Song by John Betjeman is an example of poetry that takes the reader on a journey of music and a love story. It was not until I actually read through the poem once did I realize that the title “A Subaltern’s Love Song” would actually allude to the character of this poem. The context of this poem is most certainly romantic, and indicative of a love story, however the form of the poem actually has a rhythm to it. I am not exactly certain if the author purposefully paralleled the word “song” in the title with music, but it was something that stuck out to me and was one of the things that did capture my interest in this particular poetic work. Due to the fact that I am a one who enjoys reading love stories, my imagination was most certainly ignited by reading this poem. Another thing that particularly stuck out to me about this poem was the use of ambiguity regarding the soldier and the love interest. The author was successful in my opinion with his use of ambiguity to “raise questions and suggest outcomes.” (Clugston, 2010) All of the aforementioned components of “A Subaltern’s Love Song” allowed me to be an active and responsive reader while I was reading this. This poem showed the love interest as the perfectly desirable synthesis of English girlhood -- wholesome, athletic and comfortably off. (Crookston,
References: Peter Crookston. (2011, March 27). Miss Joan Hunter Dunn 's burnishing of Betjeman :FROM THE ARCHIVEAugust 8, 1965: The widow tells Peter Crookston how she came to inspire one of the poet 's most famous works [Scot Region]. Sunday Times,31. Retrieved February 6, 2012, from ProQuest Newsstand Clugston, R.W. (2010). Journey into literature. San Diego, California: Bridgepoint Education Inc