The Nature of Things
The Nature of Things
Michelle Davis
ACI1248F Introduction to Literature
1/17/2013
Using nature to symbolize feelings or thoughts in a poem or short story gives the reader an idea of what the author is describing, but it also gives them a picture to imagine as they read. The Oak by Tennyson might symbolize strength and wisdom and uses simile style to describe an object. The Road not Taken by Frost might symbolize the way certain choices affect our lives and uses a persona to reflect the characters thoughts. Both are poems and use the natural elements to describe how they are feeling or a choice they must make in life. I chose these two because they symbolize things that we all go though in life by describing choices we have to make by using two roads that can be travelled, or by describing an old oak tree to symbolize someone growing and maturing. “Poetry often uses particular forms and conventions to suggest alternative meanings in the words, or to evoke emotional or sensual responses.” (Poetry 2010 para. 3) Devices such as alliteration and rhythm are used to achieve musical or incantatory effects. The use of ambiguity, symbolism, irony, and other stylistic elements of poetic diction often leaves a poem open to multiple interpretations. Similarly, metaphor, simile, and metonymy create a resonance between otherwise disparate images—a layering of meanings, forming connections previously not perceived. (Poetry 2010 para. 3) When an author is describing what a character is going through in a short story, poem or a drama using these layering meanings give the audience or reader another way to envision what they are reading or watching. You could just say a guy was standing at a crossroad and decided to take one way and not the other, but then you would be missing the emotion and the meaning behind the choice he had to make. It reminds us that we will always face choices that will be hard but we must choose and live with the effects of that
Michelle Davis
ACI1248F Introduction to Literature
1/17/2013
Using nature to symbolize feelings or thoughts in a poem or short story gives the reader an idea of what the author is describing, but it also gives them a picture to imagine as they read. The Oak by Tennyson might symbolize strength and wisdom and uses simile style to describe an object. The Road not Taken by Frost might symbolize the way certain choices affect our lives and uses a persona to reflect the characters thoughts. Both are poems and use the natural elements to describe how they are feeling or a choice they must make in life. I chose these two because they symbolize things that we all go though in life by describing choices we have to make by using two roads that can be travelled, or by describing an old oak tree to symbolize someone growing and maturing. “Poetry often uses particular forms and conventions to suggest alternative meanings in the words, or to evoke emotional or sensual responses.” (Poetry 2010 para. 3) Devices such as alliteration and rhythm are used to achieve musical or incantatory effects. The use of ambiguity, symbolism, irony, and other stylistic elements of poetic diction often leaves a poem open to multiple interpretations. Similarly, metaphor, simile, and metonymy create a resonance between otherwise disparate images—a layering of meanings, forming connections previously not perceived. (Poetry 2010 para. 3) When an author is describing what a character is going through in a short story, poem or a drama using these layering meanings give the audience or reader another way to envision what they are reading or watching. You could just say a guy was standing at a crossroad and decided to take one way and not the other, but then you would be missing the emotion and the meaning behind the choice he had to make. It reminds us that we will always face choices that will be hard but we must choose and live with the effects of that