SUMMARY

&
CRITICIATION
APPRECIAION
&
THEME

80
B.A Poem
Summary and Critical Appreciation
1. Leisure
By William Davies
Summary
The poem leisure by William Davies is a satiric poem on a modern man. In the
poem, Leisure, the poet, William Davies, tells us about the hectic routines of
our daily life. He says that we have no time to stand and stare at beauty of
nature.

The poet asks a question about life that looks full of care though we
have no time to see beauty of nature. In last stanza poets answers this
question. the poet further explain his point of view that even we have no time
to stand under the beautiful and green branches of trees. He want to realize
us that how these trees are beautiful but we spare no moments to look at
their beauty. Poet says that animal like cows and sheep are better than us
who have time to enjoy beauty of green trees.

The poet says that when we pass through tall trees, we do not spare
some moments to stop and look at their beauty. These dark and tall trees
provide beautiful scenery where squirrels or other small animals play and hide
their foods in the grass for the winter season. He again wants to realize us
that we are always in hurry and miss to enjoy these scenes of natural beauty.
William Davies depicts beautiful imagery that at day time when rays of the sun
falls upon the water of streams and river and their reflection looks like stars in
the sky at night. But our busy routines are hurdle to enjoy such beautiful
scenes and we miss them.

The poet personifies beauty as a beautiful young girl dancing with a

smiling face. He again realizes us that busy routines of human being deprived
them to see beauty of nature. When beauty is dancing, we cannot see her feet
because of busy life. The poet extends his points of view that beauty is
scattered all around us but we can’t see it. As he personifies it as a beautiful
girl; he says that we can’t see her smiling face. But we have no time to stand
and stare at nature that can refresh us.

At the end the poets take pity on human being that what a life full of care!
He says that if we have no time to enjoy nature; we are living a poor life. As
human beings, we should spare some time to look at natural beauty spread all
around us to enjoy life. He answers his question that it is a poor life without

81
time to enjoy natural beauty.

Critical Appreciation
In the poem Leisure, William Davies criticize human beings of modern world
for their busy life that made them busy enough that they have no time to enjoy
beauty of nature. The poet opens his poem by a question that is this life is full
of care? And at the end he answers his question after analyzing human beings
life and named that life a “poor life” if we have no time to enjoy nature.

He satirizes human beings and prefers animals that have time to see
natural beauty. He say that we are enough busy that we cannot enjoy beautiful
sceneries of the nature. He provide beautiful imagery of reflection of sun rays
over a stream and but we have lost our happiness and peace of mind. We
remain busy in worldly pursuits and miss delights of natural world.

He tries to explain with figurative language and personifies beauty as a

beautiful girl: one of the most beautiful creatures of the universe. He
compares beauty as a beautiful dancing girl which should catch our attention
but our busy routines made us blind. We can’t see her dance though she is
dancing in front of our eyes. He says that we have no quest to explore
aesthetic beauty of the nature.

In last lines, William Davies satirizes modern men life and says it is a poor
life if we have no time to entertain ourselves by nature. He summarizes the
poem by saying that our life is full of hardships and worries..

Theme
In this poem‘ Leisure’the poet presents several themes such as modernity,
simplicity, spirituality, nature, and most importantly leisure. The most
important theme of the poem is, as said earlier in leisure. Throughout this
work, the poet highlights the importance of leisure in our life.

Thereafter, another important theme of the poem, modernity, gets fused

into the body implicitly. Here, the poet expresses how modernity keeps
modern people separated from nature. Apart from that, this poem is a
celebration of simplicity and simple activities that keep one’s spirit alive. Such
simple activities lead one to the path to spirituality.

2. Tartary
By Walter De La Mare
Summary

Tartary is an imaginary place conjured up by the poet in his mind. In his

82
fantasy, he wishes to be Lord of this imagined place replete with unseen and
unheard delights. The Lord of Tartary wants ivory for his bed and pure gold for
his throne, both of which are expensive and valuable resources. This
demonstrates that the Lord of Tartary wishes to display his wealth and live a
great and pleasant life. In the wonderful land of Tartary, peacocks would be
seen wandering around the palace courts. Tigers would be allowed to wander
the woodlands, and large fish would be found in the royal pools. Zebras would
also be seen pulling the Lord of Tartary’s carriage.

The evenings would be packed with brilliant lights and music. Evening
lamps in yellow and red would illuminate the palace. The musicians would
play the harp, flute, and mandolin, creating pleasant and cheerful music. The
Lord of Tartary does not want to wear an ordinary robe, but rather an
expensive and exquisite robe embroidered with beads. He wants his robe to
be adorned with white, gold, and green beads that are as densely adhered to
his garments as seeds.

In the poem’s final stanza, the Lord of Tartary declares his desire to
control over the natural aspects of nature. He aspires to be the Lord of
Tartary’s fruits, hills, valleys, plants, and woods. He also wishes to be the
master of Tartary’s silver pale rivers. In short, Tartary is a poet’s dreamland
rich in visual beauty.

It is a land of hills and valleys, dense forests and plants. The rivers are
silvery-pale in colour. The stars shine brightly in the night sky, and the breeze
in Tartary has a pleasant aroma. The shaking lakes run fiercely, and the
chirping birds pleasure in the citron trees of Tartary’s purple valley.

Critical Appreciation
Tartary is a wonderful poem. It portrays the poet’s voyage into the dreamland
of bliss, where everything is flawless. The poem has a romantic feel to it. The
poet aspires to be the ruler of that land. As a lord, he will command, control,
and enjoy everything to the fullest. He will have an ivory bed and a gold throne,
and the beauty of his court will be enhanced by dancing peacocks and
gleaming -fishes. He will wear a gorgeous robe and sword for the zebra-drawn
carriage adventure across romantic land. He will have control over all of
Tartary’s resources. Fine and outstanding images have been employed to
paint a natural picture of every object.

In order to show an ideal world, fine and beautiful inages have been
employed to create the natural picture of every object Colored words include
bed of ivory, golden throne, colourful peacocks, tigers, great fishes robed in
magnificent colour, zebras, glades, and morning star. The entire poem is
rhythmic. Similes have been employed, such as ‘yellow as honey’ and’red as
wine.’ Everything happens in a natural way. There is no ambiguity in the verse.

83
Diction is fairly basic. The theme is approachable to all types of readers.”

Theme
The main theme of this poem is imagination and adventure. Both the poet and
us are aware of the imaginary nature of Tartary, as well as the impossibility of
being its ruler.

But we still go along with the poet in imagining the wonderful things and
the amazing adventures that he would have as Lord of Tartary. This shows us
the power of imagination and how it can take us on many adventures.

3. New Year Resolution

By Elizabeth Sewell
Summary

This is a brief and interesting poem by Elizabeth Sewel. She tells us about her
resolutions on the start of a new year. Instead of celebrating and rejoicing,
she is planning to be more serious and philosophical on New year's day. She
tells us that she would make some resolution on the new year. She told us
about her promises for the future year.

Her first resolution is to purify her soul. She will remain quiet and
serious in the coming year. Silence and quietness will purify her soul and will
wash away her sins. She uses a simile that she will drink long droughts of
quietness. In this way, she gives us an impression that she will not indulge in
worldly affairs and will satisfy herself with what nature gives to her. This is
really an innovative and untraditional resolution.

Her 2nd resolution is to remove her all shortcomings and bad things. She
says that she will carefully examine her own soul. She will identify and remove
her drawbacks and evil things to purify her soul. The poetess makes another
resolution that she will face reality. She will be more realistic and accepting.
She will lead a simple and humble life. She will not feel proud of his beauty
and riches.

Reality is bitter. But the poetess makes a resolution to accept it as it is. She
says that she will lie on the bony arms of the reality. This is a good simile the
poetess has used in the poem. She is trying to convey us an inspiring
message that we should face the reality with all its bitterness and try to seek
comfort in it.

Critical Appreciation

“ New Year Resolution ”may be taken as a precious piece of advice to lead a

good and successful life in this society. Three sound and solid resolutions

84
which the poetess makes at the even of the next year sum up the golden
principles of a respectable life. According to the poetess, the life must be
spent consciously and with a sense of discipline. It is absurd to spend lie in a
care free and jovial manner. We must take stock of our good and week point
throughout the year. We should try to correct our weaknesses by self-
examination.

It is our accountability by our own conscience which corrects our life. The
poetess does not welcome the New Year in a traditional manner. In this brief
but thought- provoking poem, she urges us to examine our own self‘ in the
beginning of every year. She wants to drink deep at the fountain of thoughts.
It is only in quietness and moments of calm that she can search her own soul
search in moments that she will purge out the sins and shortcomings of
herself. This meditation may become a means of cleansing herself. It is with
clean mind and soul that she will welcome the New Year.

The poetess is a realist. She does not run away from the harsh realities of
life. She wants to know her identity and nature quite impartially. She wants to
know about herself and her duties to her fellow beings and to her God. In
solitude man comes to know about his obligations in society. Being a
husband, father, mother, brother, son, friend and citizen of a country he has
different responsibilities. Again as a farmer, businessman, and a soldier and
as an administrator or a clerk etc. one has to perform various kinds of tasks.

Idealistic and unrealistic attitude of life create a lot of worries and

troubles in our life. Although reality is bitter, ugly and painful yet we should
accept it and learn to live with it. Therefore the poetess declares that she
would like to pass the whole night in the ‗bony arms of Realit. As a result of
the fulfilment of the above-mentioned resolutions she will be satisfied and
comfortable.

Theme

In her poem, “New Year Resolution” the poetess has presented the profound
philosophy of human life. We find so many themes in this poem that are
about patience ,man”s life purpose, face the music, self recognition etc .She
has brought out the reality of man’s life and his destiny in this world Now, we
will discuss themes one by one that are under below in New Year Resolutions:
- She has explained her views in a simple and straight forward style. She has,
in fact, highlighted her resolution, which she makes at arrival of the New Year
for the consideration of her readers.

She has indeed taught us the most valuable lesson to the effect that we
should always be prepare to accept, face and life with the bare and bitter
reality of life. We should accept the existing realities of life and lead our life
realistically, free from artificiality and affection. NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS ”

85
reveals its main theme that She has also revealed that truth is always bitter
and reality is painful . It does, however need a great courage to accept, face
and live with reality. A person, who succeeds in the realization of these
resolutions, would ultimately be deriving comfort in his life.

She points out that to sleep at night in the bony arms of reality is certainly
uncomfortable and painful. In fact, the bony arms of reality are the symbol of
the bitterness of truth of reality. In short, the subject matter of the poem is
profoundly serious, sublime and philosophic, which highlights the reality of
human life and make the human beings ready to face the bare and bitter
realities of life. The reading of the poem really imprints a lasting wholesome
impression on our minds.

4. Woman Work

By Maya Angelou
Summary

Maya Angelou is an American poetess. She speaks five languages. Her poetic
thoughts cover a wide range of topics from everyday life. She speaks for the
women and for their dull and drab life at home. A woman works from morning
till night in the kitchen cooking and cleaning the hut without any appreciation.

“Woman work” is a thought-provoking poem. In this poem, the poetess

describes the everyday life of a household lady. This lady has to perform
many difficult pieces of work in her daily life. Her routine does not allow her
moments of recreation. Also, nobody pays any attention to her need for
refreshment and comfort. In this situation, her imagination proves helpful. She
takes flight in the world of imagination and relieves herself from the dull and
drab routine of life.

The woman in the poem says that she looks after her children and get
them ready in time for school. She goes to the market to buy things of
everyday use. She cooks food not only for her family but also for the guests if
they are there. She cleans her house, presses the clothes, and bathes the little
kids She also helps on fields in cutting the cane. This hectic routine denies her
all the joys a living being may desire.

The woman in this poem does not let herself be killed by the monotony of
life. She has rich imagination She flies on the wings of imagination and takes

refuge in the world of dreams. She calls upon the objects of nature to rescue
her. She requests the storm to blow her away. She asks the sun to shine on
her, rain to fall on her, and dewdrops to settle gently on her forehead.

She invites the snowflakes fto to cover her with cool, icy kisses. She

86
asks these objects of nature to comfort her. This poem is, doubtlessly, the
story of every woman in every society of the world. The poem also tells us
that nature has a refreshing impact.

Critical Appreciation

The poem describes the dull and drab life of a housewife busy in her norma
household works. She has to look after the children as well as her house. She
has to entertain the guest. She has to do a lot of shopping and she has to look
after the lawn also. She feels tired and bored. She thinks that she is a
machine and not a human being.

At this stage, she asks nature to come and help her. What a beautiful
description is that after routine work, a woman wants to go in the lap to
nature. She wants to enjoy and observe nature. She wants to get the urge of
living in nature.

Theme

The poem “Woman Work” has two main themes. Central of the poem moves
around the daily routine of the life .There are so many themes that deal with
every human being of the universe in this poem.

First of all boredom is that caused due to the daily mechanical work by a
woman. This theme is quite visible in the following lines of the poem where
the poetess shows her compulsion to perform them She writes:-

“ I’ve got the children trend

The clothes to men ”

And again see the given lines, which also speak out the feelings of
boredom on the part of the poetess:-

“The cane to be cut

I got to clean up this hut”

The second important theme of the poem is love for nature and the
soothing influence of nature on a man full of boredom due to machine like
routine. The woman in the poem makes it clear when she after feeling
boredom, wants to enjoy the company of nature. She says:-

“Shine on me, sunshine

Rain on me, rain

Fall softly, dewdrops

And cool my brow again”

87
 She addresses and teats the various elements or forces of nature, the
sun, the curving sky, mountains, oceans, leaves, claiming the stones, the start
shine and the moon glow as animate things, claiming that they all are her
companions.

Thus she closely associates herself with these beautiful elements of

nature and identifies herself with them. To give a touch of joy and poetry to
her ordinary prosaic life, she is very keen to lose and find herself among these
elements of nature.

In short, feelings of boredom by a mechanical work and relief by nature are

the two important theme of the poem.

5. THE REBEL

By D.J. Enright
Summary

D. J. Enright is a famous and modern poet. He has a forceful style of narration.

He portrays the rebellious nature of man. He observes that a man becomes a
rebel only when things go against his desires. He makes use of convincing
words to arouse sympathy for the rebels. The rebel is never ready to follow.
He is determined to dominate. He adopts ways and means to distinguish
himself from others. He is never harmful and dangerous to others in his
actions.

The poet presents the behavior of a young man who is an individualist. He

does not want to follow the common way of action. He wants to swim against
the current. But in doing so he earns the label of a rebel is not dangerous. He
only wants to look prominent. He does things in a different way. The poet is
not against such revels. However, not all people would like to be called a revel
in this sense.

The rebel in this poem gets his hair cut when others have long hair, but
when others get their hair cut, he lets them grow long. He keeps quiet when
others are discussing something in the classroom, but creates disturbance
when others are silent.When others wear a uniform, he wears fantastic
clothes, but when others wear fantastic clothes, he dresses soberly. He
desires rain when others desire the sun and vice versa. He praises cats when
others praise dogs and vice versa. He stays at home and reads a book when
others go out for a meeting. However, when others stay at home and read
books, he goes out for meetings.

When others say “Yes”, he says “No”, and when others say “No”, he says
“Yes”. In short, he does everything after his own heart. The poet is of the view
that such reels are good for society. They show us the other way of action

88
that is available. However, no one likes to be branded as a rebel in this sense.

Critical Appreciation

D. J. Enright, in this simple and humorous poem, criticizes the behavior of a

young rebellious person. This is an interesting poem which is also a satirical
one. This poem depicts the poet’s knowledge of human nature. In fact, this is
the story of a man who wants to live with his own individuality. It shows the
actions of the immaturity of rebels.

The behavior of rebels is contradictory. He wants to change. He does not

want to sink into the crowd of people. He always acts against normal behavior,
maybe he has a complex of inferiority and insecurity so he acts in this manner
to get the attention of other people. He is always eager to show off his
rebellious nature.

Rebels provide colors and variety to this dull life. The poem has seven
stanzas of four lines each. There is no rhyme scheme present in the poem.
The style of description is like prose. The repetition of ideas and lines gives a
musical touch to this poem. This is a sweet poem and has no bitterness in
humor. Readers enjoy themselves by reading this humorous poem.

The portrait of a rebel is keen subtle and witty. The poet also describes the
behavior of common people. Most people do not like change. They spent their
lives like robots Following the traditions and customs. They think and act the
same which has no variety.

In the end, the poet presented a good thought that we should put up
with such revels because life will become colorless without their presence.
Rebels are fun for society and they are laughing stock for serious persons.

Theme

The poem describes the nature of a rebel in detail. A rebel always does just
opposite of what others do around him. The rebel always behaves different
from others.

The poet tells that it is not good to be a rebel because rebel cause
problems for others and is left alone but at the same time it is good because
it is rebel who comes with the new ideas and has guts to stand against the
society.

6. PATRIOT INTO TRAITER

By Robert Browning
Summary

89
This poem is written in dramatic monologue. In this poem, a leader comments
on the present situation and contrasts it with the past events. This leader was
once considered a patriot, but now he has been branded as a traitor. The
poem presents the political situation of the Third World countries. In these
countries, political affiliations can be bought for petty benefits.

A political leader is being taken to the gallows. He recalls the events of

the past year when passed through the same streets. He was welcomed
warmly by the people. His path was full of roses and myrtle. A large number
of people shouted slogans in favor of this leader. They were ready to obey
him through thick and thin. This leader did his best to swerve his people.

However, the result of his [pains was not favorable. He has been branded
a traitor. His bands have been tied tightly behind his back. The people have
gathered at the Shamble’s gate to see the hanging of a traitor. They throw
stones at him. The poem, however, ends with a note of optimism. The leader
leaves his case to God. He believes that it is better to be paid in the next world
than in this one.

Critical Appreciation

The poem, ‘Patriot into Traitor ‘gives us the picture of a political leader who
suffers a downfall in his career quite dramatically. The frustration of the
political leader has been described in a graphic and realistic manner. The poet
has described the following ideas in the poem in a sensible manner.

The poet tells us that uneducated people do not judge justly. The people
welcome the political leader with great enthusiasm. This shows that the
political leader becomes a victim of the judgment of the common misdeeds.
This shows that the political leader becomes a victim of the judgment of the
common masses. The poem tells us many things about the immature and
shaky judgment of common people. The uneducated people change their
behavior according to the circumstance.

The poem is also a criticism of the power-worship. As long as man is in

power, everyone supports and loves him. He is respected and loved. But when
a man is out of power, all his supporters leave him. The political leader is
welcomed with great love and enthusiasm as te steps into power. When he is
taken to gallows, he is left alone and is deserted by everyone. Browning’s
poetry is full of hope and optimism. He wants to assert man’s faith in God the
heroes of his poetry do not lose heart in face of hardships and trials. His
poetry suggests us to face hardships patiently.

The political leader faces disgrace at the end. He is going to be stoned at.
But he still has faith in the reward of God. They are sadly mistaken at it But he
hopes that God will reward him for his service to the public in the world

90
hereafter. He accepts the gallows with the power of conviction and faith.

Theme

“The Patriot” reflects on just how quickly—and unjustly—public opinion can

change. The poem’s speaker was once the man of the hour, honored as a
great “patriot” and paraded in the streets for some heroic feat in service to his
country. But now, exactly a year later, the very same people who cheered him
throw rocks at him.

The political winds have shifted, it seems, and the man so recently hailed
as a hero is about to be executed as a traitor. This tale suggests that people’s
memories are short and that people themselves are often merciless. Public
opinion, the poem implies, has a lot more to do with the emotion of the
moment than with sincere feeling or justice.

Comparing his two different marches through the city, the speaker
marvels at just how much has changed over the course of a year—and at just
how cruelly his fellow citizens are treating him now. Once a hero in a parade,
he’s now a convict being dragged to the gallows. His countrypeople, who once
threw “roses” in his path, now hurl “stones” at him until his “forehead bleeds.”
They’ve clearly forgotten all his past good works, and they show no flicker of
kindness to their former idol.

Because the poem never specifies what either the speaker’s heroic act
or his crimes were, this change in the citizens’ behavior feels arbitrary. Both
the crowd’s adoration and their rage seem feverish and groundless. It doesn’t
seem as if these people are making reasoned judgments of the speaker’s
actions, but as if they’re just getting caught up in the excitement of the
moment.

When they saw him as a hero, they’d have given him “the sun from
yonder skies” if he asked for it; now that they see him as a villain, they do
everything they can to hurt him, tying his wrists so tight the ropes “cut” him
and ghoulishly jostling for the best view of the “scaffold” where he’ll die.

7. The Huntsman

By Edward Lowbury
Summary

The huntsman by Edward Lowbury is based on a Kenyan fold tale. The poem
teaches us a moral lesson that we should avoid talking unnecessarily. The
poet makes good use of irony and suspense. He describes how Kagawa, the
Huntsman, becomes the prey of his own spear. The fact about the talking
skull is full of suspense. The reader remains curious about its response.

91
Kahwa’s end is a fine example of the irony of fate. Kagwa, a brave hunter,
used to hunt lions in jungles.

Once he found a sull of man. He asked it humorously how it came there.

The skull replied that talking had brought it there. It meant that talking
needlessly brought about the death of the man whose skull it was. Kagwa
could not understand the underlying message and rushed to the king’s court.
He told the king about the talking skull.

The king said that he has never heard of such a skull. However, he
appointed two of his guards to accompany Kagawa and find the talking skull.
He also ordered them to kill Kagawa immediately if the skull spoke nothing.
Kagwa and the guards looked for the skull for many days and nights.

Finally, they found it. Kagwa asked the skull how it came there. The skull
spoke nothing. He implored repeatedly but in vain. The guard beheaded
Kagawa there and then. Now the skull asked Kagawa how they came there.
Talking brought me here was Kagawa's reply.

Critical Appreciation

The present poem is based on a Kenyan folklore and carries a moral lesson
that one should not talk too much. The poem narrates the story of a tragedy
of a hunter. He is a hunter of lions, but the stroke of luck, he becomes a prey.
The poem throws light on the fact that lie is a complicated affair. It is full of
unexpected situations and mysterious facts.
Sometimes it happens that the hunter becomes the hunted. The poem
also points out that talking is a good thing but one should not talk too much.
A man must be careful before he speaks. He must think before he speaks.
The poem hint at the fact the Kagwa should not have spoken to the
king. Kagwa spoke to the king to a carelessness and foolishness manner.
That is why, he met his death. Kagwa did not know this fact. Had the known
this fact, he would not have met his misfortune.

The poem contains the elements of sick humour. It is also full of the
elements of suspense and supernatural. The presence of the talking skull
inspires dread in us. We try to know the mysteryof the talking skull but fail.
The end of the story of Kagwa is tragic indeed. The hunter becomes the
hunted and his tragic death has a shocking effect on the mind of the reader.
Deep irony runs through the poem. The irony of the poem is hidden in the
fact that the hunter in the end and has to lose his life. Like all folk tales, it
has a hidden message to convey to the readers. The poet suggests that we

92
must be careful in our conversation with others.

Theme
Edward Lowbury is a modern British poet. He is a poet of various interests.
He has written interesting poems for all types of people. Being a doctor, his
poetry has the stamp of minuteness as well as imaginative richness. His
stay in Kenya is of great value to him. He happens to study the Africa
folklores and folk stories. The poem The Huntsman is based on African
folklore which describes the tragic uncertainty of life in Africa.
The poem is based on folklore that is full of the experience of practical
life and wisdom. The poet narrates the story of his own tragedy. He is the
hunter of the lions, but by a stroke of luck, he becomes the prey. The
following facts are revealed in the poem. The poem tells us that life is a
complicated affair.. Sometimes it happens that the hunter becomes the man
must be careful before he speaks. He must think before he speaks.
The poem hints at the fact that Kagwa should not have spoken to the
king. Kagwa spoke to the king in a carefree and foolish manner. That is why
he met his death. Kagwa did not know this fact. Had he known this fact, he
would not have met his misfortune. The poem illustrates the moral of the
lesson.
“Think before you speak”
The poem contains the element of sick humor. We become the hunted
and his tragic death has a shocking effect on the mind of the reader. Deep
irony runs through the poem. Like all folk tales, it has a hidden message to
convey to his readers. The poet suggests that we should be careful in our
conversations with others.
8. One Art

By Elizabeth Bishop
Summary

“One Art” by Elizabeth Bishop is a very interesting poem. The poem is based
on different ideas and philosophies. Generally, we become depressed and sad
a loss of things that are dear to us. The poetess is of the view that life does
not come to an end with the loss of things. She says that losing things and
facing boldly the loss is an art. It is not difficult to master this art. If we
succeed in mastering this art, we can attain peace of mind. The poetess says
that the art of losing is not hard to master. There may be things of great
importance that we do not want to lose. But even if we lose them, it does not
bring about any disaster. She suggests that we should start losing things of

93
little importance such as door keys. Then we should keep losing things
regularly.

Gradually, we shall develop the habit of losing things. She says that she lost
the watch that was a token of love for her mother. She lost two cities with the
scenes she liked. She also lost the two houses that were dear to her. But no
disaster occurred. Finally, she addresses her lover. She that even if she has to
lose him for some reason, it will be no disaster, though it may look so. The
poetess wants to say that we should remain ready to face losses in life.

Critical Appreciation

Elizabeth Bishop led a tragic life. She lost her father when she was a small girl
and her mother had to spend her life in a mental institution. This left a tragic
influence on her mind. She started writing poems at a very early age. Her
poetry contains the color of tragedy and pessimism. She is not disturbed at
the loss of material thins. She treats the loss of small or great things in an
ironic and half-humorous manner. The poem “One Art “trains us in the art of
losing thins.

The poetess suggests that it is the loss of things that disturb us. We
should not feel sad at the loss of material things. We should bear the loss of
costly as well as ordinary things with a brave heart. There are several things
that have a tendency to get lost or misplaced. Their disappearance should not
perturb us. In order to be skillful in the art of losing, we must lose one thing
daily. We should not feel restless at the loss of door deys or the loss of time
badly spent, these small losses, Will prepare us to face heavy disasters of life.

The poetess suggests that we should go on losing things faster and

rapidly. We must try to forget the name of places and people we have seen.
This will dispel our fear of facing losses. The poetess happens to lose her
mother’s watch. She forgets the name of the three houses where she has
stayed and lived.

She states that the loss of important things does not bring ruin to her.
She is not perturbed about the loss of her love, loving voices, and happy
gestures. She bears all these losses with courage because she has become
skillful in the art of losing things.

The poem is written in a mocking and half-humorous manner. The

poetess treats a serious subject in a non-serious manner. But the message of
the poem is clear. A man should not lose heart in face of hardships. He
should produce in him a spirit of acceptance and resignation. The ordinary
tragic incident and the greatest disaster should be faced without any fear. The
art of losing means to live life hoping for the best and to be ready to face the
worst.

94
Theme

The theme of “One Art” is the one that is stated most explicitly throughout. It
also becomes the central idea of the poem. This piece brings out the
pervasive nature of loss, and that it is implicit, almost always inevitable.
Bishop elucidates this theme with the various illustrations of losses that
occur in people’s lives in general along with the illustrations from her personal
life. She claims to lose to be an “art” that can be mastered. The apparent
strategy is to actually practice losing more and more to be good at it.

As readers progress towards the end of the poem, what comes to light is
that the only way in which losses can be half defeated is through their
acknowledgment and acceptance. This is illustrated when Bishop forces a
kind of acceptance of her losses when she exclaims—(Write it!)—as if she
finally believes that she has been in denial. She is finally coming to terms with
it. In this way, the art of losing implicitly becomes the art of survival.

9. The Solitary Reaper

By William Wordsworth
Summary

The solitary reaper is a romantic poem in its nature. Wordsworth wrote poetry
about common people. He likes the simplicity of nature and writes about it. In
this poem, he talks to us about a highland girl who is working alone in the
fields. She is very industrious. Her song in her native language inspires the
poet and he narrates it in the verses. She is rustic in her manners. The poem
is an exquisite lyric by Wordsworth. It strikes a new romantic note in its
subject matter as well as in its style. It presents a sharp contrast to the poetry
of the 18th century. These points prove this poem is a romantic poem in its
nature.

Firstly, he describes romantic notes in this poem. Secondly, the poem is

written in a simple way. It does not describe the mannerisms of the 18th
century. Thirdly, the poet presents the girl as natural beauty. Romantic poetry
deals with nature not subject matter. It is the novel and interesting way that
makes the subject matter romantic and attractive. The beautiful song of the
girl is about imagination. Fourthly, the chief quality of the poem is its
simplicity. It combines fin it all the elements of the romantic school of poetry.

The poet admires the girl"s song and takes us to a romantic land like
Arabia's land Hebrides. The poem is written in simple and direct language.
The poem is rich in musical quality. Lines like, for old, unhappy for off things.
And battles long ago, have music and melody of their own.

Critical Appreciation

95
Solitary Reaper is one of the finest Lyrical Ballads composed by Wordsworth.
As Wordsworth always longed for human beauty that is surrounded by some
natural objects, here in thebpoem he paints a girl singing spontaneously in
Gaelic, a Celtic language, spoken in the Highlands of Scotland.

The Poem has a message that poetry should not rely on artificial diction
for it's effort. Rather It should be written with plain language and simple form
so that each class can appreciate. it's objective. The poem is a beauty in this
regard. He wrote this poem in a rustic setting as real music can be sought in a
pure natural setting.

A maiden singing song while reaping with full-throat-ed-ease attracts

poet's attention. Her song is melodious enough to make the Nature sing with
her. As the poet writes.........

"O listen! for the vale profound

Is overflowing with the sound."

The poet goes on saying that nothing can be compared to the girl's song.
The birds like Nightingale or Cuckoo are not as praiseworthy as the girl is. But
the Poet does not even know what meaning does the song convey. Is it about
the sorrows of the past or about the sorrows of day to day life of a man or the
song explains about the upcoming sorrows?

The poet ignores the theme but likes the spontaneity of the song and
thinks the song should not have any ending. The poet listens to the song
motionless and still and mounted up the hill.

Theme

The poem is the representation of human romance with nature. When we try
to have a penetrating look at nature, we realize the beauty of nature. If we
have a healthy interaction with nature, we can feel it throughout our life. It
gives us energy and strength and happiness. So, man should focus on natural
beauty to enjoy life in a real sense.

10. All the world's a stage

By William Shakespeare
Summary

William Shakespeare is a great writer and artist of the 16th century. He

studied human nature comprehensively. He has studied human nature and life
quite objectively. Shakespeare called this world a stage and all human beings
are just their characters. All human beings perform their respective roles and
quit this world. This poem describes that life is like a journey and all human

96
beings are travelers. He has cover seven stages to complete this journey.
When he completes one stage or goal, he enters into another stage or goal.
Everybody in this world performs seven roles and completes the journey of
life.

In the first stage, a man appears as a child in the world. As a child, he is a

helpless creature. He cries in the arms of this nurse for one reason or the
other. He cries and vomits. In the second stage of life, he becomes a school-
going boy. He goes to school with a bag hanging around his shoulders. He
goes to school creeping like a snail. He goes to the school unwillingly.

In the third stage, a man plays the role of a lover. he grows into a young
man full of desires. ambitions and dreams. He becomes a romantic young
man. He falls in love and sighs like a furnace In the fourth stage, he becomes
a soldier. In this stage, he is emotional and jealous. He is ready to do any task
for fame and reputation. He quarrels with others for grace and honor.

In the fifth stage, he becomes a judge. In this stage, he becomes mature

and experienced. The heat of his youth completely cooled down and he
becomes very realistic. He wants to get money and wants to be rich. he
begins to accept bribes and thus adds much to his material comfort. His belly
becomes round. He eats healthy fowls and cocks presented to him as bribes.

In the sixth stage, man grows old. he looks quite ridiculous in his
movements. He wears glasses because his eyesight is weak. His shoes
become wide for his feet. His voice suffers a change. It becomes a shrill and
quivering whistle.

Then man plays the final role of his life. here we find him turned into a
child once again. He seems to forget everything. He becomes toothless. His
eyesight weakens and he is deprived of taste. He is ready to leave this world.
In this way, man completes the journey of life.

Critical Appreciation

The poem ‘All the World’s A Stage’ by William Shakespeare is taken from
Shakespeare’s play ‘As you like it’. The main theme of the poem is the cycle of
life. In this poem Shakespeare describes the varied stages of life from birth to
death. He compares the world to a stage, where the drama of human life is
enacted. The poem is written in free verse i.e. no rhyme scheme, but there is a
steady rhythm of five beats in each line. The figures of speech in this poem
are Simile, Metaphor, Alliteration, etc.

In the lines ‘All the world’s a stage, and all men and women are merely
players’ there is a comparison between two different things. The special
feature of this poem is its narrative style which gives the poem a smooth
smoothly from one stage to the next one and the imagery. My favourite lines

97
in this poem are All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely
players. I like the poem because it beautifully describes the life cycle which
we all are a part of.

Theme

In this poem, the poet describes that this world is like a stage. All men and
women are its characters. One man comes into this world, performs his role,
and quits this world. Every man has to perform seven roles in this world.
Without performing these seven roles he or she can not leave this world. This
poem suggests to us that this world is mortal and we have to leave this world
later or sooner.

According to this poem God create is and allot us seven roles, after
performing our roles, we have to leave this world. In this poem, the poet draws
a realistic picture of human life. We have to play our fixed roles and after
performing our roles, we have to leave this world.

11. Departure and arrival

By T. S. Eliot
Summary

Departure and Arrival is a thought-provoking poem. It is serious in its nature. It

contains a certain message for its readers. It tells us to set a vision and a goal
before us. Our life can only be purposeful if we set before us some high ideals.
We must strive steadfastly and undauntedly to a get our lofty goals.

The poem gives us the message of working selflessly for the betterment
of future dangers and hardships. It may contain dangerous rocks. It may
bristle the challenges of life bravely. The poet believes that the 20th century is
very important for the development of human civilization. It has to face new
challenges and has to solve difficult problems.

It is the responsibility of the people of this century to shoulder the

responsibilities of this century They must work hard and sincerely to make
this century great. They should provide better facilities to mankind in the field
of science and medicine. They should discover new methods to conquer pain
and human misery.

They should struggle to out poverty, ignorance, and disease from the world. In
this way, they will leave a treasure of benefits to the coming generation. It is
hoped that the present age will produce better heroes and better leaders than
the previous ages. We can say that the poet pins his great hopes on the
victories and triumphs of the present century.

98
 Actually, the writer wants to say that the bright future lies ahead of
mankind and it can only be achieved by means of hard work and labor. In
order to make this century better than all centuries, we should work hard. It is
with the eager heart we can help mold well the fate of this century. We should
leave a legacy of benefits and a bright future to coming generations.

Critical Appreciation

Departure and Arrival is a very serious poem and has a great lesson. In this
poem, the poet makes us realize our duty as an individual towards the
development of human civilization. He urges us to play our role in making
human history great. he also tries to encourage us to keep pace with the ever-
changing circumstances. He wants all of us to fulfill the requirements which
the 20th century makes on us. The poem is full of idealism and optimism as
the poet believes that we can achieve this goal.

The poet says that we are standing at the shore of the coming century. We
shall have to start our voyage courageously. In this voyage, our knowledge is
our only guide. We have not to chart or plan to rely upon. The path to our goal
is difficult and full of threats. But we have to make our hope our strength and
set out at once for the destination which lies in a bright future for humanity.

The poet says that the 20th century calls us to play our role in making it
great from the point of view of the humanitarian value He says that we do not
know what fate holds for us in store. But we should be optimistic. We should
try our best to overcome human misery and pain. he says that we are the
sons of this century ad we must utilize all our energies to make it great. We
must try to carve our fate ourselves. It is only then that this century will
become memorable and our role in its greatness will be remembered for
many centuries to come.

There are six stanzas in the poem and the language of the poem is very
simple. The poet gives us the message of hope in this poem. We agree with
the poet that we should struggle in order to make this age great and
rememberable. The urges us to set high goals and do great struggles to
achieve them. The journey may difficult but we have to cover it. We should
struggle hard to make this world peaceful and remove the misery of the
people but we should not demand any reward for it.

Theme

r:-parture and Arrival is a thought-provoking and serious poem. In this poem, t

The poet tells the young people to set aims for their future life. Future life can
be purposeful if the young people set before them some high goals and aims.
They must struggle to.achieve their lofty aims. The poet gives a message to
the young generation to work.selflessly for the betterment of the future.

99
12. A Poison Tree

By William Blake
Summary

William Blake is a mystic poet. In his early poems,” Songs of innocence and
songs of experience” he deals with the ugliness of life and discusses the
ways to arrive at the world of beauty and order. It is the force of vision and
imagination that restores balance and order in life. The soul of man is
corrupted by evil passions of anger, hatred, and malice. If we conquer these
evil passions, we can create a happy world and a wonderland of bliss for us.

His mysticism is governed by forces of order, beauty, and harmony. A

Position tree is a symbolic poem, burdened with a moral message the poet
advises the reader not to nourish anger and hatred against our friends and
foes. He preaches love against hatred, trust against misunderstanding.

The poet was angry with his friends. It was the result of some
misunderstanding. He talked to his friend about his anger and the
misunderstanding between them was soon over. It was a discussion about
the misunderstanding which destroyed anger. The poet points out that it is
always desirable to discuss the cause of misunderstanding with a friend. We
should not let anger pile up and lead it to enmity. The poet was angry with his
foe. He did not discuss the cause of anger with him.

The anger continued to grow. The poet did another folly. He did not give
vent to his anger but continued to nourish it with fear, suspicion, and doubt.
He met his friend with a smile on his face, but inwardly he was angry with him.
The poet kept watering the plant of anger with hatred and suspicion. Soon it
grew to be a tree. The tree bore an apple bright of hatred. The brightness of
the apple attracted his enemy and he stole it in the darkness of night. In the
morning his foe was dead. The poet advises us to love humanity.

Critical Appreciation
The poem reveals the power of anger if not controlled at initial stage. Anger is
an aggressive and dangerous emotion that we all possess as human beings.
In the poem, Blake has stated clearly at the start that when we give up our
anger, we can escape from drastic consequences of grown up anger. When
poet forgives his friend, he saved himself as well his friend from the harm of
the hatred. When poet keep anger in his mind and it keeps growing by
different ways elaborated in the poem cause deadly harm to the enemy of the
poet.

Instead of clearing doubts and grievances he remembered every little

100
thing that he has wrongly done to put him down and harmed him dreadfully.
The poet clearly states that he intentionally did not forgive his enemy, even
though he could. If first case, poet did so and saved his friend from the harm
but he did not did so in case of enemy.

The poet tries to explain it by a Biblical reference that when Adam and Eve
were forbidden to eat apple but Satan urged them to eat that apple that
caused them to being expelled from the Heaven. In the same way, here poets
states that if he did not save him his enemy, even though he could save. He
did the same act as the Satan did in expelling them from the Heaven. Poet
passed smile towards his enemy as Satan urged Adam and Eve politely by
hiding internal enmity.

And finally poet became glad when his enemy was stretched beneath
the tree; he also followed Satan who became glad when Adam and Eve were
expelled from the Heaven for eating forbidden apple.The poem ‘A Poison Tree’
is one of the most striking explorations of the corrupting effects of wrath and
hatred in English literature. Blake’s portrayal of anger, bitter, and wrath show
the deep level of seriousness rampant in the poem. It is also one of William
Blake’s miniature masterpieces.

Theme

In the poem, the poet tells that he was angry with his friend. So, he gave vent
to his feelings of anger in front of his friend. It provided them a chance to
understand each other, and the dispute between them was resolved. The poet
got angry with his enemy. He did not share the reason for his anger with his
enemy. This anger served as a seed. The poet nourished this seed with
deceitful smiles and sunned it with all his hatred and malice.

At last, it grew into a tree that bore a golden fruit. The enemy who had the
same intensity of hatred or the poet decided to deprive the poet of this fruit.
He stole into the garden at night and ate the fruit of the poison tree. In the
morning, the poet felt happy to see the dead body of his enemy lying under
the poison tree.

The poem is a mystic piece of writing. Blake, mystically, lays stress upon
the need of development of a society where there is no hatred and lack of
confidence.

13. Because I Could Not Stop Death

By Emily Dickinson
Summary

Emily Dickinson is an American poetess. She wrote in the latter half of the

101
19th century. She led an isolated life. Her poetry deals with themes of
mortality and immortality. It has been estimated that nearly a third part of the
bulk of her poetry concerns the themes of death. In this poem, she promotes
the idea of conquering death by accepting it. In this poem, the poetess points
out that death is an inevitable reality. It is very powerful. People are afraid of it.
The cares and worries of life make us forget death, but death is bound to
come and take us away from this world.

Emily Dickinson happens to make a journey to the grave in the carriage

of death. The carriage in which the dead body is taken to the grave has only
three occupants: the dead, death, and the soul of the departed person. Death
is a comfortable companion to her. The carriage of death is moving slowly.
She stops all her activities and leisure at the call of death.

The carriage of death passes by familiar places. First, it passes by the

school where children are playing during recess. Then it passes Then it
passes by the field in which grain is growing and the sun is setting in. her soul
has left her body and it travels on towards eternity wrapped in the gossamer-
like fog of the chilly evening.

The carriage of death reaches before a house that seems to a swelling of

the ground. It is going to be its home. Its two companion’s death and soul will
go their way towards eternity. Hundreds of human and earthly years pass, but
the soul goes on and on the journey of the soul never ends. It seems that the
horse’s heads that drive the carriage of death are set in the direction of
eternity.

This is a great poem on death because it deals with the theme of death
from a spiritual angle. Death is seen not as the end but as the beginning of
immortality. For the body, the journey ends at the grave but for the soul, it
continues till eternity. The poem is written in a simple style but its language is
highly symbolic.

The image of the leisurely Drive reflects the passing nature of this life in
its various stages. It represents school Life, maturity, and old age, until the
final destination. The temporary stay in the world is contrasted with eternity
where all time ceases and becomes centuries. The general quality of the
poem is very high and it is the work of a sincere and great artist.

Critical Appreciation

The poetess discusses the reality of death in the religious light. Her poetry
deals with the theme of morality and immortality. Death was a central
problem of her life. She lived at the place which fell on the way to cemetery.
She saw death all around herself; in her family; friends and relatives. She was
moved by death of babies and women.

102
 In this poem she deals death as a gentle friend and soothing companion.
Her views on death are quite different from other poets. It is called a mighty
leveller by the poetess. It strikes its icy blow on the rich and poor equally. It is
thought something horrible and painful. People are afraid of it. But the
poetess has presented death as a kind and gentle companion. As such it
transports man to its final goal in a pleasurable manner.
Moreover, the poetess has pointed out that death does not put an end
to life. It is the beginning of a new life. It is an essential part of human life
on earth. Man performs his journey of life from childhood to old age in the
carriage of death. Death is very kind on man. Man forgets death in the
pursuits of his daily life. But death does not forget him. It calls on him.
According to the poetess death brings with it a wonderful sense of
peace and religious serenity. The poetess conceives death not an end to
human life but a beginning to immortality. In her view, we must face death
with calm and serenity.
Theme
There are several important themes in ‘Because I could not stop for Death’.
The most obvious of these are mortality and death. What makes this poem’s
take on these two themes so interesting is that they are depicted from a
position of immortality. The speaker is already in the afterlife when she’s
describing her experiences with death.
This leads to another theme, immortality. This is part of the reason why
the speaker is so calm throughout the majority of the poem. Such themes
are also explored in other Emily Dickinson poems.
14. Light Out

By Edward Thomas
Summary

Edward Thomas is a romantic poet. The poetry of Edward Thomas is marked

with his love of the ordinary things and people of the England countryside. In
the poem Lights out he views sleep from a very interesting angle. Sleep is a
very powerful thing. It has a dominating effect on all human beings. No man
can withstand its lure. It is the source of peace. Sleep is a very mighty and
powerful thing. The poet compares sleep with forest.

Everyone lost in the forest of sleep. Sleep has an equal influence on

everybody. The pious and wicked have to yield before it sooner or later. It
levels everybody. People work from dawn to dusk. They worked dawn to dusk.
At night when lights go out, they find themselves in the lap of sleep.

103
 Sleep is the end of everything. All kinds of feelings come to an end. When
sleep is attacked we forget everything. He throws away the most interesting
book. He divorces from his mind the face of his mind the face of his dear
friends and relatives. The poet wishes to go into the unknown forest of sleep
without holding anything in his hand. He does not know how he will overcome
this difficult experience. When we study this poem, we feel a sense of
gratitude.

At the same time, this poem seems to have a hidden and implicit idea of
death in it. Death and sleep are closely related. After death, the activities and
pursuits also come it an end. Simple and easy language is used in this poem.
It makes for interesting reading.

Critical Appreciation

Lights out by Edward Thomas is a thought-provoking and simple poem. In this

poem, the poet expresses his views about sleep which is a very important
aspect and instinctive need of all living beings. He is of the opinion that sleep
has such great power as cannot be competed with. All our activities, desires,
and ambitions fail to hold sleep. In short, man is helpless before sleep. The
poet uses the image of a deep forest to describe sleep.

This forest has many paths but we can not decide which way to go when
we reach the border of this forest, we feel like losing ourselves in it. Sleep has
strange deceptiveness. Since the break of the day, it deceives us. But as soon
as the night falls, we begin to feel the impact of sleep.

The poet says there is no sensation as powerful as sleep. It makes us ignore

even the dearest and most precious emotions like love and ambition. It makes
us forget our despairs of the day.

All pleasures and all troubles lose their significance. We are ready to
neglect even the dearest face we love in order to lose ourselves in the forest
of sleep. We feel as if cloudy foliage is heaping itself upon us. Sleep makes us
submit to its powerful and we lose our way in this forest quite willingly.

Theme

Edward Thomas describes Lights Out poem in this way we observe that
without sleep we become tired and it is main theme of the poem this can be
seen in critical summary in poem Lights Out poem by Edward Thomas. The
poet has used the phrase “to the borders of sleep because of the following
reasons.

Firstly, the poem is about the arrival of sleep; hence, it is the early stage
of sleep which is like a dense jungle. See the following verses of the poem in
this connection:-

104
“I have come to the borders of sleep,

The unfathomable deep

Forest where all must lose,

Their way, however straight,

Or winding, soon or late;

They cannot choose.”

Secondly, when a person is about to go deep into the valley of

sleep, he is just like a person who is about to enter somewhere which is

having boundaries.

Thirdly, the poet has used the word “borders” because sleep is an
abstract idea but having sea like depth in itself, that is why the poet has called
it “an unfathomable deep forest” so if he considers sleep the deep forest then
he has to use the above phrase to convey the borders of sleep.

Fourthly, the man whose sleeping condition has been presented

here was about to sleep, hence the poet has used the phrase “I have

come to the borders of sleep”

15. After Apple Picking

By Robert Frost
Summary

The poem has been explained by the critics on a symbolic level. The poem
forecasts the poet's old age and death in the long run. It is a matter of general
observation that a man is always dissatisfied with what he has done in his life.
This feeling is quite intense when he is about to depart from this world. He
remembers the desired not fulfilled, the tasks not accomplished and the
duties not performed at the end of his life.

The writer has been extremely preoccupied with the tasks of life. He is
now in the winter of life. He feels like drowsing. He is near his death, for
winter can symbolize decay, drowsiness, and death. The poet's emphasis on
the task of apple picking shows that on the whole, he is satisfied with his
work, But there are still some desires which remain unfulfilled in life There are
certain tasks which man wants to perform but death comes to him. It is this
sense of incompleteness that is implied in the following line.

105
 The scent of apples is spread in the garden. The poet takes us to another
sight of nature, which is quite appealing and attractive to the senses. The
reddish-brown color of the apples is a pleasant sight indeed. In the morning
he happens to remove a transparent sheet of snow from the chilled water of
the trough and holds It against the white snow grass. The piece of snow is
melted now.

The poem gives us many hints about pastoral activity. In his dream, the
poet hears the rumbling sound of apples pouring in the small storeroom. He is
tired of apple picking The damaged apples are preserved for wine. The
images used in the poem have been taken from natural sights. We can say
that After Apple Picking is a beautiful lyric on the poet's love of nature.

Critical Appreciation

"After Apple-Picking " is an interesting poem by Robert Frost who is the most
celebrated American poet. His poetry revolves around his own experiences as
a part of American rural life. In this poem, he talks to us about an apple picker
who is overcome by sleep while picking apples. The poet skillfully describes
the impact of sleep on a man who is busy doing his favorite job. To him, sleep
is the most powerful of human instincts.

In this poem, the apple-picker has just had a bumper crop of apples
which he has always desired for. He is busy picking apples when he is
overcome by sleep. Now, he is semi-conscious of what he is doing. He fears
lest he should drop apples on the ground as all such apples go the cedar-
apple heap.

Now hen he has picked thousands of apples, he feels fed up with this
unending routine and wishes to lose himself in the world of sleep.It shows a
conflict between his ambition and his instinct. The world seems to him as
hazy as it seemed when he looked through the slab of ice early this morning.
he hears the rumbling sound of apples being unloaded in the cellar. But he
cannot continue apple-picking as sleep has such power as cannot be resisted.

Theme

As Robert Doyle has said, the stuff of the poem is ‘common.’ But out of the
‘common’, the poet has created a tone that will govern the reader’s response
to the material. What is the material then?

After Apple Picking centers round theme of life and death. Here the
woodchuck and the evening time clearly symbolize death. The role of the
apple picker indicates the uncertainty of life. Another significant theme of the
poem is the all pervasive impact of Nature on human being. Like a loving
mother nature plays a role of influencer to man.

106
16. The Vanishing Village

By R. S Thomas
Summary

This poem presents a dreadful picture of a deserted village. It seems to be a

haunted village. It has scarcely a street and a few houses. Its inhabitants have
left it. Here the poet says that people are migrating. That is why; the villages in
the modern age have become empty and deserted. In the village, there is only
one shop and hotel. The houses are also in bad shape. The streets of the
village have disappeared. There is us one path in the village which leads
nowhere. The most tragic thing is that path leads to the top of the sort hill.
The hill is eaten away by the long erosion of green tide.

The village presents a sad picture in the poem. It suggests the negation
of life the deserted village is the symbol of the waste and barrenness of
modern life. As villages are vanishing similarly healthy life is destroying day by
day. The death overpowered the death. The poet feels very sad about this
change. The poet continues to presents a sad picture in all poems. He says
that even the black dog, which once tried to cracking his fleas, has also died.
There is hope. There a girl who crosses from door to door and in this way
connects the village with life and nature.

The presence of the girl in the village is a symbol of hope. The deserted
village is not going to disappear at all. Perhaps, this is the central theme of
the poem. . But the basic unit of civilization and culture is still a village. A
village still remains the most powerful nit of life in the world. It has to play a
meaningful role in the social evolution explained by the great thinker Plato.
The poet yearns for a revival of the previous colorful life and activity of the
ideal Greek village. He mourns on vanishing village. He is wistful about the
revival of the village. The tone of the poet is sad wistful and sometimes witty.
The frozen life of the village is reflected in the slow movement of the lines.

Critical Appreciation

The poet has painted a dark and disappointing picture of village life in this
poem. It seems to be haunted village. It has scarcely a street and too few
houses. Its inhabitants have left. Here the poet suggests that urbanization of
cities has forced the villagers to migrate to the cities. That is why the
villagers in the modern age have become empty and deserted. In the
deserted village, there is only left one tavern and one shop. The houses are
also in bad shape. The streets of the village have disappeared. There is a just
one path lead to the short hill. The hill to is eaten away by long erosion of
green tide. The green grass which once covered the hill has withered.

107
 The village offers us a gloomy and dismal picture of life. It suggests the
negation of life. The deserted village is the symbol of the waste and
barrenness of modern life. Like the vanishing village, the signs of healthy life
have disappeared from modern life. There is waste and wilderness
everywhere in the world. The forces of death and destruction have
overpowered the forces of life and birth. The poet feels very sad at this
change.
The poet continues to build sad and gloomy picture of the deserted village
in the rest of the poem. He says that ever the black dog, which once tried
to ‗cracking his fleas‘ has also died. There is however, one way of hope in
this gloomy village life. There is a girl who crosses from door to door and in
this way connects the village life and nature. The presence of the girl in the
village does not lessen the gloom of the village but by contrast it adds to its
total annihilation.
The deserted village is not going to disappear at all. Perhaps this is the
central them of the poem. Thepoet believes that the unchecked migration of
the village people to the cities goes unchecked. But the basic unit of
civilization and culture is still a village. A village still remains the most
powerful unit of life in the world. It has to play a meaningful role in the social
evolution explained by the great thinker Plato.
The poet yearns for the survival of the previous colorful life and
activity of the ideal Greek village. He is sad and serious at the vanishing of the
basic unit of civilization. In the destruction of that village, he sees the
annihilation of village life with its golden traditions and social values. He
sincerely believes that village life still holds an important position in the
modern human civilization. In the poem, the barren wastes of life have been
contrasted with the regeneration of life. The poet longs to retain the village in
the modern set up of the world.

Theme

The theme of the poem is very effectively presented by the poet in the poem.
He wants to say that village is the basic unit of the whole civilization; its
destruction is ultimately the destruction of the whole fabric of the civilization.

The poet is of the opinion that the village should be saved from their
immediate or gradual destruction. See the following lines of the poem in
which the poet has shown his desire and theme:-

“Stay, then village for round you spin,

108
On slow axis, a world as vast,

And meaningful as any poised,

By great Plato’s solitary mind”

17. When I Have Fear

By John Keats
Summary

Keats occupies an eminent position among romantic poets. Hia poetry is

remarkable for its love of Nature, imagination, and rich descriptive poetry.
This sonnet about death. . Three years later, he died, In a way, the sonnet
proved prophetic. Keats also knew that he could not live very long because he
had consumption in his family. In this sonnet, the poet is afraid of his untimely
death. He developed a sense of despair at it. He has a lot of things to write
about His brain is teeming with ideas and imaginations and he wants to
convey them to people through his poetry. The poet believes that he has the
capacity to become a great poet.

The poet is highly afraid of death. In the case of his early death, the world
will be deprived of many lofty and grand themes. He wants to write his poem
with lofty and grand themes. The poet is worried that in case of his early
death, he will be deprived of the fame, which he rightly deserves. In the last
stanza, he moves toward his beloved. He is actively pained to think that with
his death, he will be permanently separated from her. Never again, he will
drive the joy of the passionate and heavenly love.

The poet never mentions the word death in all poems. The phrase cease to
be is far more effective in its suggestion of death. The image of harvest is
typically Keatsian and original; The pen is compared to the harvest sickle and
the thoughts of the brain to the full ripened grain and laden with grain sheaves.
It is a fanciful image and suggestive of Keats's love for natural objects.

Critical Appreciation
When I have Fears" is a beautiful poem by John Keats who is one of the most
celebrated poets of the Romantic era. IN this poem, he expresses his fear
about his early demise. This fact adds to the charm of this poem that he
actually died at a very young age. In this sense, this poem contains an
autobiographical turn as well as a prophetic element. Keats inherited
consumption as a family disease and he feared lest he should die before he
had put all his ideas in his verse he was an ambitious poet who wanted to
write great poems in a large number. But death did not spare him much time
and he took his ambition wi him.

109
 In this poem, Keats expresses the fear of his early death, At the same time,
he desires to compose as many poems as may fill piles of books. He wants to
write poetry on every aspect of human life and character. He wants his pen to
glean every thought from his mind and put it on the paper in the form of verse.
He desires his anthologies to be preserved with as much care as planter
preservers sacks of grain in a granary.

He addresses different objects of nature in a sorrowful mood. he feels

sorry that he will not be able to look at night's starred face and cloudy
symbols of high romance. he also addresses his beloved as a fair creature of
an hour. he feels grieved when he thinks that he will not be able to see her and
enjoy her loving company after his death.

Keats feels as if he were standing at the shore of the world from where
he sees his love and fame sinking it the sea. It shows another side of his fear.
he fears lest his poetic compositions should be forgotten. Actually, he wants
to be immortal through his art of poetry.

Theme

The poet has expressed the theme of death in this poem in a romantic and
pathetic manner. We are shocked and moved at the tragic death of the poet.
His early death deprived the world of a great poet of prolific ideas and
imaginations. We can say that the poet has treated the theme of death from a
personal point of view but he has transformed it into the general tragedy of
human existence. There is a concept of regret and sadness running the poem.
It makes us sad.

18. Kubla khan

By S.T. Coleridge
Summary

S. T. Coleridge was a great romantic poet. he had great power of imagination

In 1779, he was reading the book "Purcha's Pilgrimage". The book had a
chapter on a voyage to China. The poet fell asleep during the course of
reading the book. When he woke, he wrote this poem. In this poem, the poet
uses a great imagination. The poet tells us that Kubla Khan was the king of
China. He ordered his men to build a place for him in an imaginary city Xanadu.
The palace was a miracle of rare device. It covered an area of ten miles. It
was encircled with walls and towers.

The sacred river Alph ran by it. It flowed through caves that were
immeasurable. the palace also contained gardens. The bright streams ran
through those gardens. There were trees that were laden with fragrant flowers.
The site was encircled by forests as ancient as the hills. It also contained

110
sunny spots of greenery. The palace had one wonderful thing. It was the
romantic chasm that sloped down the green hill. It was sheltered by a cove of
trees. The place was holy and enchanted. A powerful fountain flowed from
that romantic chasm It flowed with great force. it seemed as if the earth were
having heavy breaths. The water of this fountain sprang up with great force.

The forceful water threw away huge stones in the air. It presented the
same scene as the hails rebounding after striking the earth. The rocks around
the fountain seemed to be dancing due to the movement of water. The holy
river Alph ran through an area of ten miles. It passed through the valley and
the forests in a zigzag manner. It also passed through caves immeasurable to
man Finally, it sank into a lifeless ocean produced strange noise when it
entered the sea

Critical Appreciation

“Kubla khan” by S.T. Coleridge is the best example of pure imaginative poetry.
Coleridge was one of the celebrated poets of the Romantic era. He was
deeply fascinated by the metaphysical and supernatural elements. In this
poem, he makes good use of his imagination and takes the readers into a
world full of mystery. His narration is so powerful that is impelled to a willing
suspension of disbelief.

Coleridge gives a detailed description of Kubla khan’s pleasure dome. It

was got constructed fin the sacred land of Xanado where the sacred river
Alph, having flowed through measureless caves falls into a sunless sea. This
pleasure dome covers an area of five square miles. It is full of gardens which
shine with the water of winding streams There are trees and plants decked
with fragrant flowers in this garden This pleasure dome contains such forests
as are ancient like hills.

There is a chasm across a green hill that fascinates the poet. It is a place
where a distracted maiden must. Have wailed for her demon- lover. A
measureless spring sprouts from this chasm and it looks as if the earth were
breathing heavily as the water comes out of it. Kubla khan listens to the voice
of his ancestors in this jumble of various sounds, His ancestral voices wan
him of impending wars. It adds to the supernatural impact of the poem.

Theme

Kubla Khan” begins by announcing that it is a poem about “pleasure.” It

proposes to describe the Mongol leader’s summer palace, along with all its
luxurious—and, for the speaker, exotic—pleasures. However, the poem soon
takes a curious turn. Instead of describing sumptuous decorations or brilliant
jewels, it focuses mainly on the river that runs through the grounds of the
palace. What’s more, instead of describing that river in pleasant terms, it often

111
focuses on the river’s violent energy.

Through these descriptions, “Kubla Khan” suggests that pleasure and

beauty are neither simple nor uncomplicated. Rather, the poem shows that
pleasure and beauty come from the conflict between opposing forces—and
that they always contain some degree of violence and ugliness.

19. Hawk,s Monologue

By Ted Hughes
Summary

Ted Hughes is a British poet of great poetic excellence. his poetry is a study
of human nature in its various forms. Death, destruction, violence, and
savagery are the basic themes of this poem. Hawk's Monologue illustrates
the fact that the habit to plunder and prey contains the seeds of destruction.
The all people who have power forget that their power will end one day. The
poem is written the form of a monologue. A monologue is a speech delivered
by the main character of the poem. The poet and other characters remain in
the background.

In this poem, the hawk is the main character who boasts of this supremacy
over all other creatures of God. The hawk is sitting on a tree and thinking
about his prey. His eyes are closed He is a power-drunk He is sitting idle but
he claims that he knows his action well. his hooked, head and the hooked feat
never forget to prey on their victim even when they are inactive. They can hunt
kill and eat in sleep also.

The hawk claims that his power never ended. He is sitting on a tree higher
than other girds. This is a position of advantage and supremacy of him. He
receives the sun's rays and the pleasing effect of the air contrary to other
creations of God. The earth also helps him in his prey. He boasts that he is the
crown of all creations. His every foot and each feather are fashioned by God
with extreme care and beauty.

He has the power and authority to kill anything anywhere. He is very

powerful and mighty. It is his habit to tear off the heads of his victims he is
merciless and inhuman. His main aim is to destroy others. His path is full of
bones and dead bodies. He has the absolute authority to question him. The
hawk goes on to assert that nothing is going to change. He has been going on
in his destructive activities for centuries together. His eye has permitted no
change. His supremacy and excellence are permanent and are not going out
to suffer. any change.

He further says that his flight is incomplete if he does not kill others.
Nobody is there to deprive him of his right. He claims that his powerful eyes

112
have allowed things to change to his disadvantages, and will create
difficulties for him. "Hawk's Monologue" points out the basic truth which is
shared by all power-drunk rulers. All rulers think that their power never ended.

Critical Appreciation

Hawk's Monologue is an interesting poem by Ted Hughes. The poem may be

seen as a comment on the approach of those who are power-drunk. They
want to rule the world through dictatorial means. They consider themselves
above any regulation. To them, sympathy is a far cry, They need no
justification for whatever they do. They are accountable for nothing and to
none. As the title suggests, a hawk talks to himself in this poem.

The old hawk of the poem is sitting at the topmost branch of a tree in the
forest with his eyes closed. He talks to himself and boasts about his
achievements. He says that his hooked head and hooked feet know how to
hunt even when they seem inactive. Different elements of nature assist him in
chasing and catching his prey. The air helps him fly high.

The rays of the sun help him look clearly. Even the face of the earth assists
him to locate his prey. He claimes to have a right on killing any bird that
comes his way His beak and claws are made to crush the heads of other birds
that are inferior to him in power. He says that he knows well how powerful he
is since his creation. He has not seen any change and will not allow any
change.

Theme

The theme of the poem is thought-provoking. In this world, powerful people

think that they are monarchs. They are vain of their power. They haunt and
tease others. They kill others only for their happiness. Intoxicated by their
power, fame, and prosperity, they forget their downfall. but with the passage
of time, they lose their power and glory. The Hawk is a symbol of power in the
poem and also a symbol of death and destruction.

20. Say This City Has Ten Million Souls

By W. H. Auden
Summary

The poem is thought-provoking. In this poem, he gives us the picture of

America where class distinction exists completely. Some people live in huge
buildings and some are living in small cottages. But there is no room for those
people who come to this country from other countries for protection and
shelter.

113
 The poet recalls in a pathetic manner that once they had a country of
their own. It was very dear to them. They can go back because they have no
home. He remembers the different sense of his country. The old passports
are a hindrance. in their going back. The old passports are unable to identify
them. They are a hindrance to their freedom and rights.

The poet is very sad due to the attitude of passport officials. They told
him that without a passport he is dead. The poet goes to the seaport and sees
the fish swimming freely in the water. He sees birds chirping in the trees,
which enjoy more freedom than human beings. Perhaps, they enjoy this
freedom because they are not politicians in them They are fortunate because
they are not human beings.

The poet says that there are many huge buildings in this country. They
have a thousand windows and a thousand doors. But we have no home
among these thousands of buildings. On the other hand, they are suspected
as an enemy to the country by thousands of soldiers who are deputed to
check their identity? Soldiers definitely killed them.

The poet has been successful draw a sad picture of refugees. The
refugees suffer physically as well as emotionally they are isolated and
alienated from the main lot. The point is that man has become worse than
animals.

Critical Appreciation

This is an issue-based poem. the poet pleads with the case of the immigrants
of World War II. Hitler's killing of the German Jews on a very large scale
forced the survivors to seek refuge in the United States of America However,
when they reached there, they found that there was no room for them. Auden
insists on helping humanity beyond the issues of caste, creed, and religion.

Auden describes the miserable plight of the Jews who migrated from
Germany to America. They were badly affected by the war. They had lost their
dear ones. They had lost their homeland. They recall that they had a country
once, but now they cannot return to it. The poet condemns the inhuman
treatment o the refugees at the passport counters. They begin to realize that
a refugee has no country to claim his own.

In a place where their identity does not matter, they are dead officially,
though alive physically, Every refugee faces similar problems of citizenship.
There is general hatred against them.

The poet expresses grief that even birds and animals live a better life than
the refugees The poet analyzes that the birds enjoy this freedom as they have
not politician among them. The poet successfully presents the case of the
immigrants.

114
Theme

This poem highlights an international issue of refugees. The problems of

refugees are common in the world. The poet describes the feeling of
homeless people. According to the poet, human life has fallen beneath the
level of animal life. The poet criticizes politicians because politicians corrupt
the world.

21. Politics

By W. B. Yeats
Summary

"Politics" is a small but very beautiful poem on love. The poet considers love
as the greatest reality on earth. Love according to him is a mighty and
powerful thing. It exercises a deep influence on the mind, heart, and soul of
man. In this poem, he compares the all-pervasive influence of love to that of
politics.

Politics is also a great reality of modern life. The modern age is

remarkable for its interest in politics. Politics has become very popular in
every field of life. Politics corrupted religion and culture. . However, love is
better than politics because politics is a dirty game. It is love. Love is supreme
and excellent.

The poet does not like politics. He does not show any interest in Roman
Russian or Spanish politics. He does not want to know what is happening in
these countries. In fact, the poet falls in love with a girl who is standing there
symbolizes youth and beauty. The world of power appears meaningless
before her beautiful face.

The poet says that. no doubt politics is very important. He points out that
a well-traveled person may have a broad vision of life. He may have adequate
knowledge of the political situation of different countries. He is a well-read
and well-thought person. His arguments on politics are weighty. His
knowledge of current affairs of life is sound. His analysis of world politics
may be correct.

His assessment of conflicts and wars is correct. But a lover is better

than a politician. True love conquers all fields of life and enlightens our mind
and soul It moves our heart to things of nobility and grandeur. Politics in spite
of its influence holds an inferior position to the power of love.

Critical Appreciation

Politics by W. S.yeats is an interesting poem. In this poem, the poet conveys a

115
message that love and desire remain human needs in every phase of life.
Love has such power as can dominates every other passion. In this age, when
politics is the most favorite subject around the world, the poet is so inspired
by the beauty of a young lady that he cannot pay attention to any other topic.
He can not avoid himself to see the beauty of this girl. He desires to be young
again and clasp her in his embrace.

The poet sees a beautiful and charming lady standing in front of him. Her
elegance stirs a storm of love in the heart of the old man. In this situation, the
old man is asked to pay attention to international politics and try to find out
political turns taking place in Rome, Spain, and Russia. His attention is
diverted towards a tourist who has been to different countries of the world.
He has witnessed wars and their impacts all over the world.

The poet is asked to listen to a politician also. This impresses the poet who
is constantly looking at the young lady, To him, her beauty is more fascinating
than the experiences of the tourist and the politician. He desires to be young
again and take her in his arms and enjoy her passionate lofe. The poet has
presented a contrast between the feelings of love and otherworldly concerns.
He is of the opinion that love may put into shade all concerns of the world.

Theme

The theme of the poem is the contrast between love and politics. The
information of a traveled man and politician about coming war may be true
but he says that there are better things in this world than politics, disputes,
and wars. The poet does not deny the political reality because, without politics,
a country cannot progress well.

The destiny of a nation depends on its politics in modern man but in spite
of this, there is another great reality which is love. We cannot get peace from
politics but love gives us mental and spiritual peace and happiness. So the
world of politics becomes dim before such a bright and shining world.

22. Snake

By D.H. Lawrence
Summary

" Snake" by D. H. Lawrence is a beautiful poem. the poet, in this poem,

suggests that man must love all the creatures of the world. He must not take
initiative to hurt any other creature however dangerous it may seem. Man
must treat birds, animals, and reptiles affectionately. He has no right to assert
his superiority by causing harm to other creatures. The poem is also a
comment on the worldly education that fills man with fears and a sense of
uncertainty.

116
 The poet describes how on a sunny day of July, he comes downstairs to
fetch some water from the trough when he sees a snake drinking water at the
trough. it has come out of the hole in the mud wall. The poet stands still and
looks at the reptile. The snake also looks at the poet. At first, the poet thinks
of killing the snake. His worldly education instructs him to do so as the snake
is considered a dangerous reptile. However, he hears a call from his within,. It
feels him that the snake is his guest and the guests should be treated
honorably.

Critical Appreciation

"Snake" is a great poem. The poem is simple but it has deep meanings. The
poet says that instinct is better than reasoning. The poet saw a snake that
was drinking water at his water trough. He liked the snake. His inner voice
said him snakes are dangerous so he must kill him. He picked a stick and
threw him on the snake but his target was missed and he was very ashamed
of his action.

They belives that the snake is a king of the underground world and must be
treated accordingly. This is a very long poem of 74 lines. It has been written in
the type of " Free verse" There is no rhyme scheme in the poem. Some lines
are very long and some are very short. The poem is remarkable for the
descriptive power of the poet otherwise language is very simple.

Theme

The theme of the poem is that our feeling of love sympathy was crushed by
our social education. Man kills other animals just to prove his bravery and
manly hood. This is not humanity. He should not kill other animals for his fun
because every creature has the right to live in this world like a human being.
We should not interfere with other's lives. They have their own likes and
dislikes. Every creature of God whats freedom and we should not interfere
with their lives.

23. Images and impressions

1) . Autumn

By T. E. Hulme
Summary

The poem Autumn by r. E. Hulme shows the keen observation of the poet who
presents a graphic of an autumn night. The poet compares the moon with red-
faced farmers and stars with white-faced children who live in the polluted
urban environment. The poet has presented a graphic picture of an autumn
night. He left a cold sensation caused by the effect of the cold night during

117
winter night when he was writing about. he saw the moon which had fresh
healthy color and it seemed as if it was bending over the hedge. The face of
the moon looked exactly like the face of a vigorous farmer.

The poet had not time to stop and talk with the moon. Though he did not
have time to appreciate his beauty yet he moved his head slightly to greet the
moon. Around the autumn moon, there were eager stars who were looking
like town children who had white and pale faces. The poet has used similes in
the poem, red moon like a face of a farmer and stars like town children. There
is a contrast between the red face of the farmer and the to nature and in a
pollution-free world. But the children of cities are so weak and feeble and have
white and pale faces because of the polluted environment. The presentation
and description of the poem are very good.

Critical Appreciation

In this poem, the poet tells us about an autumn night. He was walking outside.
The atmosphere was very cold. He saw ht moon shining over a hedge. The
moon was looking like a ref-faced healthy farmer working in his fields. The
poet has used the reference of the farmer to show the clean, fresh, and
healthful atmosphere of villages where the farmer lives. The poet did not stop
for few moments to talk with the moon. He shook his head and moved away.
Around the moon, there were wistful stars. They were white like white-faced
children of cities or towns. This reference is used here to show the dirty and
polluted environment of cities. Usually, the faces of the people of cities are
white which shows a lack of health and freshness.

The poet felt a cold sensation caused by the effect of a cold night during a
winter night when he was walking about. He saw the moon which had fresh
healthy color and it seemed as if it was bending over the hedge. The face of
the moon looked exactly like the face of a vigorous farmer. The image of a
healthy farmer has been successfully conveyed with the help of the simile
moon. The poet compared the ruddy face of the moon with the ruddy face of
a farmer. The farmers mostly remain in the open and the fresh air keeps them
in good health and their faces turn red and shining. The presentation and
description of the poet are very good.

Theme

Autumn; a season of demise and gloom has been given a fresh perspective by
Keats in 'Ode to Autumn'. Keats, being an admirer of beauty manages to find it
in every aspect of nature including the dim scenes of the autumn season.
Many themes of the poem have been suggested:-

The progression of autumn season is depicted in three stanzas; from its

'mellow fruitfulness' and abundance in the first stanza to its laborious labor in

118
the second stanza and finally into its gradual demise heralding the winter.

Also, parallel to this Keats illustrates the growing day from morning to
afternoon into evening. Just as life grows into its highest achievements
during the youth following it come the laboring days of middle age and finally
old age indicating the approaching death. he term 'cycle' gives us an idea of
an unending circulating journey. Thus,death not being the ultimate destination,
Keats taints the poem with hopes of afterlife.

After nearly one and a half year of the poem's publication Keats died in
Rome. Some critics also refer to the absence of a person of poet, unlike
Keats' other Odes as an indication of the submerged sense of his own fear of
death and a hope that death is not the ultimate end. Therefore, despite the
progression of autumn towards its demise throughout the poem the tone of
the poem remains optimistic.

Autumn conspires with the sun, its intimate friend and fills the kernel of
each fruit to its core. All of nature in a cohesive bond works to provide for the
sustenance of human beings. The season gives all it has got for the
preparation of winter which leads to such an abundance of nature that it
creates an illusion of permanence.

Due to its hard work the personified autumn is parched and can be found
resting at the granary floor. Drenched with fulfilment, as nature enjoys the
final drops of apple cider, the season propels towards its demise. Similar to
this is the work of an artist. The artist pours out from the intrinsic core into
the creative masterpiece. Even the last drop of the artist's essence of life is
sacrificed to his artistic creation for satiation of the human soul.

2) . Fog

By Carl Sanburg
Summary

In this image of Fog, the poet is depicting a beautiful picture about the arrival
of a foggy and misty environment. He says that the fog comes noiselessly like
a cat. Soon it spreads over the whole area and it covers the harbor and city
under its blanket. It seems as some cat is sitting on its hind legs. At last like
an animal, it moves away along with its dark covering.

Theme

In this poem, the poet presents fog like human beings. He personified fog
with the cat who comes silently and spread all over the world. It covers all
things around. It remains in seaports and city then it goes away. This poem is
written in very few words but has a great message in it. He presents fog as a

119
human being.

3) . Metro : Pairs

by Ezra Pound
Summary

The poet has described his feelings when he saw a sight of Metr-Paris railway
station. He says that the appearance of the faces in the crowd looks just like
those petals which are hanging on a wet black branch. These sickly faces
create an impression like few petals still left sticking on a bough. Here he
wants to criticize those people who try to spend unnatural and fast life which
is depriving man of his good health because, in such a life, We have a harmful
and polluted environment.

Critical Appreciation

" Metro-Paris is a very, very short poem comprising of the two lies. It took the
poet 18 months to compose this single-sentence poem. This short poem
appears to be a masterpiece of still life. The poet tells how the crowd of
people sem to him at the tube station of the railway in Paris.

The faces of the persons at the tube station of the railway in Paris seem to
him as wet petals on a black branch. A very fine picturesque quality is found
in the poem. The people at the railway station are soul-less having pale eyes,
yellow faces, and dull impressions. They are like dead leaves on a dead
branch of a tree.

The long cylinder-like station appears to be like a wet bough and the
faces of people are like petals. The metaphors of petals and wet bough are
beautifully presented. Black stands for grief, sorrow, and death. The
atmosphere is uncomfortable and dull without any sign of life. The poet paints
a beautiful picture through his imagination.

Theme

Ezra pound in a station of the metro is a piece of imagism work. This is

another very small poem consisting only of two lines. In this poem the poet
has used another beautiful metaphor. The poet has observed the people
standing on the underground Paris Railway Station. He thinks that the people
were looking the same as if they were the petals on the wet black
bough/branch.

Actually he has conveyed the sense that while standing on the Railway
Station the people have common thinking that is of waiting for somebody.
The beauty of the poem is very clear from the complete poem which is quoted

120
as under:

“The apparition of these faces in the crowd;

Petals on a wet black borgh”

121