"an how i can be a princess
me a princess"
This poem was an allusion to the fairy tale, The Princess and the Frog. However, in this version, the speaker does not accept the Frog's invitation. Instead, she flushes the Frog down the toilet. To me, that speaks of how often something good and we simply flush it away. We have to be able to distinguish the "Frogs" from "the little green perverts." I thought the way the poem was written was really interesting, but I honestly didn't really understand what the point of it was.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
"To His Coy Mistress"-Andrew Marvell
"For, lady, you deserve this state,
Nor would I love at a lower rate."
This poem is all about time. The speaker wishes he had enough time to court his lover slowly. However, he, like everyone else, only has a limited time. If he could, he would adore her forever. He wants to have more time. He is saying that they should get together now while they are young instead of wasting time with other potential lovers. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised this poem was allowed in the 17th century. It basically just sounds like he's trying to get her in bed.
Nor would I love at a lower rate."
This poem is all about time. The speaker wishes he had enough time to court his lover slowly. However, he, like everyone else, only has a limited time. If he could, he would adore her forever. He wants to have more time. He is saying that they should get together now while they are young instead of wasting time with other potential lovers. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised this poem was allowed in the 17th century. It basically just sounds like he's trying to get her in bed.
"Getting Out" by Cleopatra Mathis-Tone
"...Every night
another refusal, the silent work
of the tightening of the heart."
The tone of this passage is somber and regretful. The speaker is experiencing a divorce with her husband. She describes the time before the divorce with words like "exhausted" and "escaped." The anecdotes she relays are full of fights and sad moments. Obviously, the divorce was not easy on either of them. Then, after the divorce, the couple is hesitant to let go. Even if they weren't able to make it work in marriage, they obviously still care about each other. The ex-husband writes letters saying he is happy, but if he feels the same as the speaker, then that is doubtful.
another refusal, the silent work
of the tightening of the heart."
The tone of this passage is somber and regretful. The speaker is experiencing a divorce with her husband. She describes the time before the divorce with words like "exhausted" and "escaped." The anecdotes she relays are full of fights and sad moments. Obviously, the divorce was not easy on either of them. Then, after the divorce, the couple is hesitant to let go. Even if they weren't able to make it work in marriage, they obviously still care about each other. The ex-husband writes letters saying he is happy, but if he feels the same as the speaker, then that is doubtful.
"Crossing the Bar" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson- Imagery
"Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!"
When I was first reading this poem, I took it to literally mean the speaker was going on a journey at night. It is, of course, full of imagery of night. Words like "evening," "twilight," and "the dark," left a picture of the setting sun and the coming night. However, once I reached the last stanza, I realized that the entire poem had been a metaphor for death. "The bar" would be the line between life and death. The "Pilot" is God, and the "one clear call" is God's call to the speaker. The speaker is dying, but is not mourning this death. He or she wants a peaceful death with "no sadness of farewell," and views it simply as the next step to take.
And one clear call for me!"
When I was first reading this poem, I took it to literally mean the speaker was going on a journey at night. It is, of course, full of imagery of night. Words like "evening," "twilight," and "the dark," left a picture of the setting sun and the coming night. However, once I reached the last stanza, I realized that the entire poem had been a metaphor for death. "The bar" would be the line between life and death. The "Pilot" is God, and the "one clear call" is God's call to the speaker. The speaker is dying, but is not mourning this death. He or she wants a peaceful death with "no sadness of farewell," and views it simply as the next step to take.
"My mistress' eyes" by William Shakespeare- Simile
"My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;"
Most poems that describe love often resort to describing the lover's physical beauty. At times, this becomes the main theme of the poem. However, this sonnet by Shakespeare is nothing like that. The speaker mentions all the typical comparisons that poets describe their lovers as, but then negates every one. My first impression was that the speaker wasn't praising his love, but actually trying to be offensive. However, once I read the last line, I understood. "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare/ As any she belied with false compare." The speaker is saying that although she isn't society's version of beauty, he loves her for what she is. He sees the beauty in her face, even though others may not, and he also sees the beauty inside of her.
Most poems that describe love often resort to describing the lover's physical beauty. At times, this becomes the main theme of the poem. However, this sonnet by Shakespeare is nothing like that. The speaker mentions all the typical comparisons that poets describe their lovers as, but then negates every one. My first impression was that the speaker wasn't praising his love, but actually trying to be offensive. However, once I read the last line, I understood. "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare/ As any she belied with false compare." The speaker is saying that although she isn't society's version of beauty, he loves her for what she is. He sees the beauty in her face, even though others may not, and he also sees the beauty inside of her.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
"Barbie Doll" by
"Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs."This poem was of personal interest to me. It was a relevant and totally understandable commentary on today's society. I've played with Barbies all my life, and I remember how I idolized them. Every day, girls have that same image put in their face. They see that and think that's what they have to look like. Then, when they grow up, and they don't look like that, they get plastic surgery or wear makeup to change themselves. Girls don't realize that they don't have to look like Barbie dolls.
"Mr. Z" by M. Carl Holman
"Taught early that his mother's skin was the sign of error,"
Question 6 asks what color Mr. Z was. At first glance, I thought he could be any ethnicity (besides Caucasian). However, after rereading the poem, he is an African American. "Cornbread, yams, and collards" are foods traditionally associated with the south, and "jazz and spirituals" are more specifically associated with African Americans. However, since it is only his mother's skin that is the "sign of error," his father was probably Caucasian, and Mr. Z was the child of these two races. The irony in the last line is that Mr. Z is "One of the most distinguished members of his race" yet, that is the last thing he would have wanted. He tried all his life to escape his mother's culture and heritage. He cast aside that part of him to act as if he were completely white.
Question 6 asks what color Mr. Z was. At first glance, I thought he could be any ethnicity (besides Caucasian). However, after rereading the poem, he is an African American. "Cornbread, yams, and collards" are foods traditionally associated with the south, and "jazz and spirituals" are more specifically associated with African Americans. However, since it is only his mother's skin that is the "sign of error," his father was probably Caucasian, and Mr. Z was the child of these two races. The irony in the last line is that Mr. Z is "One of the most distinguished members of his race" yet, that is the last thing he would have wanted. He tried all his life to escape his mother's culture and heritage. He cast aside that part of him to act as if he were completely white.
"APO 96225" by Larry Rottmann- Situational Irony
"And the father wrote right back,
'Please don't write such depressing letters. You're upsetting your mother.''
Question 1 asked whether the poem was dramatic or situational irony. I don't think it is dramatic because that is discrepancy between what the speaker says and what the poem means. I don't think this is the case because the speaker is describing a soldier talking about mundane things, but then when he describes something real about the war, the mother can't take it. I believe that this directly relates to the speaker's message: America would rather ignore the violence of war and pretend it isn't happening than accept it. It is situational irony, a discrepancy between what one expects to happen and what actually happens. The mother repeatedly asks what the war is really like, but when the son tells her, she can not take it. She would rather pretend nothing is wrong. Literally, this is a mother's concern for her child, but the real message is that people would rather fake innocence and know the truth.
'Please don't write such depressing letters. You're upsetting your mother.''
Question 1 asked whether the poem was dramatic or situational irony. I don't think it is dramatic because that is discrepancy between what the speaker says and what the poem means. I don't think this is the case because the speaker is describing a soldier talking about mundane things, but then when he describes something real about the war, the mother can't take it. I believe that this directly relates to the speaker's message: America would rather ignore the violence of war and pretend it isn't happening than accept it. It is situational irony, a discrepancy between what one expects to happen and what actually happens. The mother repeatedly asks what the war is really like, but when the son tells her, she can not take it. She would rather pretend nothing is wrong. Literally, this is a mother's concern for her child, but the real message is that people would rather fake innocence and know the truth.
"Sorting Laundry" by Elisavietta Ritchie- Metaphor
"Folding clothes,
I think of folding you
into my life."
This poem is a metaphor that compares folding laundry to the speaker's life with her lover. The poem has little anecdotes, such as the towels described in lines 10-15, that create an image of their life together. The reference to the "creatures in the ark" shows that the couple was chosen to be together, like the animals paired together to live through the flood, which is described as the "foam" of the washing machine. The speaker finds "In pockets, surprises;" when she does laundry. In much the same way, the he sees surprises in their relationship; they are always discovering something new about each other or about love. The last three stanzas describe how she would be if her lover left her. She wouldn't be able to find someone else to replace her, as described when she says "a mountain of unsorted wash/ could not fill/ the empty side of the bed." Who knew laundry could be so romantic?
I think of folding you
into my life."
This poem is a metaphor that compares folding laundry to the speaker's life with her lover. The poem has little anecdotes, such as the towels described in lines 10-15, that create an image of their life together. The reference to the "creatures in the ark" shows that the couple was chosen to be together, like the animals paired together to live through the flood, which is described as the "foam" of the washing machine. The speaker finds "In pockets, surprises;" when she does laundry. In much the same way, the he sees surprises in their relationship; they are always discovering something new about each other or about love. The last three stanzas describe how she would be if her lover left her. She wouldn't be able to find someone else to replace her, as described when she says "a mountain of unsorted wash/ could not fill/ the empty side of the bed." Who knew laundry could be so romantic?
"Much Madness is divinest Sense" by Emily Dickinson- Paradox
"Much Madness is divinest Sense-
To a discerning Eye-
Much Sense-the starkest Madness"
This poems states that those considered mad by society are in fact sane, and those considered sane by society are actually mad. By mad, the speaker is referencing those who are seen as eccentric or who don't follow the rules of society. This poem would be a paradox because it contradicts what is understood. Most people who are labeled insane are seen as nothing more than that. Those with views other than those of society are outcasts in our world. The speaker, however, is pointing out that this should not be the case. The speaker says that those who don't follow shouldn't be kept in "Chains." The "Majority...prevail," but the "mad" people of world are in fact correct in their views.
To a discerning Eye-
Much Sense-the starkest Madness"
This poems states that those considered mad by society are in fact sane, and those considered sane by society are actually mad. By mad, the speaker is referencing those who are seen as eccentric or who don't follow the rules of society. This poem would be a paradox because it contradicts what is understood. Most people who are labeled insane are seen as nothing more than that. Those with views other than those of society are outcasts in our world. The speaker, however, is pointing out that this should not be the case. The speaker says that those who don't follow shouldn't be kept in "Chains." The "Majority...prevail," but the "mad" people of world are in fact correct in their views.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
"February"
"But it's love that does us in."
I thought this line was really interesting. It actually has a bit of truth in it. So many times people do things that don't make any logical sense for love. Often times, it is people doing something for what they only think is love. This can end in disaster, like the tomcats. Sometimes, we should make sacrifices for those we love, but we also have to be logical. We can't let our emotions get in the way of certain decisions. However, we definitely shouldn't start eating our young.
I thought this line was really interesting. It actually has a bit of truth in it. So many times people do things that don't make any logical sense for love. Often times, it is people doing something for what they only think is love. This can end in disaster, like the tomcats. Sometimes, we should make sacrifices for those we love, but we also have to be logical. We can't let our emotions get in the way of certain decisions. However, we definitely shouldn't start eating our young.
"A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning"
"Our two souls therefore, which are one,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to airy thinness beat."
No matter what, everyone must die. Here, the speaker is about to pass away, and he is telling his friends, family, and lover not to mourn his death. The theme that they will be reunited repeats throughout. He continually mentions the soul, and how their souls will one day be together again. The beginning of the poem could be for anyone who knew him, but the last are definitely just for his love. I thought this part of the poem was especially melancholy and romantic. Even death cannot part them.
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to airy thinness beat."
No matter what, everyone must die. Here, the speaker is about to pass away, and he is telling his friends, family, and lover not to mourn his death. The theme that they will be reunited repeats throughout. He continually mentions the soul, and how their souls will one day be together again. The beginning of the poem could be for anyone who knew him, but the last are definitely just for his love. I thought this part of the poem was especially melancholy and romantic. Even death cannot part them.
"Bright Star"-Apostrophe
"Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou are-"
Here, the speaker is directly addressing the star. He wants to be like the star in that it is undying. At first, this is just for the sake of living forever and being able to watch the world. However, he does not want to be unchanging by himself. The stars, although to us seem to be close together, are thousands of miles away from each other. The speaker does not want to be as alone as they are. He wants to be with his love forever. By addressing the star instead of simply saying his desire, it invokes the image of a plea to be immortal.
Here, the speaker is directly addressing the star. He wants to be like the star in that it is undying. At first, this is just for the sake of living forever and being able to watch the world. However, he does not want to be unchanging by himself. The stars, although to us seem to be close together, are thousands of miles away from each other. The speaker does not want to be as alone as they are. He wants to be with his love forever. By addressing the star instead of simply saying his desire, it invokes the image of a plea to be immortal.
"Dream Deferred"-Similes
"Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?"
After someone has given up on a dream, where does it go? This is the question Hughes poses in his poem. Personally, I believe that a dream never disappears. It may be replaced or modified, but even if someone pushes his or her dream off to the side, it still lingers in the mind. Hughes uses similes to create an image of a "dream deferred." All of his comparisons are to something negative, such as the "raisin in the sun" or the "rotten meat." Obviously he views dreams that have been abandoned as a terrible thing. They can sag "like a heavy load" on our minds until we are consumed by the idea of what could have been.
like a raisin in the sun?"
After someone has given up on a dream, where does it go? This is the question Hughes poses in his poem. Personally, I believe that a dream never disappears. It may be replaced or modified, but even if someone pushes his or her dream off to the side, it still lingers in the mind. Hughes uses similes to create an image of a "dream deferred." All of his comparisons are to something negative, such as the "raisin in the sun" or the "rotten meat." Obviously he views dreams that have been abandoned as a terrible thing. They can sag "like a heavy load" on our minds until we are consumed by the idea of what could have been.
"I taste a liquor never brewed"- Extended Metaphor
"When butterflies-renounce their 'drams'-
I shall but drink the more!"
In this poem, the speaker is comparing the feeling he or she gets when outside to the feeling of being intoxicated. Since this comparison runs throughout the poem, it is an extended metaphor. Although the speaker uses words such as "Inebriate" and "Debauchee," it is clear that he or she is not actually getting drunk. The liquor that is described is "never brewed," so it cannot be a physical, intoxicating drink. Obviously, the speaker is being metaphorical and uses words such as "Air," "Dew," and "endless summer days," to show the audience that it is in fact the beauty of nature that makes him or her feel drunk. In the fourth stanza, the speaker mentions that even the "Saints" and "Seraphs" approve of this kind of "intoxication." This reminds of the feeling I get when I'm overly tired and completely "slap happy." I feel extremely happy to the point that I can't even think rationally, and I think this is the speaker's point: that the natural beauty of the world around us is beyond our ability to rationally comprehend.
I shall but drink the more!"
In this poem, the speaker is comparing the feeling he or she gets when outside to the feeling of being intoxicated. Since this comparison runs throughout the poem, it is an extended metaphor. Although the speaker uses words such as "Inebriate" and "Debauchee," it is clear that he or she is not actually getting drunk. The liquor that is described is "never brewed," so it cannot be a physical, intoxicating drink. Obviously, the speaker is being metaphorical and uses words such as "Air," "Dew," and "endless summer days," to show the audience that it is in fact the beauty of nature that makes him or her feel drunk. In the fourth stanza, the speaker mentions that even the "Saints" and "Seraphs" approve of this kind of "intoxication." This reminds of the feeling I get when I'm overly tired and completely "slap happy." I feel extremely happy to the point that I can't even think rationally, and I think this is the speaker's point: that the natural beauty of the world around us is beyond our ability to rationally comprehend.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
"The Convergence of the Twain" by Thomas Hardy
"Over the mirrors meant
to glass the opulent
The sea-worm crawls-grotesque, slimed, dumb, indifferent."
The thing I like most about this poem was the contrast between the images. There is such a strong picture of the elegance and beauty of the Titanic, but then there is the description of the disgusting sea creatures. In general, I really enjoyed reading this poem. The Titanic has always fascinated me because of the time period and because of how invincible the ship was meant to be. The way the author described the collision of the Titanic and the iceberg as imminent is interesting. They are "twin halves" destined to meet on that day in 1912. This collision is due mainly to the "human vanity." If people had not been so pompous and sure of their infallibility, more precautions would have been taken, and thousands of lives could have been saved.
to glass the opulent
The sea-worm crawls-grotesque, slimed, dumb, indifferent."
The thing I like most about this poem was the contrast between the images. There is such a strong picture of the elegance and beauty of the Titanic, but then there is the description of the disgusting sea creatures. In general, I really enjoyed reading this poem. The Titanic has always fascinated me because of the time period and because of how invincible the ship was meant to be. The way the author described the collision of the Titanic and the iceberg as imminent is interesting. They are "twin halves" destined to meet on that day in 1912. This collision is due mainly to the "human vanity." If people had not been so pompous and sure of their infallibility, more precautions would have been taken, and thousands of lives could have been saved.
"The Panther" by Rainer Maria Rilke
"It seems to him there are
a thousand bars; and behind the bars, no world."
This was one of the most visual poems for me. I actually just went to the zoo a few days ago. The tiger (obviously not the same thing as a panther, but still) was pacing back and forth by the bars. People stood and simply ogled it. This isn't a real, natural tiger. This has been raised in captivity or taken from the wild and caged behind bars. It has none of the wild power that makes a tiger a tiger. Rilke creates the same image of a panther: what should be a magnificent creature but has been subdued.
I think this poem is a symbol. The panther represents something oppressed, and the bars represent the oppressing force. The image is hope, but the panther has been in the cage for so long that it is only a fleeting image. The panther has no chance to escape unless some outside force comes to help it.
a thousand bars; and behind the bars, no world."
This was one of the most visual poems for me. I actually just went to the zoo a few days ago. The tiger (obviously not the same thing as a panther, but still) was pacing back and forth by the bars. People stood and simply ogled it. This isn't a real, natural tiger. This has been raised in captivity or taken from the wild and caged behind bars. It has none of the wild power that makes a tiger a tiger. Rilke creates the same image of a panther: what should be a magnificent creature but has been subdued.
I think this poem is a symbol. The panther represents something oppressed, and the bars represent the oppressing force. The image is hope, but the panther has been in the cage for so long that it is only a fleeting image. The panther has no chance to escape unless some outside force comes to help it.
"Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden- Rhetorical Question
"What did I know, what did I know
of love's austere and lonely offices?"
This poem is about the speaker's father, who did a lot for the speaker. The speaker didn't appreciate his father at the time, but now, he realizes how lucky he was to have a father that cared for him so much. Now, the father may be gone or the speaker may have a family of his own, and he understands how hard it is to love and care for someone. The rhetorical question emphasizes the feeling of remorse that the speaker feels because of how unappreciative he was.
I related most easily with this poem. It is difficult for students to understand what our parents are going through as they work to raise us because we haven't been there. We can't associate the events of their day to day lives to ours. Someday, however, we will, and only then will we really be able to appreciate everything they did for us. I think the speaker asked the rhetorical question to invoke that feeling in the reader.
of love's austere and lonely offices?"
This poem is about the speaker's father, who did a lot for the speaker. The speaker didn't appreciate his father at the time, but now, he realizes how lucky he was to have a father that cared for him so much. Now, the father may be gone or the speaker may have a family of his own, and he understands how hard it is to love and care for someone. The rhetorical question emphasizes the feeling of remorse that the speaker feels because of how unappreciative he was.
I related most easily with this poem. It is difficult for students to understand what our parents are going through as they work to raise us because we haven't been there. We can't associate the events of their day to day lives to ours. Someday, however, we will, and only then will we really be able to appreciate everything they did for us. I think the speaker asked the rhetorical question to invoke that feeling in the reader.
"London" by William Blake- Tone
"And mark in every face I meet
Marks of weakness, marks of woe."
The tone of this poem is definitely negative and depressing. Every line describes some terrible aspect of London. It seems very hopeless. The author offers no alternative image to balance out the negative imagery. The repeated crying surrounds the reader in the sound and amplifies the tone.
I was really struck by the image of the "mind-forged manacles." These people are not physically in chains, yet they are still imprisoned in their life. Because of the social and cultural "chains" they can not increase their standard of living. These chains seem to come from the "Palace" and the "Church" the only institutions of the time with any power.
Marks of weakness, marks of woe."
The tone of this poem is definitely negative and depressing. Every line describes some terrible aspect of London. It seems very hopeless. The author offers no alternative image to balance out the negative imagery. The repeated crying surrounds the reader in the sound and amplifies the tone.
I was really struck by the image of the "mind-forged manacles." These people are not physically in chains, yet they are still imprisoned in their life. Because of the social and cultural "chains" they can not increase their standard of living. These chains seem to come from the "Palace" and the "Church" the only institutions of the time with any power.
"They Widow's Lament in Springtime" by William Carlos Williams- Imagery
"The plum tree is white today
with masses of flowers."
The strongest image for me was the beauty of spring. Spring is a time traditionally described as joyous, beautiful, and full of life. However, because of the widow's pain, she cannot appreciate the season. This is especially highlighted by the line, "the grief in my heart is stronger than they" ("they" referring to the beauty of the flowers). This is a very powerful image since the renewed life in spring is such a powerful feeling. The author describes spring primarily with colors. The color white, which usually represents purity or innocence, is mentioned twice, which I think is significant. Before the loss of her husband, the woman feels pain that were previously unknown to her. His death destroyed her innocence to how painful life and loss could be. She mentions that her son "saw trees of white flowers" in the distance. She wants to go to these flowers, to this innocence, and forget her pain.
with masses of flowers."
The strongest image for me was the beauty of spring. Spring is a time traditionally described as joyous, beautiful, and full of life. However, because of the widow's pain, she cannot appreciate the season. This is especially highlighted by the line, "the grief in my heart is stronger than they" ("they" referring to the beauty of the flowers). This is a very powerful image since the renewed life in spring is such a powerful feeling. The author describes spring primarily with colors. The color white, which usually represents purity or innocence, is mentioned twice, which I think is significant. Before the loss of her husband, the woman feels pain that were previously unknown to her. His death destroyed her innocence to how painful life and loss could be. She mentions that her son "saw trees of white flowers" in the distance. She wants to go to these flowers, to this innocence, and forget her pain.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Perrine
"That all interpretations of a poem are equally valid is a critical heresy, but one which perennially makes its reappearance in the classroom." ("The Nature of Proof in the Interpretation of Poetry," 1)
I've always believed that poetry should be open to interpretation. My first reaction to Perrine's theory was disagreement. To me, all literature, prose and poetry, is for the reader. The writer writes with a specific purpose, whether to entertain or prove a point, but in the end, the meaning of a work should be determined by the reader. However, that being said, I do see his point. This is a class about analyzing literature and getting down to what the author wants the reader to see in the work. From that perspective, Perrine's criteria is very accurate, and will be helpful getting down to the "facts." In a class, it's important to come to some kind of conclusion, but for people who read poetry for enjoyment what matters isn't the "real meaning," but what the poem means to them personally.
The last section of Perrine's essay about symbolism seems to contradict the rest of it. With the first three poems, there is one answer, and that's it. However, with Blake's poem, because it is symbolic, there can be multiple, correct meanings. He still puts parameters on the interpretations, but there is more than one interpretation. In the end though, who says what the writer was thinking about. Blake's poem is interpreted to be symbolic, but maybe it's not supposed to be. For all we know, Blake was just writing about worms and roses in a really romantic way. Again, I see Perrine's point. I understand that this class isn't about feeling, it's about analysis. I just don't like having limits placed on how I can analyze a work.
I've always believed that poetry should be open to interpretation. My first reaction to Perrine's theory was disagreement. To me, all literature, prose and poetry, is for the reader. The writer writes with a specific purpose, whether to entertain or prove a point, but in the end, the meaning of a work should be determined by the reader. However, that being said, I do see his point. This is a class about analyzing literature and getting down to what the author wants the reader to see in the work. From that perspective, Perrine's criteria is very accurate, and will be helpful getting down to the "facts." In a class, it's important to come to some kind of conclusion, but for people who read poetry for enjoyment what matters isn't the "real meaning," but what the poem means to them personally.
The last section of Perrine's essay about symbolism seems to contradict the rest of it. With the first three poems, there is one answer, and that's it. However, with Blake's poem, because it is symbolic, there can be multiple, correct meanings. He still puts parameters on the interpretations, but there is more than one interpretation. In the end though, who says what the writer was thinking about. Blake's poem is interpreted to be symbolic, but maybe it's not supposed to be. For all we know, Blake was just writing about worms and roses in a really romantic way. Again, I see Perrine's point. I understand that this class isn't about feeling, it's about analysis. I just don't like having limits placed on how I can analyze a work.
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