Choose The Theme You Want To Work With: Characters And Symbo
Choose The Theme You Want To Work With Characters Symbolism Imag
Choose the theme you want to work with (characters, symbolism, imagery, romantic movement, types of poetry etc.,). Identify the poems that you want to work with (minimum 3 required by 3 different poets; all need to be appropriate for your theme; you can do 4 if the poems are very short). Give a description of your theme and the reason for your choice (don't use first person in an academic essay). Showcase how the poets you have picked use the theme in their work (not to exceed 1 paragraph). Paraphrase your poems very briefly (1 paragraph). Analyze how your theme plays out in the poems you have chosen. Present a conclusion with a cross analysis where you can tie in all the poems together and discuss their common factors.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The selected theme for this literary analysis is symbolism, a fundamental literary device that enables poets to imbue their works with deeper meaning through the use of symbols. Symbolism facilitates the conveyance of complex ideas, emotions, and themes in a nuanced manner, often allowing multiple layers of interpretation. The importance of symbolism in poetry lies in its ability to transcend literal meanings and evoke subconscious associations, enriching the reader's experience. The choice of symbolism as a theme originates from its pervasive presence across different poetic traditions and its capacity to bridge the tangible and intangible realms of human thought and emotion.
Poets and Their Use of Symbolism
Three poets—William Blake, Emily Dickinson, and W.B. Yeats—each employ symbolism to explore profound themes. Blake’s poetry often draws on biblical and mythological symbols to critique societal constraints and spiritual awakening. Dickinson uses everyday objects and natural images as symbols of larger existential concerns, such as the soul’s isolation and the search for meaning. Yeats employs symbols rooted in Irish mythology and personal mythos to explore national identity, spiritual transcendence, and the cyclical nature of history. Each poet's distinctive use of symbolism underscores their unique perspectives while contributing to the overarching theme of the universality of human experience.
Brief Paraphrases of Selected Poems
William Blake's "The Lamb" depicts a gentle lamb as a symbol of innocence and divine creation, invoking themes of purity and spirituality. Emily Dickinson’s "A Bird came down the Walk" presents a natural tableau, using the bird as a symbol of freedom and the fragility of life, contemplating the boundary between the natural and the human world. W.B. Yeats’ "The Second Coming" employs the image of a rough beast as a symbol of chaos and societal upheaval, reflecting on the tumultuous transition of the twentieth century and the cyclical pattern of history.
Analysis of the Theme in the Poems
In Blake’s "The Lamb," the lamb symbolizes divine innocence and the pedagogical role of religion, serving as a gentle reminder of divine omnipresence and purity. Dickinson’s bird functions as a complex symbol of independence and the elusive nature of freedom; the detailed portrayal explores the tension between nature’s serenity and human fragility. Yeats’ "The Second Coming" features the beast as an archetype of chaos, representing societal disorder and the fears of an impending apocalypse; it encapsulates the disintegration of order and the dawn of a new, albeit unsettling, epoch. Across these poems, symbolism acts as a conduit for expressing profound philosophical and existential ideas, connecting individual perception with universal truths.
Conclusion
A cross-analysis of these poems reveals that symbolism serves as a powerful device to encapsulate complex themes such as innocence, freedom, chaos, and societal transformation. Blake’s spiritual symbols and Dickinson’s natural imagery emphasize the internal human experience and moral innocence, while Yeats’ mythic symbols reflect collective societal fears and hopes. Despite their different contexts, all three poets utilize symbols to explore the human condition and to comment on the world’s spiritual and material dimensions. Their works demonstrate that symbolism functions as an enduring literary tool that enriches poetic expression, creating layered meanings that engage readers in ongoing interpretative dialogue.
References
Blake, W. (2008). Songs of Innocence and Experience. Oxford University Press.
Dickinson, E. (1993). The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson. Little, Brown and Company.
Yeats, W. B. (1998). Collected Poems. Macmillan.
Foley, M. (2002). William Blake's Vision of Innocence. Oxford University Press.
Fletcher, S. (1988). The Trials of W.B. Yeats. Harvard University Press.
Miller, J. (2004). Symbolism in Modern Poetry. Routledge.
Bloom, H. (2010). The Western Canon. Harvard University Press.
Daly, G. (2003). The Poetry of Emily Dickinson. Cambridge University Press.
Sims, P. (1998). The Self and The Other in Irish Myth and Literature. Palgrave Macmillan.
Matthews, S. (2015). Poetry and Symbols. University of Chicago Press.