Choose Two Poems You Have Read For Class In The Past

Choose Two Of The Poems You Have Read for Class in the Past Few Weeks

Choose two of the poems you have read for class in the past few weeks (listed below) and write an essay in which you explore the relationship between the poem’s theme and its literary elements. Choose at least three elements of the poem to analyze, such as its form, rhyme scheme, symbol, personification, irony, imagery, etc., and explain how these elements help you determine a theme in the poem. In your conclusion, don’t just reiterate your points, but also tell how they all come together to push forward the meaning of the poem. “My Papa’s Waltz,” by Theodore Roethke; “Kubla Khan,” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge; “Ode on Grecian Urn,” by John Keats; “Mending Wall,” by Robert Frost; “Do Not Go Gentle into the Goodnight,” by Dylan Thomas; “Para Teresa,” by Ines Avila Hernandez.

Paper For Above instruction

In this essay, I will analyze the relationship between the themes and literary elements of two poems: Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz” and Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan.” Both poems explore distinct themes—family dynamics and imagination/creation—through unique literary devices that deepen their messages and evoke emotional responses from readers. I will examine three key literary elements in each poem—form, symbolism, and imagery—to demonstrate how they contribute to the overarching themes and how their interplay enhances our understanding of each work.

Analysis of “My Papa’s Waltz”

Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz” employs a structured but somewhat irregular rhyme scheme that mirrors the playful yet chaotic relationship between a father and son. The poem’s form, a quatrain with a loose rhyme pattern, creates a rhythm reminiscent of a dance, aligning with the title’s reference to a waltz. The poem’s symbolism is central to understanding its complex theme. The waltz itself symbolizes a bonding activity, but there is ambiguity in the poem about whether this interaction is affectionate or rough—a duality conveyed through descriptions such as “the whiskey on your breath” juxtaposed with “battered on your head.” This ambiguity invites multiple interpretations about the familial relationship, whether it is rooted in love or tension but ultimately reflects a complex childhood memory.

Imagery plays a vital role in emphasizing the poem’s emotional depth. The vivid depiction of the “battered on your head” and the “music” of the dance evoke sensory experiences that convey both joy and discomfort simultaneously. The imagery of the son holding onto his father “like a death grip,” underscores the tension in their relationship, yet also the desire for closeness. This imagery reveals the nuanced theme of family dynamics—how love and struggle often coexist within familial bonds.

Analysis of “Kubla Khan”

Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan” is characterized by its free-flowing form, a fragment of a longer, dream-inspired poem. The irregular stanza structure and lyrical rhythm evoke the fluidity of imagination, emphasizing the poem’s theme of creative inspiration and the power of the mind to construct fantastical worlds. Symbolism is abundant, especially in the depiction of the “pleasure dome” and the “deep romantic chasm,” symbolizing the boundless creative potential of the human mind and the mysterious depths of the subconscious. The juxtaposition of the cultivated “pleasure dome” with the untamed “chasm” underscores the tension between order and chaos inherent in artistic creation.

Imagery in “Kubla Khan” vividly renders the fantastical landscape, with descriptions like “savage place” and “gardens bright,” which stimulate the reader’s imagination and evoke a sense of wonder. The intense imagery enhances the theme of the awe-inspiring power of art and the creative process. The poem’s dreamlike quality, reinforced by its vivid and surreal imagery, emphasizes the mysterious and sometimes elusive nature of inspiration—how it struggles to be captured and fully understood.

Conclusion

Both “My Papa’s Waltz” and “Kubla Khan” utilize their formal structures, symbolism, and imagery to explore themes deeply rooted in human experience—family relationships and creative inspiration. The seemingly simple elements in each poem serve layered functions: the form reflects emotional tone, symbolism encapsulates complex ideas, and imagery paints vivid scenes that resonate on a sensory level. Together, these literary elements create a cohesive emotional and thematic experience, demonstrating how poetry’s use of literary devices pulls abstract themes into concrete, relatable expressions. Understanding this interconnectedness enhances our comprehension of the poems’ themes and appreciates the artistry behind their construction.

References

• Roethke, Theodore. “My Papa’s Waltz.” In Selected Poems, edited by David Lehman, New York: Dover Publications, 1992.
• Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. “Kubla Khan.” In The Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, edited by E. H. Coleridge, London: Routledge, 2008.
• Frye, Northrop. Anatomy of Criticism. Princeton University Press, 1957.
• Bradbury, Malcolm. The Art of Poetry: An Introduction to Critical Reading and Writing. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2014.
• Levin, Harry. “The Structure of Poetry.” The Sewanee Review, vol. 67, no. 2, 1959, pp. 183–196.
• Poetry Foundation. “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/50133/my-papas-waltz
• Poetry Foundation. “Kubla Khan” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43991/kubla-khan
• Bloom, Harold. The Western Canon. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1994.
• Hirsch, E. D. Validity in Interpretation. Yale University Press, 1967.
• Abbott, H. Porter. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative. Cambridge University Press, 2008.