Life And Spirit Essay, Research Paper
Poetic and rhetorical devices are used to create the tone of a poem. With a defined and structured tone, the meaning of a poem can be more clearly and effectively conveyed. The poem ?Jehovah buried, Satan dead? by E.E. Cummings has a distinct meaning that has been heightened by its tone. The tone is also accented through the use of rhetorical and poetic devices. A few of these devices include onomatopoeia, conceit, slant rhyme, the form, sound, and repetition. Starting with an evaluation of the meaning, the tone and rhetorical and poetic devices become identifiable.
An interpretation of the title and first line, ?Jehovah buried, Satan Dead? gives an immediate insight at the meaning of the poem. The absence of both Jesus and the devil in the world would lead to an absence of religion, and a spiritual void. Without spirituality, the world becomes desensitized to emotions and events. ?Badness not being felt as bad,? (line 3) is a prime example of what Cummings sees as the numbing of people to the world. In place of spiritual worship is a constant struggle for, and reverence to, material items. People ?hock? ?Joy? and ?Pain? (line 7), referring to the pawning of emotions in a quest for money. The reliance on technology and material belongings causes a loss of individuality, as well as personal freedom. This loss of individuality is seen in line 10 which reads ?your Harry?s Tom, your Tom is Dick;? referring to all men becoming indiscernible from each other. Among the perpetrators addressed by Cummings are modern transportation, time, and radio. The lines ?obey says toc, submit says tic? (line 5) as well as ?Gadgets murder squawk and add? (line 11) and ?to kiss the mike? (line 15) show a few things that have started to dominate the lives of men. This has become an even more frightening truth with the world?s present reliance on computers and the Internet for a majority of functions. These technologies and the loss of spirituality, cause mankind to do anything possible to achieve material success. All of this culminates into the deterioration of society. Cummings tells that the only way to prevent this catastrophe is for man to becomes more Christ-like, more individualistic. Mankind must stop its slide into a rut of materialistic irreverence by becoming more self-reliant
An established meaning makes the tone more evident. The biggest challenge here is to find words strong enough to describe the tone so expertly conveyed by Cummings. The adjectives cynicism, alarmed, and disgust describe the tone. However, it is the use of rhetorical and poetic devices that create this tone.
The most prominent and affective devices include the poem’s form, onomatopoeia, metaphor, rhyme, sound, and repetition. ?Jehovah buried, Satan dead? is written in a strict ballad form (100 American Poems of the Twentieth Century, 148). This specific type of ballad consists of three eight-line stanzas and a final four-line stanza. The rhyme scheme goes a-b-a-b-b-c-b-c for the first three stanzas and b-c-b-c for the final one. This structure brings validity to Cummings commentary, even though the reader might find his tone offensive and insulting. The use of onomatopoeia in line 5 transmits the image of a clock. Rhyme, repetition, and sound are the major devices of the poem. Cummings uses slant rhyme to creatively fill the rhyme requirements of the ballad. Also, the repetition of ?who dares to call himself a man?? at the end of every stanza stresses the poor condition of humankind today. It is also interesting to look at the capitalization of ?Himself? in the final line. This refers to Jesus and the line does not end with a question mark, rather it is a statement of Jesus? strength. This exhalation of Jesus as the only one capable of bringing salvation is enforced by the metaphor in lines 26-27 where society is seen as without ?lifepreservers? and ?only He may walk? on the water. The final device is sound. Most notable are the harsh sounds of King and Christ in line 26, which alert and awaken the reader to the culmination of the poem and Cummings ideas.
The poem?s call for a life of spirit, and the rejection of materialism, has an especially alarming and alerting air to it. This tone is created through the use of poetic and rhetorical devices. ?Jehovah buried, Satan dead? by E.E. Cummings boasts use of these devices, and when they are combined with the tone and purpose of the poem, these three components create a masterpiece.
Другие работы по теме:
Catching The Spirit Essay Research Paper Catching
Catching The Spirit Essay, Research Paper Catching the Spirit The American Heritage Dictionary defines sportsmanship as, “an act in which one abides by the rules of a contest and accepts victory or defeat graciously.” All those in athletics are not the only ones who need to be good sportsmen. It must also be required by coaches, cheerleaders, fans, and school administrators.
Edna Millay Essay Research Paper Edna St
Edna Millay Essay, Research Paper Edna St. Vincent Millay defied the times in which a woman was to operate, in her life style, and in her poems, "Renascence", "My candle burns at
Rimbaud Essay Research Paper Part II
Rimbaud Essay, Research Paper Part II A man so confused and confusing as Arthur Rimbaud, it is a wonder that he can even be analyzed, critiqued, and judged by his literary works. Never the less it has been done, however how accurate can they be, when even Rimbaud said in his Lettre Du Voyant that for the I is someone else.
Awakening Essay Research Paper When Edna swam
Awakening Essay, Research Paper When Edna swam out into the ocean at the end of The Awakening, I think it was because she realized her situation. She was madly in love with Robert and she was married. Her husband, Leonce, was much too proper and business-like to please her childish spirit. However, in the end, she understood she could not be with Robert.
Life Essay Research Paper You have been
Life Essay, Research Paper You have been ready to move on for quite some time But maybe not so ready to let go Of all that you know (Your friends, your family, and all the sweet memories)
Lagston Hughes Essay Research Paper Mother to
Lagston Hughes Essay, Research Paper Mother to Son In Langston Hues poem Mother to Son, strong poetic elements are used to express the feeling he has about the past, present, and future as an African American. Although all the elements in this peaice of work do not stand out, they due exist. They help Hughes bring his message across both subtly and strongly, all depending on how, Mother to Son, is interpreted.
Hamlet Analysis Essay Research Paper Pleading with
Hamlet Analysis Essay, Research Paper Pleading with Hamlet not to follow the Ghost, Horatio asks him to think about what might happen if the Ghost “assume some other horrible form, / Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason / And draw you into madness. Horatio believes that the Ghost is not Hamlet’s father in the form of a ghost, but a spirit in the form of Hamlet’s father.
Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Book Of
Genesis Essay, Research Paper The Epic Of Gilgamesh is an important Middle East literary work, written in cuneiform on 12 clay tablets about 2000 BC by the oldest human author that we can name. The Epic tells the story of a great Mesopotamian king,Gilgamesh,who finds his kindered spirit and goes on a spiritual quest for understanding of death and the after life.
Independent Spirit Essay Essay Research Paper There
Independent Spirit Essay Essay, Research Paper There can be a difference between a dependent and independent spirits. Independent spirits can be found in everyone and how your independent spirit can help others.
Nkohma Essay Research Paper Acts Summary xThe
Nkohma Essay, Research Paper .Acts Summary x The book of Acts is written by the author Luke the Apostle who also wrote the book Luke that is one of the four books in the Gospel of the New Testament. The book of Acts is a linking book that shows and describes the transition of Jesus final ministry by sending the Holy Spirit after His ascention into Heaven.
John Milton Essay Research Paper John Milton 2
John Milton Essay, Research Paper John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” describes the fall of man in a poetic lyric. His book closely details the character God, Satan, and how Adam and Eve came do their downfall. God’s first human creation, Adam, was given all luscious gifts of paradise, including free will. The Tree Of Knowledge was Adam and Eve’s only forbiddance.
Leonardo Da Vinci Essay Research Paper The
Leonardo Da Vinci Essay, Research Paper The Ingenious Work of Leonardo da Vinci “Renaissance,” French for “rebirth,” perfectly describes the intellectual and economic changes that occurred in Europe from the fourteenth through the sixteenth centuries. During this era, Europe emerged from the economic decline of the middle ages.
How It Feels To Be Colored Me
Essay, Research Paper How It Feels to Be Colored Me “How It Feels to Be Colored Me has a irrepressible spirit in the face of what are clear inequalities in America, for its ironic self-representation, and for the sheer delight it gives to think that Hurston has triumphed after all.” -A.L.
Proverbs Essay Research Paper Chapter 1 talks
Proverbs Essay, Research Paper Chapter 1 talks about becoming wise be graceful of your teachings and be gracious you are being taught. You should be happy that you are being taught and you are getting a good education and that you will be able to become something in life because of this education that you are fortunately receiving.
Fake Myth Essay Research Paper Many centuries
Fake Myth Essay, Research Paper Many centuries ago, before you, before me. Before water existed. There was a god, who roamed the earth in search of something, anything. He roamed the barren landscapes and searched under all rocks. Until one day he found something. It was a hole, a hole that seemed bottomless.
Richard Cory By Edwin Arlington Robinson Essay
?, Research Paper The Use of Death in Poetry Poems reveal many inside thoughts of the speaker that can be interpreted by the reader. Death is expressed quite often in poetic work because of the simplicity to be able to express feelings. Suicide, for an example, is a form of death that may be used in poetry and is usually portrayed in a negative fashion.
1984 Essay Research Paper 1984Winston Smith has
1984 Essay, Research Paper 1984 Winston Smith has lived a long miserable life. He believes he is responsible for his mothers and sisters death and he has to live with that pain his whole life. Also his wife left
Quotes About Life Essay Research Paper Quotes
Quotes About Life Essay, Research Paper Quotes About Life “The answers to life s problems aren t at the bottom of a bottle: they re on TV!” Homer Simpson “It s a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”
Resolution And Independence
– Imagination And Mortality Essay, Research Paper Samuel Taylor Coleridge, states that the secondary or poetic imagination is the power which, ?Reveals itself in the balance or reconciliation of opposite or discordant qualities?of?idea with the image? (Coleridge 482). In, Resolution and Independence, Wordsworth attempts to create an image of the poetic imagination in a decrepit old man.
Aliens Essay Research Paper Aliens
Aliens Essay, Research Paper Aliens What are aliens? There are illegal aliens. Their are UFO aliens. You have to ask yourself one question, do you think there could be intelligent life
Visions And Voices Essay Research Paper Visions
Visions And Voices Essay, Research Paper Visions and Voices The biographical film of Langston Hughes is both informative and entertaining. It approaches Hughes s life with insightful observations from the people that personally knew him. The film goes into detail on his family background and early life before his poetic success, and continues through his life in Harlem, his literary achievements, and legacy.
Robinson Crusoe By Daniel Defoe c 16591731
) Essay, Research Paper An adventurous tale, The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, as Defoe titled his novel, is especially loved by children, although there is certainly enough to keep
Spirit Of Mountains Essay Research Paper Spirit
Spirit Of Mountains Essay, Research Paper Spirit of the Mountains Grace, Beauty, tranquillity, man conquering majestic mountains, mammoth in size. Thus describes the experience, of a mountain. Like
Faust Essay Research Paper By Nick CarrollLet
Faust Essay, Research Paper By Nick Carroll Let my work benefit all!! Pryor High School Students: If you plagiarize this, you will most likely get caught, so I don’t advise doing so. Have Fun!!
Julius Caesar A Dead Man
’s Party Essay, Research Paper JULIUS CAESAR: A Dead Man?s Party In Shakespeare?s Julius Caesar, the character of Caesar remains a active force throughout the play, even after his assassination. Caesar is
Thoreau Essay Research Paper Jerry PetercuskieEnglish 20103Dr
Thoreau Essay, Research Paper Jerry Petercuskie English 201-03 Dr. E. Brinkley November 27, 1996 THOREAU AS A PROPHET Thoreau was a simple man that believed in having only the basic necessities in life. Thoreau lived a life of simplicity at Walden Pond. In Walden, Thoreau gives a background of his life and some life experiences that he has encountered.
The Holy Spirit Essay Research Paper The
The Holy Spirit Essay, Research Paper The Holy Spirit Paul talks lot about the Holy Spirit and the role that He plays in peoples lives in Romans 8:3-17. His main point though, is that there is a very distinct difference between people of the flesh and people of the Spirit. If the Spirit of God is alive in a person, then that person is alive because they died to sin.
Mother Nature Essay Research Paper Nature has
Mother Nature Essay, Research Paper Nature has a certain presence or spirit. It s an almost indescribable feeling just to go out to the middle of the sea or into a forest and just sit there in awe of its beauty. Nature has a certain mystique and mystery to it that draws people to it. Nature, described as mysterious and secretive, is a recurrent theme throughout many stories.
All In My Head Essay Research Paper
*Before I start, please don’t think that I am suicidal. I wrote this a LONG time ago. Please read/rate this for it’s poetic content, not the words. Thank you.*
Propsero
’s Relationship With Caliban Essay, Research Paper Prospero generally greets Caliban and Ariel with the words ’slave’ and ’servant’. Prospero calls Ariel the servant and rarely uses Ariel’s name. Prospero also calls Ariel ’spirit’. It is quite apparent that Prospero feels that he owns Ariel, always calling Ariel ‘My brave spirit’ and ‘Why that’s my spirit’ using ‘my’ in these sentences when he speaks to Ariel, showing possesion.
John Keats Romantism Essay Research Paper Identify
John Keat`s Romantism Essay, Research Paper Identify and discuss the elements of Romanticism as given expression in John Keats’ poem Lamia and William Wordsworth’s excerpt from The Excursion. The term
Life Is Like Essay Research Paper Life
Life Is Like Essay, Research Paper Life is like a car. When it?s new, it usually works all right. As time drives by, it breaks down and needs repairs. Life is like a leaf. In its youth, it