A Comparison of I Remember, I Remember and To the Virgins to Make Much of Time As humans we all face the passing of time and inevitably death but how each person deals with this is different. This essay will compare and contrast two poems, called ‘I remember, I remember’, and ‘to the virgins, to make much of time’. A comparative essay will illustrate how differently different people can experience life, yet how connected we all are through this experience we share. Both of these poems deal with the theme of youth and looking back in wisdom, a regret for the passing of time and a longing for it return. The first poem ‘ I remember, I remember’ is written in the point of view of the poet. As the title suggests, this poem is about a mans reflection on his past and his comments on his present. He explains what he felt like as a child growing up, and how he took pleasure with everything that surrounded him. This is highlighted when he writes “my spirit flew in feathers then” this portrays his happiness as a boy and how he felt so free. He doesn’t speak much about his future, creating an impression that he does not want to think about it too much and this keeps the reader at a distance, or maybe he is not enjoying the present and going through deep depression. We assume this when he writes ‘ but now, I often wish the night had borne my breath away’, this draws in the attention of the reader because we are curious in to finding out why things have changed. In line 18,We can feel his regret “where I used to swing”. The majority of the things he tells us are in the past tense which causes the reader to believe the poet has convinced himself he will never again experience joyful events. The theme also clarifies the fact that time does not stand still and things change, and not always for the better, but nobody should have to feel like the poet in “I remember , I remember”.
sexuality while growing up; he even learned to suppress his emotions. However, later on all that
enough of anything to keep him happy. He felt like nobody loved him. When he was born
words he used, spoke a language of their own. They made him feel special, unique, and even
Burghardt Du Bois). His childhood was a very important time for him. It was a time where he
As a child he was isolated and lonely because of his dissatisfaction with his appearance caused him to have nightmares, and sleeping problems and he did not have normal childhood. For instance, he stated "Well, you don 't get to do things that other children get to do, having friends and slumber parties and buddies. There were none of that for me. I didn 't have friends when I was little. My brothers were my friends”. He was doing
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of a person is their private life. I know that I do different things when I am alone or with close friends, which leads many of us to wonder what William Byrd, a wealthy Virginia planter, did in both his social and private sides of life, as well as what prompted him to write the various statements in his diary.
what others thought of him. His life symbolized what a lot of people have gone
The poem, “Remember”, by Joy Harjo illuminates the significance of different aspects in one’s life towards creating one’s own identity. Harjo, explains how everything in the world is connected in some way. She conveys how every person is different and has their own identities. However, she also portrays the similarities among people and how common characteristics of the world impact humans and their identities. Harjo describes the interconnectedness of different aspects of nature and one’s life in order to convey their significance in creating one’s identity.
discusses his life as a kid, and how he was accidentally placed in a vocational program in his
sexuality while growing up; he even learned to suppress his emotions. However, later on all that
learned all these lessons, and became a more complete person. He found who he truly
He intended to live a life of no regret, only spreading positivity to others and within himself. He lived a life of temptation greater than anyone around him could ever have even imagined. Even though he faced these temptations, and had all of the tools he needed to get whatever he wanted, he didn’t let these things control his life, and was able to lead a life without regret, never being remorseful for his actions. Although he did not want these writings to be published, the literature that he produced changed the lives of many, and gives many lessons to its
The memoir, This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff, provides a personal description of events surrounding Wolff’s adolescence. The records of events demonstrate the struggle to find freedom in a harsh environment that Wolff faced traveling around northwest United States. Therefore, Wolff proposes the theme of Jack’s longing for self-recreation through detail descriptions of symbols, motifs, and anecdotes.
There is also a standard structure in this poem, with the second and last line of each stanza shorter than the other two. It uses half-rhyme, creating an "a, b, a, b" rhyme scheme which adds speed to the entire poem. This, in turn, re-emphasises the fact that time is ticking away and we need to make the best out of our youth and regret not in the future. I find this second poem easier to grasp, mainly due to the references and comparisons to tangible things. I guess the subject matter also appeals more to me, as the subject matter in "Song" gives me an impression that from the physical love he is looking for in the girl, he is not serious about her. As for "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time", it is purer, warning readers to be more careful in what one does with his youth.