How Relationships Unit Us and Connect Us Together

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The universe is united by relationships that connect us all together. These diverse aspects of relationships are explored in section C of the anthology. The bond between a father and son is explored in the poem ‘IF’ by Rudyard Kipling likewise with the poem ‘Once upon a time’ by Gabriel Okara. However the two poems are an antithesis of the same relationship. Kipling portrays an imagery with regard to his morals on ideas of patience, humility, bravery. He reminds his son that he will be a man if he can hold on to his values and not be swayed by others ‘you’ll be a Man, my son!’ Whereas in ‘Once upon a time’ Gabriel portrays the same virtues as Kipling such as self-dignity. The speaker regrets the loss of his innocence, but hopes his son can teach him 'So show me, son'
‘Prayer Before Birth’ by Louis MacNeice portrays his virtues on God and religion. He prays for something better to happen by using the voice of an unborn child, innocent and frail, to convey his fear of the world, cruel and tyrannous ‘I am not yet born; O hear me’. Whereas ‘The Tyger’ by William Blake questions the existence of God 'What immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?' pertaining directly to the tyger being fearful yet beautiful. As it’s a mature ‘song of experience’ signifying what he learnt from this suspicious and fearful world. Both poems deal with the themes of creation, power and strength to describe violent actions.
‘Poem at Thirty-Nine’ is another relationship of a parent and child explored by Alice Walker who draws attention towards her father’s loss and his wisdom in a vibrant form ‘a person dancing in a yoga meditation’ The smile assist Walker in describing the spirit of her father although dancing and meditation seem to be complet...

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...an beings that we grow and evolve, how we deepen and expand our experience of love and meaning. These relationships were explored in the six poems questioning, learning and perceiving from life and people around us. As seen in 'Poem at Thirty-Nine' a girl growing into a woman being influenced by her father's wisdom, In 'Once Upon a Time' Okara being lost in ways of the society until he's reminded of simple joys by his own son, In 'The Tyger' the reader is reminded of the immortal beauty surrounding us, In 'Prayer Before Birth' we see through the eyes of an unborn child wanting 'trees to talk to me, sky to sing to me', In 'Remember' a girl suffering through depression yet refusing to entertain the old pain and hoping to 'forget and smile', In 'If' expanding virtue and knowledge from the motivational words and overall hoping for a better world to truly ask 'What if?'

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