Poetry is a way for authors to express their feelings on life, whether it be current events, past memories, or just abstract thought. Some poets write stories using poetry, while others write short simple imaginative journeys. One poet, Rita Dove, uses her poetry to reflect upon her past actions as a child. Her poems create extraordinary sensory experiences in the reader, mostly being visualizations that the reader can image. Both “Geometry” and “Grape Sherbet”, by Rita Dove, are similar in that they express a commonality between Dove’s childhood, and experiences people have in the present day by using common poetic devices like imagery, symbolism, and personification. Dove was born August 28, 1952 in Akron, Ohio. She lived with her mother and father, who was the first …show more content…
African-American rubber chemist. Dove often writes about past memories from her childhood with her father in her poetry. Dove went on to marry German writer, Fred Viebahn. Together, Rita and Fred had one daughter named, Aviva Chantal Tamu Dove-Viebahn. Dove’s most notable accomplishment is becoming the first African-American United States Poet Laureate, and the youngest in history. She held this position from 1993 to 1995, under the presidency of Bill Clinton. Currently, Dove lives with her daughter and husband in Charlottesville, Virginia. Here she is a professor of English at the University of Virginia Commonwealth. (“‘Grape Sherbet’ Analysis” 110) (Higgs-Coulthard) (“‘Geometry’ Analysis” 68-69) “Geometry” is one of Dove’s most famous poems. Proofs in geometry are one of the most controversial subjects. Some people find them easy, while others simply are not able to complete them. This poem is no different. The person in the poem seems be trying to prove a geometric theorem. During the process, the person, who you can only assume is Dove as a child, is feeling alone and unprotected. She appears to be moving to a higher level of thought and knowledge as she begins to prove the theorem. As her thoughts expand, she is able to find a place where imagination and rational thought meet each other. (Dove) One major poetic device used by Dove in “Geometry” is personification. Personification is giving human characteristics to inanimate objects. Personification is used in the poem to develop the reader’s perception as to what is occurring throughout the work. One example of personification in the poem is, “The windows jerk free to hover near the ceiling,”(2). In this, the windows are able to think and move on their own, almost like they have a mind of their own. “Ceiling floats away with a sigh,” (3), is another example. The ceiling is somehow able to sigh, exhibiting human characteristics. The ceiling seems to be disappointed by something, but it is unknown of what. Finally, the poem states, “ Walls clear themselves of everything,” (4). The walls are able to change their appearance in order to be freed. “The mysterious force that dismantles everything that is known and certain continues...and suddenly the speaker is no longer protected,” (“‘Geometry’ Analysis” 69). This demonstrates how the house that is protecting the speaker is starting to come apart, and is not protecting any longer. The speaker of the poem now feels that they are stuck out in the open all alone. Another poetic device used by Dove is imagery. Imagery is the description of sense experiences by using language. Imagery is used in the poem to describe how the environment around the speaker is reacting as you continue to read the poem. One example is, “The scent of carnations / leaves with them,” (5-6). This evokes a sense of smell of carnations in the reader. “ And above the windows have hinged into / butterflies,” (7-8), is another example of imagery in “Geometry”. This lets the reader imagine the windows transforming into butterflies. The poem also states, “Sunlight glinting where they have intersected,” (9). The reader is able to image the sunlight shining on the butterflies that have appeared from the windows. “The poet seems to be suggesting that where rational thought and imagination intersect there is enlightenment.” (“‘Geometry’ Analysis” 69). This demonstrates that the speaker is able to expand her thought level, and reaches a place of enlightenment. This place is where imagination and ration intersect. One major theme of “Geometry” is order and disorder. Humans tend to view the world in a way that is orderly and logical. This logical view is not good when people want to experience great feelings like joy. When there is too much stress put on logical understanding, certain things are lost in thought, like feelings. In the poem, an example of this loss is when the flowers lose their scent because it does not fit into a geometric proof. Also, when the walls clear themselves, they are trying to create a sense of order. Though, there is a solution to this that is peaceful between order and disorder. This is that the untidy elements of life cannot be ruined by theorems, but will always escape them. (“‘Geometry’ Analysis” 69) “Grape Sherbet” is another popular poem by Rita Dove. This poem is about Dove’s childhood memory from memorial day. Her family is having a party, and her father has made his traditional grape sherbet. The children in the poem are running through a cemetery, and naming all the headstones after baby teeth they have lost. Nowadays, the speaker is no longer able to remember the taste of the sherbet. But now, the speaker is able to fully realize the importance of memorial day, though they weren’t able to as a child. They now know why their father stressed trying to teach them morals. (Dove) One significant poetic device of “Grape Sherbet” is symbolism.
Symbolism is when indirect messages are used to represent hidden meanings. In the poem, symbolism is used to represent the unknown thoughts of the children described by the reader. An example of this is, “That morning we galloped / through the grassed-over mounds,” (9-10). The children are all running around in a cemetery. The cemetery is where many fallen soldiers lie, and since it was memorial day, the cemetery had significant meaning. The “grassed-over mounds” are representative of the tombs of these fallen soldiers. “ And named each stone / for a lost milk tooth,” (11-12) is another example of symbolism. The children are naming the tombstones after their baby teeth that they had lost. This represents that they had lost their teeth, like the soldiers’ families lost their relative. “The children are running happily through it, disregarding the words on the stones and instead naming each headstone for a lost baby tooth,” (“‘Grape Sherbet’ Analysis”). This demonstrates how the children didn't know that they were running on top of the tombs of fallen soldiers, but instead they played a game and named the tombs
themselves. Again, Dove uses imagery in her poems to create senses that could normally only be felt if you were there in the moment. Imagery is used in this poem to help the reader experience the action of the day without actually being there in the moment. An example of imagery in the poem is, “Dad appears with his masterpiece- / swirled snow, gelled light,” (3-4). Dove is describing the look of her father’s masterpiece, his sherbet. She says it looks like snow, with a gel like texture. Another example is, “His cap turned up / so that bib resembles a duck,” (7-8). This describes her father’s hat, and how it looked like a duck. Finally, “Like salt on a melon that makes it sweeter,” (15) is another example of imagery. This helps the reader image the taste of the delicious sherbet her father has made. “The image of father...handing out a frozen treat on a hot day is evocative of summertime, and it is familiar memory for many readers,” (“‘Grape Sherbet’ Analysis”). This demonstrates how Dove’s experience from her childhood can relate to people nowadays by using imagery to describe familiar memories. The theme of “Grape Sherbet” is memory. Dove is trying to describe a memory from her childhood, but has slight trouble remembering it. She knows that it is of her father trying to teach her the real meaning and value of memorial day. The first three stanzas of the poem are all of recollection, adding to the theme of memory. She remembers that as a child she knew not of what her father wanted her to see. Now, as an adult, she realizes her father’s motives for keeping his tradition of memorial day. Memorial day is a day in the US in which we recognize and remember all the soldiers who have passed away while serving for our country. She herself, recognizes that entire nations celebrate life and share memories, not just families alone. (“‘Grape Sherbet’ Analysis” 112) Many of Dove’s poems have either a common theme, tone, mood, or other way in which they are related. Though, these two poems in particular have many similarities. The first being their happy mood. Both poems contain elements that give the reader a happy feeling. In “Geometry”, the speaker is expressing their happiness towards their exceeding level of education and learning. The poem states, “and above the windows have hinged into / butterflies, / sunlight glinting where they’ve intersected. / They are going to some point true and unproven.” (7-10). In these lines, the speaker is moving up to a higher level of thinking, which makes both the speaker and the reader get a happy feeling. “Grape Sherbet” also has a happy mood. The poem says, “We cheer. The recipe’s / a secret and he fights / a smile…” (5-7) and “Everyone agrees--it’s wonderful!” (16). In these lines, the speaker is expressing her joyous feeling towards her father’s famous sherbet. They cheer because they have been waiting all year for the delicious dessert, which makes the event even more exciting. Even though they know the dessert will be great, they still cheer in amazement and in how wonderful it tastes. The second similarity these poems share is that they both relate to the real and present world in which we live. “Grape Sherbet” has the underlying meaning that you should be grateful for your past memories, and to not take things for granted. Meanwhile, “Geometry” explains that if you think too logically, life is boring and has no fun, what is needed is disorder to achieve a wonderful life. “Grape Sherbet” states, “... I’ve been trying / to remember the taste / but it doesn't exist. / Now I see why / you bothered, / father.” (26-30). Now that the speaker is older, she no longer remember the taste of the sherbet. She is grateful that she no knows what the true meaning of memorial day is, but saddened by the fact that she cannot remember the sherbet. In “Geometry”, the logical thinking of people’s everyday life, detracts from the most meaningful moments, causing people to lose emotion and feel less content. Rita Dove uses imagery, personification, and symbolism in “Geometry” and “Grape Sherbet” to create moods that relate to the real world and her own past life. “Geometry” brings people back to their school days of solving proofs in geometry class, while “Grape Sherbet” evokes a sense of warmth and remembrance in readers due to the event that many people can relate to. Both poems have a happy mood that is created in the reader and the speaker of each poem. One poem makes the speaker happy because they are moving up in their level of education, while the other is of a happy memory in the past. It may be said that poetry is a great way for writers to escape from real life, all while relating their writings to the real world.
One example of symbolism is the main antagonist Kaine. Kaine possibly could symbolize suffering, sacrifices, loss, and most important, determination. While trying to find Kaine, Michael suffers along the way while overcoming the obstacles set in his path. In the end of the book, Michael actually is left on his own after both of his companions die. He then uses determination and drive to find Kaine and fight him. This proves that Kaine could symbolize sacrifice, suffering, loss, and determination because of the loss of Michael’s friends, the suffering at the hands of Kaine, and the determination Michael uses to find him. Another way James Dashner uses Kaine as a symbol is by his name. In fact, Kaine actually means ‘Tribute’. James Dashner could have taken advantage of this name to hint at the sacrifices the main character Michael would have to make and the determination he would have to show in order to defeat Kaine. To elaborate on the idea of symbolism, another symbol could be the Path. The Path is what Michael, Bryson, and Sarah were told to find to help them find Kaine. Michael and his friends faced a series of many arduous obstacles and challenges they had to pass in order to get through the Path. Even when Michael looses his two loyal best friends, he kept on going in order to reach Kaine. This means that the Path could symbolize assiduousness and
According to Google, symbolism in literature is defined as the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Symbolism can be seen throughout media and in many pieces of literature including To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In the book, the symbol of the mockingbird represents the character Boo Radley, and how his story teaches people to not always believe what others have to say about someone without being able to prove it true for themselves.
Symbolism is one of the most effective and powerful elements in writing. We see various examples of this all throughout "The Things They Carried." Symbolism enables us to tell a story one way, while all along trying to say another. I believe Tim O'Brien has achieved success in doing so in "The Things They Carried."
Symbolism is a literary device in which words, phrases or actions allude to something more than their literal meanings. In the short story “A Jury of Her Peers”, a major example of symbolism is the quilt. The quilt is perhaps the biggest example because it can be tied to many other examples of symbolism within the story, and can also be interpreted in different ways.
...e of the meanings to be determined by the reader, but clearly conveys the meaning behind others. Such variety provides something or someone for any reader to relate to. Symbolism, hidden or obvious, serves to connect the reader with the characters of “The Things They Carried” and follow their development with interest and ease. In many cases, symbols answer the question which the entire story is based upon, why the men carry the things they do.
Poetry is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities; it is solely used to evoke emotive feelings in the reader in which to convey a message or story. This form of literature has a long history dating back thousands of years and is considered a literacy art form as it uses forms and conventions to evoke differentiating interpretations of words, though the use of poetic devices. Devices such as assonance, figurative language, alliteration, onomatopoeia and rhythm are sometimes used to achieve a musical and memorable aspect to the poem. Poems are usually written based on the past experiences of the poet and are greatly influenced by the writer’s morals values and beliefs. Poetry regularly demonstrates and emphasises on the
Symbolism is something that represents more than what it really is. It is often by authors in their writing to give it more emphasis. For example:" In life there will always be peaks and valleys" meaning in life there will be ups and downs but we should enjoy the peaks and fight through the valleys. Objects can also be a form of symbolism such as The Bible, it represents more than just a book. It represents Life, Church, Religion, and the life of Jesus Christ and what he stood for. Irony is like a twist or words or the opposite of what is intended. For example: Laughing at someone that just slipped and fell, then later you find yourself slipping and falling is a form of irony. Irony is found in real life situations as well as writings. Symbolism is a technique that gives authors a better story and shows objects as more than what they are. They use techniques like this to catch the reader’s attention.
...to literature than what is seen by the eye. Sometimes the reader just needs to look a little closer to get a true understanding of what is being offered by the author through symbolism. O’Connor places symbolism throughout the story to foreshadow the future of the family and to show the true lives the individuals live. The symbolism in the story is what makes the reader read more closely and gain in depth the understanding of the story’s meaning, which also gives the story an exciting edge. O’Connor is well known for her symbolism and it is shown in this story over and over.
Symbolism “acts as webbing between theme and story. Themes alone can sound preachy, and stories alone can sound shallow. Symbolism weaves the two together” (Hall). Symbolism uses the story to convey the theme. Darkness is used in the novel to show the secrecy and lies that the story has. The whole story involves secrecy among two women and a man. Without symbolism the story would just have a very dark house and two very mysterious and disturbed women. Instead there is a feel of secrecy right from the beginning. Symbolism gives the story excitement, while also providing the reader with a good read. The author can read the first few pages and determine the story is not a happy
In today’s modern view, poetry has become more than just paragraphs that rhyme at the end of each sentence. If the reader has an open mind and the ability to read in between the lines, they discover more than they have bargained for. Some poems might have stories of suffering or abuse, while others contain happy times and great joy. Regardless of what the poems contains, all poems display an expression. That very moment when the writer begins his mental journey with that pen and paper is where all feelings are let out. As poetry is continues to be written, the reader begins to see patterns within each poem. On the other hand, poems have nothing at all in common with one another. A good example of this is in two poems by a famous writer by the name of Langston Hughes. A well-known writer that still gets credit today for pomes like “ Theme for English B” and “Let American be American Again.”
In almost every story, one can find symbolism throughout the text to help the reader better understand what the writer wants the reader to takeout from his/her story. Symbolism is something that must be analyzed and explored to experience a deeper meaning to the story. Sometimes, symbolism throughout a story may not be noticeable when first read, but going back to analyze the text can add a deeper meaning to words and can also help to enhance the meaning behind the story line. In some instances, symbolism can leave a reader to ponder what the writer is trying to express with the symbolism used in the story; for symbolism can be interpreted differently and can have many layers of meaning to it. Some good examples of short stories that use symbolism
Many authors and poets uses symbolism to express emotion and sections throughout the text. Symbols is a great literary device that can help give messages to the reader without the author being too direct. In the story, “Barns Burning” by William Faulkner, Symbolism helps analysis different emotions and meaning throughout the story.
Writers often use symbolism in the story to give a more vivid description rather than just saying, pictures are a perfect example. Symbolism is the art of using any object, place, name or anything that represents something rather
For example, when they found the Scarlet Ibis dead, the symbol of red flowers in the broken vase was used to resemble the dead bird’s beauty. “Even death did not mar its grace, for it lay on the earth like a broken vase of red flowers…” After Doodle had learned to walk, hope was symbolized by a bright cardinal; only this was the beginning of the older brother’s pride getting too big. “Hope (of Doodle walking) no longer hid in the dark palmetto thicket but perched like a cardinal in the lazy toothbrush tree, brilliantly visible.” The biggest symbol in “The Scarlet Ibis” was a slave resembling pride. “… that pride, whose slave I was, spoke to me louder than all their voices…” Symbolism shows how powerful pride can be and it helps set the theme of the
Symbolism is the practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or ideas. Symbolism is one of the most common practices of writing, and has been used for centuries. Symbols can often tell a story better than a human can because of there deeper meaning. When epic poems became popular during the Anglo-Saxon period they were filled with harrowing tales of bravery, and courage. Epic poems are long narrative poems that often have characters facing impossible tasks and still finding courage to defeat them. While many marvel at the original Anglo-Saxon dialect of Beowulf, Seamus Heany's modern English translation allows all readers to enjoy this tale.