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William Wordsworth 's "The world is too much with us" cautions us to maintain high value in nature 's importance. The sonnet discusses his perspective on people 's relationship with nature, nature 's importance, and his personal values in life. Wordsworth 's use of imagery and diction clearly displays just how essential nature is to human life. The symbolism exhibited throughout the poem shows how Wordsworth views nature and the significance of recognizing its true beauty. The speaker is being ironic when he says, "The world is too much with us” (1). When he speaks of "the world," he is referring to civilization. He speaks of it in a connotative way, rather than its literal meaning−the earth. In Line 2, he makes this known, claiming that "Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers." Line 2 supports the irony in line 1 and demonstrates how cultural norms are changing into something more artificial, rather than natural. This ultimately destroys what makes life so precious. The speaker places high importance on the value of nature. In lines 3-4, his perception of people 's relationship with nature is expressed, claiming that there is "little we see in nature that is ours / we have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!" In lines 2-4, though he is talking about the people around him, he inserts the word "we" into those lines. By doing so, he declares the importance of nature as a universal need. Conversely, if he were to insert the word "they," it would come across…

Anne Sexton’s poem, “Her Kind,” is a portrayal of a women who do not fit into society. The women of the poem are independent and powerful. Sexton uses two voices in each stanza. Each stanza describes a woman who is an outcast. These descriptions are based on stereotypes of women who go against the norms of society. The repetition of “a woman like that” and “I have been her kind” uncovers the true speaker of the poem. “Her Kind” reveals the expectations society has placed on women and how denying…

The poem “The Hawk” written by Harold Witt explores the dominance of the fierce creatures in the natural world and powerful corrupted figures in society. Although Witt describes the hawk’s attempt to capture its prey in the poem, Witt’s ultimate purpose to write this poem is to expose the reality of the social structure in society where dominating figures controls the community. Using literary features such as symbolism and metaphor, the contrast between predator and prey, powerful and weak is…

The Victims by Sharon Olds centers the question of who the real victims of divorce are. On the surface, it may appear a certain way, but upon further inspection, the answers may be something very different. The Victims can be split into two parts according to tone and tense. The first half of the poem is from the “child’s” point of view, and the second half, in the “adults” view. The first half of the poem (lines 1-17) is in the past tense and it appears as if the speaker is a young child…

Bleak Streets: Connotation, Tone, and Symbolism in William Blake’s London When one thinks about the city of London, they think of all the good things. Concepts like a fairy tale monarchy and citizens with delightful accents are the common allure for those born outside the monarchy. What they do not remember are all the horrible things that happened there, like the Black Plague and the reign of King Henry VIII. Even today there is crime and corruption throughout the city. What William Blake wants…

In a time of deep unrest during Gerard Manley Hopkins’ life, a point in which he both loved, yet combated with God, he produced the poem “Carrion Comfort”. The title of said poem was not given by Hopkins, but rather by his friend Robert Bridges (Gerard Manley Hopkins). Nevertheless, the title stands as an overall outlook for the poem to come, for it provides a sense of conflicting imagery, as well as a sense of darkness. “Carrion” as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary is, “the decaying…

The poem “Two Sisters of Persephone” by Sylvia Plath demonstrates several themes. Among these are time, nature, and duality. As time progresses, so do the emotions of the two sisters. The nature of the sisters’ surroundings can influence them, and human nature may play a role in their perception. The duality of the two sisters demonstrates their differences and how they compliment each other. The usage of literary devices also supports these themes. Imagery and euphemism compliment the theme of…

In Dulce et Decorum Est, Wilfred Owen appallingly recounts the occurrences on the battlefield throughout World War One. The poem is centered on the quote, “Dulce et decorum est- pro patria mori”, ironically meaning, “It is sweet and proper to die for one’s country”. However, there is absolutely nothing in the poem that is sweet. He depicts war as an aging and dehumanizing experience by utilizing terrifying metaphors and sensory details effectively. Owen then forces the reader to cringe through a…

William Morris, an English textile designer, artist, and writer delivered this speech to the audience members of the Trades’ Guild of Learning in 1877. The speech was given at the end of the Industrial Revolution, which means that scientific and technological progress dominated public interest. Considering the economic boost that science brought about, it was practically over-romanticized by members of society and it appeared to be the answer to every problem. However, the purpose of Morris’…

The poem “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden is a short lyrical poem that tells a particular story about the relationship between a father and son. Though the poem is filled with complex emotions, the simplistic language of the poem brings out the great use of imagery and alliteration that drawls out the density in each line. This poem is about two people, a son and a father. The son is recalling back to his adolescent years and his tough relationship with his father. The son, as a boy, did…