Analysis Of Cullen's Poem 'To The Swimmer'

In this poem the Cullen wrote short phrases that are written in memory of a person who has died, something that can be in scripted on a tombstone. His main focuses are epitaphs written for a fool, one who gaily sowed his oats, for a wanton, and for a preacher. The main points are the epitaphs being relatable to whom they concern. The topics that are covered are death, wisdom, love, and vanity. All in all, the author’s thesis is to show the different roles someone may had in life and what could be written on their tombstones. Finally, to reflect on this poem this source gives a better understanding about the author because you can see his style of writing. I was able to understand Cullen tone, style, and syntax of writing. This particular poem …show more content…
This struggle is seen when the poem describes the waves that are coming in strong. Although the waves may be strong the person is fighting against them. The poem give images of someone trying to conquer their problems with strong arms. For the theme it would be getting through hardships. The water would symbolize that you will get through whatever is thrown your way. So one thing to take from this is that even though your hardships may get you down now just know you get back on your feet. The source was useful overall because it has a positive message behind it. Instead of giving up on something you pick your head up and keep going. The poem was easy to read and understand. The title could have some confused a little I thinking the poem is just about swimming. This specific poem does not contribute to the LGBT …show more content…
It is produced for the bereaved family of the young brown girl discussed in the poem. This poem goes beyond the question of color of memorial stone. The poet were trying to stop the crushing of the dead girl beneath a weight whose white color would be unknown to her. The white is a symbol of commitment and the use of it would mean doing violence. Instead of a Christian eternity for the deceased girl the poet envisions her reincarnation into a plant or animal. This allows him to announce the requirement of love for one’s neighbor as well as of kindness towards animals. The source is useful because of the insight readers get when the poet is talking about the white marble on the girls grave. The poem is a little hard to follow the first time reading through it. Rereading helps understand the meaning better. The author is becoming more and more spiritual as I read more poems from The poem “Yet Do I Marvel” is kind of a way of Countee Cullen saying that he felt isolated. God is important within this poem, making reference to him lets readers know that through all he went through he still relied on God in the end to get him through. In this poem, Cullen tackles the irony of believing in a good God when there's so much suffering in the world, and particularly that of black people in America. God is supposed to be good, so why curse this poet by making him black in a world where black poets suffer all kinds of misfortune,