Vestiges, an Analysis Vestiges, by A. Van. Jordan, on the surface, is a free verse, short, and well written poem. The narrator is the speaker, and it is 6 stanzas and 6 sentences alike. Technically strong, and inbred with gorgeous imagery, Vestiges is not easily forgotten. It’s depth however, exceeds the simple haunting of the baseline beauty. The speaker in the poem fears death; he fears the anonymity that accompanies it. With this, he seeks companionships in the act. Contemplation of morality, and the efforts that encompass a strong legacy create conflict within. In the poems last line, death strikes. Language, imagery, and structure help to support this theory. Vestige is a noun, something that is disappearing, that barely maintains
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Line 4, “My fear of bones, walking the ocean the floor”, is disturbing. It symbolizes death at the hands of the ocean. The prior line complements this, as it discusses drowning. Together the two lines insinuate that dying is not awful, but the anonymity of being no one, of being lifeless bones, is worthy of fear. Lines 7 and 8 are the epitome of this analysis; they can be taken quite literally. The speaker makes light of the issue by calling it a joke, but speaking of the temperature and depth of the sea, while wanting to immerse oneself, is a death wish. The speaker essentially asks somebody to follow him in this plight. Despite calling it a joke, the fear that was previously established is evident. Line 12 is arguably the most distinguishable line of the piece, as it appears quite odd, and complements the ideology behind the analysis of lines 7 and 8; “With a dog paddling behind me”. The dog is commonly known as man’s best friend and fiercely loyal protector. The speaker wishes to be pursued by a dog. This confirms his strong desire for everlasting commitment, of a …show more content…
Van. Jordan is rich in word, and strong in technicality. While seemingly abstract upon first read, the poem is strong in its purpose. The speaker, an assumed male due to the authors gender, is contemplating human morality and value of one’s own life. His quest allows him to feel insignificant in the scheme of things, perhaps the reasoning behind the vast oceanic setting. The man is fearful, and desires the comfort of relation in his descent. Perhaps, this fear steams from regret, after all, most would not be content leaving a vestige as a legacy. The poem is set up for individual interpretation on the why and how, but it is strong in its
Line 4, “My fear of bones, walking the ocean the floor”, is disturbing. It symbolizes death at the hands of the ocean. The prior line complements this, as it discusses drowning. Together the two lines insinuate that dying is not awful, but the anonymity of being no one, of being lifeless bones, is worthy of fear. Lines 7 and 8 are the epitome of this analysis; they can be taken quite literally. The speaker makes light of the issue by calling it a joke, but speaking of the temperature and depth of the sea, while wanting to immerse oneself, is a death wish. The speaker essentially asks somebody to follow him in this plight. Despite calling it a joke, the fear that was previously established is evident. Line 12 is arguably the most distinguishable line of the piece, as it appears quite odd, and complements the ideology behind the analysis of lines 7 and 8; “With a dog paddling behind me”. The dog is commonly known as man’s best friend and fiercely loyal protector. The speaker wishes to be pursued by a dog. This confirms his strong desire for everlasting commitment, of a …show more content…
Van. Jordan is rich in word, and strong in technicality. While seemingly abstract upon first read, the poem is strong in its purpose. The speaker, an assumed male due to the authors gender, is contemplating human morality and value of one’s own life. His quest allows him to feel insignificant in the scheme of things, perhaps the reasoning behind the vast oceanic setting. The man is fearful, and desires the comfort of relation in his descent. Perhaps, this fear steams from regret, after all, most would not be content leaving a vestige as a legacy. The poem is set up for individual interpretation on the why and how, but it is strong in its