Depression plagues the lives of many: in fact, an estimated 350 million of all ages suffer from the mental illness. Jane Kenyon, an award-winning contemporary poet, was one of the victims, as she frequently wrote about the battle that afflicted her adult life while fighting leukemia as well. However, Jane Kenyon felt an enlightening, comforting presence she associated with Christianity, which she revealed once she and her husband moved to Eagle Pond Farm. Jane Kenyon’s poems depict themes depression and death whilst revealing the importance of Christianity that played in her life through effective literary devices.
Throughout her poetry, Jane Kenyon accentuates her life experiences by using literary devices such as similes and imagery in much …show more content…
Kenyon uses the poetic device in “Let Evening Come”, to actualize the importance that one should not be afraid of all misfortunes like death, because there is hope that originates from the promise that God gave all beings, so “Let it come, as it will, and don’t / Be afraid. God does not leave us / Comfortless, so let evening come” (16-18). Adversities like death induces levels of uneasiness and discomfort, but Kenyon states that we need to face it, as we are never alone. An evening is the end of the day, which is symbolic of one’s end of life, and Kenyon implies that there is no promise of rescue or relief. However, Kenyon is aware of the resiliency of hope, which appears from the promise from God that one is never left to face the darkness alone, so one should not be concerning oneself. She also exploits repetition in “Otherwise”, to portray the inevitability of death. At first, the poem starts off with an upbeat tone as if the author appreciates her life, but it eventually changes to a drearier one as she says “I got out of bed / On two strong legs / It might have been otherwise /… / But one day, I know / It will be otherwise” (1-26). Although one must be thankful for their abilities such as strong legs, there is always the ineluctable day of one’s demise. The tone creates an impending feeling of death, suggesting that there will be a day in the future where her days will change, and she will not be able to wake up with strong legs. Moreover, Jane Kenyon communicates her belief that life is short, so one must live life and enjoy what one has because one never knows what could happen. Thus, Kenyon is able to use repetition to implement her thoughts and beliefs on death and its inevitability
Throughout her poetry, Jane Kenyon accentuates her life experiences by using literary devices such as similes and imagery in much …show more content…
Kenyon uses the poetic device in “Let Evening Come”, to actualize the importance that one should not be afraid of all misfortunes like death, because there is hope that originates from the promise that God gave all beings, so “Let it come, as it will, and don’t / Be afraid. God does not leave us / Comfortless, so let evening come” (16-18). Adversities like death induces levels of uneasiness and discomfort, but Kenyon states that we need to face it, as we are never alone. An evening is the end of the day, which is symbolic of one’s end of life, and Kenyon implies that there is no promise of rescue or relief. However, Kenyon is aware of the resiliency of hope, which appears from the promise from God that one is never left to face the darkness alone, so one should not be concerning oneself. She also exploits repetition in “Otherwise”, to portray the inevitability of death. At first, the poem starts off with an upbeat tone as if the author appreciates her life, but it eventually changes to a drearier one as she says “I got out of bed / On two strong legs / It might have been otherwise /… / But one day, I know / It will be otherwise” (1-26). Although one must be thankful for their abilities such as strong legs, there is always the ineluctable day of one’s demise. The tone creates an impending feeling of death, suggesting that there will be a day in the future where her days will change, and she will not be able to wake up with strong legs. Moreover, Jane Kenyon communicates her belief that life is short, so one must live life and enjoy what one has because one never knows what could happen. Thus, Kenyon is able to use repetition to implement her thoughts and beliefs on death and its inevitability