Sonnet 130

Summary:

The poem is expression of love. The speaker admires has beloved, despite knowing
to to her physical flaws he explains her features not attractive yet she is beautiful in
her own way. She is rare to him. He talks about her lips breast hair and body. He
described her in a very honest way, and she doesn’t have the ideal standard of
beauty. Also, he talked about her unpleasant voice and compares her to stinky
breath with perfume, this strange comparison shows his acceptance of hair flaws .he
develops the idea that we shouldn’t see high standards in love.

Themes :

Love appearance and admiration are the main themes in this sonnet, the poem,
present two things, the worldly standard of beauty and the poet’s definition of beauty
. he talks about his beloved that her beauty doesn’t match the standard of beauty,
but he still loves her and she’s unique and rare for him. That’s why he doesn’t
measure his love on the worldly scale.

Genre : parody and satire

He employees the gender of parody. He makes fun of regular love poems by

describing his lover in a funny way and honest way instead of using flowery
language this makes the poem a bit like a joke about traditional love poems.

Tone : sarcastic and joyful irony.

“ and yet by heaven…….. false compare”

Shakespeare tries to break the beauty standers in 18 -17 century and broke the rules
that people Follow in orders to love someone

Imagery:

Vivid images

1. Coral lips: Instead of comparing his lover's lips to coral, which is typically done in
traditional love poetry, Shakespeare acknowledges that her lips are not actually like
coral, but rather "coral is far more red than her lips' red."

2. Snowy breasts: He contrasts his lover's breasts with snow, acknowledging that
while snow is white, her breasts are not actually white, but "dun."
3. Black wires on her head: Instead of describing his lover's hair as golden or spun
silk, Shakespeare humorously refers to her hair as "black wires," acknowledging its
natural color and texture.

4. Dun complexion: Rather than praising his lover's complexion as fair or rosy, he
describes it as "dun," or dark.

5. Red in her cheeks: Shakespeare admits that his lover's cheeks are not actually as
red as the traditional rose, but rather, "if hairs be wires, black wires grow on her
head."

1. Breath that reeks: Instead of praising his lover’s breath as sweet or

fragrant, Shakespeare humorously acknowledges that her breath does not smell like
perfume, but rather “reeks.”

2. Voice like music: While traditional love poetry often compares a lover’s
voice to melodious music, Shakespeare contrasts this by stating that his lover’s
voice is not as pleasing as music, but rather “is sound, but not so.”

3. Perfume: Shakespeare remarks that his lover does not need to be

perfumed with expensive scents like “civet,” which was a popular perfume ingredient
in his time, because her natural scent is just as pleasing.

4. Eyes not like the sun: Instead of likening his lover’s eyes to the bright
sun, Shakespeare humorously notes that her eyes are not “the sun,” but rather
“nothing like the sun.”

Literary devices (figurative language)

1. **Simile:** He compares his lover to things using "like" or "as." For example, he
says her eyes are "nothing like the sun."

2. **Metaphor:** He says things that mean more than what they actually say. Like
when he talks about her breath, saying it "reeks" instead of smelling nice.

3. **Irony:** He says things that are opposite of what you might expect. For instance,
when he talks about her not being as beautiful as nature, it's kind of funny because
most love poems say the opposite.

4. **Hyperbole:** Shakespeare exaggerates sometimes for effect. Like when he says

her voice isn't as nice as music, he's not being literal; he's just emphasizing his point
in a big way.

Why sonnet is different?

Sonnet 130 is different from other poems because it talks about love in a funny and
real way. Instead of saying his lover is perfect, Shakespeare talks about her
imperfections, like her not having red lips or smelling like flowers. This makes the
poem stand out because it's not like the usual love poems that make everything
sound perfect. Instead, it's more honest and down-to-earth, which is why people
remember it.

I wondered lonely as a cloud By :

Theme:

is about finding happiness and comfort in nature. The poet, William Wordsworth,
wants to show how being in nature can make us feel better when we're sad or lonely.
In the poem, the speaker feels alone at first, but then they see a bunch of beautiful
flowers (daffodils) and suddenly feel happy and inspired. This shows how nature has
the power to lift our spirits and bring us joy, even in our darkest moments.

Imegry :

1. “I wandered lonely as a cloud”: This simile creates a vivid image of the

speaker’s solitude and aimlessness, comparing them to a drifting cloud.

2. “Beside the lake, beneath the trees”: This line paints a picture of the
setting where the daffodils are found, suggesting a serene and natural environment.

3. “Fluttering and dancing in the breeze”: This personification of the

daffodils suggests movement and liveliness, making them seem almost like they’re
alive.

4. “Continuous as the stars that shine”: This metaphor compares the

abundance of daffodils to the countless stars in the night sky, creating a sense of
vastness and beauty.

5. “A host of golden daffodils”: This metaphorical description emphasizes

the large number and radiant color of the daffodils, making them seem like a vibrant
crowd or army.

some important ideas include:

1. Solitude and Connection: The poem explores the speaker’s initial

feeling of loneliness, contrasted with the sense of connection and joy they find in
nature.

2. The Beauty of Nature: The imagery of the golden daffodils symbolizes

the beauty and abundance of nature, which has the power to uplift and inspire.
 3. The Transience of Happiness: The fleeting nature of the speaker’s joy
reflects the transient nature of happiness itself, emphasizing the importance of
cherishing moments of beauty and wonder.

4. The Power of Memory: The speaker’s recollection of the daffodils

brings them comfort and happiness even after the experience has passed,
highlighting the enduring impact of memories and the ability of nature to leave a
lasting impression.

Genre: romantic poetry , emphasized emotion, imagination, and a deep connection

to nature.

Figurative language:

1. Simile: , “I wandered lonely as a cloud,” they’re comparing themselves

to a cloud to show how lonely they feel.

2. Metaphor: In the poem, the daffodils are compared to “a crowd” and “a

host of golden daffodils,” which helps us imagine how many there are and how they
look.

3. Personification: In the poem, the daffodils are said to be “dancing” and

“fluttering,” which makes them seem alive and joyful.

. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is when you exaggerate something to make a point. In

the poem, the daffodils are described as “stretching in never-ending line,” which
exaggerates their length to emphasize their abundance and spread.

The tone of "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" is generally , wonder, and joy. At the
beginning of the poem, the speaker describes feeling lonely and disconnected, but
as they meet the daffodils, their mood shifts to inspiration.

Annabel lee

Theme:

The main idea of "Annabel Lee" is about how powerful love can be. Even though
Annabel Lee dies, the person telling the story still loves her a lot. The poem talks
about how their love is so strong that it lasts even after she's gone.

Genre: narrative poetry , dark romanticism (death,supernatural)

The supernatural event in "Annabel Lee" is the continuation of the narrator's love for
Annabel Lee even after her death. The poem suggests that their souls are still
connected, defying the natural order of life and death.
"imagery,:

1. "A kingdom by the sea" - Evokes a picturesque coastal setting, creating a romantic
atmosphere.

2. "In a sepulchre there by the sea" - Conjures an image of a tomb or burial place
near the ocean, adding a sense of gloom and mortality.

3. "But we loved with a love that was more than love" - Describes an intense and
profound love beyond ordinary emotions, using imagery to convey its depth.

4. "And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes of the beautiful Annabel Lee" -
Creates a haunting image of the narrator feeling the presence of Annabel Lee even
in the night sky, emphasizing the enduring nature of their love.

5. “Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee” - Evokes a sense of coldness and

death, emphasizing the tragic loss of Annabel Lee.

6. “That the wind came out of the cloud, chilling and killing my Annabel
Lee” - Adds a sense of ominousness as the wind is personified as a force that brings
death.

7. “And the moon never beams without bringing me dreams” - Creates a

haunting image of the moon serving as a reminder of Annabel Lee and the dreams
associated with her.

8. “And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes of the beautiful
Annabel Lee” - Continues to emphasize the narrator’s deep connection to Annabel
Lee, even after her death, through the imagery of stars and her gaze.

Figurative language:

1. Simile: “But we loved with a love that was more than love” - Compares
their love to something beyond ordinary love, emphasizing its intensity.

2. Metaphor: “And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes of the
beautiful Annabel Lee” - Metaphorically compares the stars to Annabel Lee’s gaze,
suggesting the narrator feels her presence in the night sky.

3. Personification: “Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee” - Personifies the

wind as a force that brings death, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the poem.

4. Alliteration: “But we loved with a love that was more than love” -
Repetition of the “l” sound emphasizes the depth of their love.
 5. Symbolism: “A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling / My beautiful Annabel
Lee” - The wind symbolizes death and loss, contributing to the poem’s theme of
mortality.

Symbolism:

1. **The kingdom by the sea**: Symbolizes the idyllic setting of the narrator's love
story with Annabel Lee, representing a place of beauty and romance.

2. **Annabel Lee herself**: Symbolizes innocence, purity, and the fleeting nature of
life. Her death represents the inevitability of mortality and the loss of innocence.

3. **The sepulchre by the sea**: Represents death and loss. It's where Annabel Lee
is laid to rest, symbolizing the finality of death and the narrator's grief.

4. **Angels in heaven**: Symbolize divine beings and the afterlife. The mention of
angels admiring the love between the narrator and Annabel Lee suggests the
enduring nature of their love, even beyond death.

5. **The stars and moon**: Symbolize eternity and the passage of time. The narrator
feels the presence of Annabel Lee in the stars and dreams, emphasizing the
timeless nature of their love.

● Structure:
● "Annabel Lee" is structured as a narrative poem, telling a story about the
narrator's love for Annabel Lee and her untimely death. The poem consists of
six stanzas, each with a varying number of lines. The rhyme scheme is
consistent throughout the poem, with each stanza following an AABBCC
pattern. This rhythmic structure helps to convey the poem's themes and
emotions in a structured and memorable way. Additionally, the repetition of
certain phrases and imagery contributes to the poem's overall cohesion and
impact.

Unknown citizen

Genre: modernist poetry

Summary:

! "The Unknown Citizen" is a poem about a regular person who does everything
society expects of him. He follows the rules, pays his taxes, and doesn't cause any
trouble. The government sees him as a model citizen because he fits into their idea
of what a good person should be. But the poem also suggests that this man's
individuality and uniqueness are lost in the process, and he becomes just another
nameless figure in society's eyes.

Themes :

conformity and the loss of individual identity in modern society . how society expects
everyone to be the same and follow the rules, without thinking about what makes
each person special. The poem shows how people can get lost in society's
expectations and become just a number, instead of being recognized for who they
really are.

Imagery :

1. “He worked in a factory and never got fired”: This image shows the
man working in a factory, suggesting a routine and stable job.

2. “He was married and added five children to the population”: This image
paints a picture of a family growing in size, with the man fulfilling the societal
expectation of marriage and parenthood.

3. “His Health-card shows / He was once in hospital but left it cured”: This
image describes medical records and a hospital stay, indicating the man’s health
history and recovery.

4. “His Union reports that he paid his dues”: This image suggests
membership in a labor union, with records showing his commitment to paying fees.

5. “Yet he wasn’t a scab or odd in his views”: This image portrays the
man as someone who conforms to societal norms, not causing trouble or holding
unconventional beliefs.

1. “Our researchers into Public Opinion are content / That he held the
proper opinions for the time of year”: This image suggests that the man’s opinions
were in line with what was expected or popular at the time, as determined by public
opinion researchers.

2. “And our teachers report that he never interfered with their education”:
This image shows the man as someone who didn’t disrupt or challenge the
education system, but rather followed along without question.

3. “Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd”: This image

questions the idea of freedom and happiness for the unknown citizen, implying that
society doesn’t consider these factors important or relevant.

Figurative language:
 0. Satire: The entire poem serves as a satire, using humor and
exaggeration to criticize societal expectations and the dehumanizing effects of
bureaucracy.

1. Irony: The poem uses irony to show the difference between how the
government sees the citizen and the reality of his life. For example, praising him for
conformity while ignoring his individuality.

2. Hyperbole: There’s hyperbole, or exaggeration, when it says he “never

interfered with their education.” This emphasizes how much the citizen followed the
rules without question.

3. Personification: The poem gives human-like qualities to things like the

government and the union, making them seem like people with opinions and reports.

Tone:

The tone of "The Unknown Citizen" is satirical and critical. It uses humor and irony to
mock the idea of conformity and the loss of individual identity in modern society.

The cry of the cicada

Summary:

The cry of the cicada is a sound that cicadas make. They do this to attract mates or
establish territory. It's a loud, buzzing noise that can be heard during the day in warm
weather. Cicadas make this sound by vibrating their bodies.

The title “The Cry of the Cicada” is significant because it sets the tone and subject
matter of the poem. It suggests that the poem will focus on the sound made by
cicadas, which is often associated with warm weather and the natural world.
Additionally, the title may hint at the poem’s exploration of themes related to nature,
life cycles, and the passage of time.

Themes:

the cycle of life and nature's rhythms. It talks about how cicadas emerge, sing, mate,
and eventually die, following a natural pattern. The poem reflects on the beauty and
how they fast disappeared from life, as well as the connection of all living things in
the natural world.

It’s part of modernist movement

Japanese (haiku) the cry of the cicada

This poem resembles nature

The privity is the title of this form of poetry(the less you write the more you are haiku)
the more you try to follow the haiku style .

Explain:

The line means that even though the cicada makes a loud buzzing noise, it doesn't
tell us that the cicada will die soon.

In a station of the metro

Summary:

! "In a Station of the Metro" is a short poem that describes a scene in a metro station.
It compares the faces of the people in the station to petals on a wet, black bough.
This comparison creates a vivid image of the crowded station and the faces of the
people there. Overall, the poem captures a moment in time with just a few words.

Themes:

the fleeting nature of human connection and the beauty found in everyday moments.
The poem captures a brief moment in a busy metro station and suggests that even in
the hustle and bustle of daily life, there is beauty to be found in the faces of
strangers.

Certainly! Another idea in the poem is that while people's experiences are temporary
and fleeting, the beauty of nature is always there to provide comfort and inspiration.
The poet sees the faces of people in the metro station as being like petals on a tree
branch, which shows that even though people come and go, nature's beauty remains
constant.

Imegery:

1. Faces in a metro station: This image evokes the crowded and bustling
atmosphere of a metro station, with people coming and going.

2. Petals on a wet, black bough: This image compares the faces of the
people to petals, suggesting their fleeting and delicate nature, like flower petals on a
branch. The “wet, black bough” adds to the sense of contrast and intensity,
highlighting the vividness of the image.

…………
In "In a Station of the Metro," Ezra Pound juxtaposes the modern setting of the metro
station with the traditional imagery of nature to explore the theme of modernity and
tradition.

The modernity is represented by the busy metro station, filled with people rushing to
and fro. This setting reflects the fast-paced, urban lifestyle of the modern world.

On the other hand, the traditional imagery is found in the comparison of the faces of
the people to petals on a wet, black bough. This traditional image evokes a sense of
nature and tranquility, contrasting with the hustle and bustle of the metro station.

By bringing together these contrasting elements, Pound highlights the tension

between modernity and tradition. He suggests that even in the midst of modern
urban life, there is still a connection to the timeless beauty of nature. This
juxtaposition adds depth to the poem and invites readers to reflect on the
intersection of the modern and the traditional in their own lives.

The road not taken

Summary:

"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost is a poem about making choices and the
paths we take in life. The speaker describes coming to a fork in the road and having
to choose between two paths. Although both paths look similar and equally
appealing, the speaker ultimately chooses one path over the other. The poem
reflects on the significance of this choice and the uncertainty that comes with making
decisions. It suggests that the choice we make can have a lasting impact on our
lives, and that sometimes taking the less-traveled path can make all the difference.

Themes:

The main theme of "The Road Not Taken" is the concept of choice and its
consequences. The poem explores the idea that the choices we make in life shape
our experiences and determine our future paths. It emphasizes the importance of
individual agency and the uncertainty that comes with decision-making. Additionally,
the poem reflects on themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the idea of
exploring alternative paths in life.

Genre: narrative poem

Figurative language:
 1. Metaphor: The two roads in the poem serve as a metaphor for life’s
choices and opportunities. The fork in the road represents a decision point where the
speaker must choose which path to take.

2. Symbolism: The woods and the diverging paths symbolize the choices
and opportunities that present themselves in life. The road not taken represents the
paths not chosen, and the consequences of those choices.

3. Imagery: Frost uses vivid imagery to describe the setting of the poem,
such as the yellow wood, the diverging paths, and the leaves covering the ground.
These images create a visual representation of the scene and enhance the reader’s
understanding of the speaker’s dilemma.

4. Personification: The speaker personifies the two roads, describing

them as having different qualities and characteristics. For example, one road is
described as “grassy and wanted wear,” while the other is “just as fair.”

5. Repetition: The repetition of the phrase “I took the one less traveled by”
emphasizes the significance of the speaker’s choice and reinforces the theme of
individuality and self-discovery.

Imagery:

1. “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood”: This imagery evokes the visual
of a forest with two paths stretching out before the speaker, with the yellow wood
suggesting autumnal foliage.

2. “And sorry I could not travel both”: This line creates an image of the
speaker’s regret at not being able to explore both paths simultaneously, suggesting
the limitations of choice.

3. “And looked down one as far as I could”: Here, the imagery conveys
the speaker’s attempt to peer into the distance to discern which path to take,
indicating uncertainty and introspection.

4. “Then took the other, as just as fair”: This image suggests that the
second path appears equally inviting as the first, implying that both options seem
promising to the speaker.

5. “And both that morning equally lay / In leaves no step had trodden
black”: This imagery portrays the paths as covered with fallen leaves, untouched by
previous travelers, emphasizing the sense of novelty and possibility.

6. “Yet knowing how way leads on to way”: This imagery suggests the
idea of pathways leading to other pathways, illustrating the interconnectedness of
choices and the progression of life’s journey. It paints a picture of the endless
possibilities and branching paths that lay ahead after the speaker makes their initial
choice.

The structure of "The Road Not Taken" is a traditional form of poetry consisting of
four stanzas, each containing five lines. This structure is known as a quintain or a
five-line stanza. The poem follows a rhyme scheme of ABAAB, where the last word
of the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth
lines rhyme with each other. This structured form helps to emphasize the rhythm and
flow of the poem, as well as to convey the speaker's contemplative mood as they
reflect on their choice at the fork in the road.