Contemporary Poem-Romantic Comparison

From http://www.poems.com/ Dec 15, 2007

Deep Winter by Karen Johnson

It happens every year, the same
imperceptible crossing of
the light, the future perfect
counterpoint to the beginning of
dragging the shovels out of the barn,
mounting the plow, the blower cleaned and
candles ready for the darkening
which has already come
which will always
be which is no more and no less
than a flake on the back of the ox
which once pulled down the high wall
of the shed with one shake
of its head, teeth clenched tight on the tether
and the lantern suddenly flaring.

In the Romantic era nature was viewed as a general standard. People who lived during this time highly discarded the philosophies of the Enlightment period on their viewpoint of nature. They believed the physical world was orderly, explicable, regular, logical. However, the Romantics thought nature was natural, which provided standards for beauty, and morality.
The poem "Deep Winter," describes nature, in particular as a thing of beauty. Winter triggers memories, things associated with nature that remember. In this poem's case, winter is the season which prepares work for the speaker of the poem; plowing, getting shovels out, and cleaning the blower. Romanticism was viewed as a time when expression was supposed to shown. Uniqueness was highly regarded as well as creavity. This era was a time to discover "oneself" and soul search. The impact of nature in the poem displays that this poem has Romantic ideals. The time of deep winter can present freedom and provide a time of reflection for an individual.

Romanticism

The Snow-Storm by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Announced by all the trumpets of the sky
Arrives the snow, and, driving o'er the fields,
Seems nowhere to alight: the whited air
Hides hills and woods, the river and the heaven,
And veils the farm-house at the garden's end.
The steed and traveller stopped, the courier's feet
Delayed, all friends shut out, the housemates sit
Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed
In a tumultuous privacy of storm.
Come, see the north wind's masonry.
Out of an unseen quarry evermore
Furnished with tile, the fierce artificer
Curves his white bastions with projected roof
Round every windward stake, or tree, or door.
Speeding, the myriad-handed, his wild work
So fanciful, so savage, naught cares he
For number or proportion. Mockingly
On coop or kennel he hangs Parian wreaths;
A swan-like form invests the hidden thorn;
Fills up the farmer's lane from wall to wall,
Maugre the farmer's sighs, and at the gate
A tapering turret overtops the work.
And when his hours are numbered, and the world
Is all his own, retiring, as he were not,
Leaves, when the sun appears, astonished Art
To mimic in slow structures, stone by stone
Built in an age, the mad wind's night-work,
The frolic architecture of the snow.

During the peek of the Romantic Period, nature became a focal point in literature and arts. The poem above creates an image of a snow storm, where natures overpowering force (in this case snow) covers most of the surroundings. Nature took upon several meanings during this era. For one, nature was believed to be the act of God, and through it circulate the "currents of the Universal Being." Also, nature provided a sense of beauty. By taking appreciation in nature's beauty, it inspires man to virtue. Beauty was believed to unite man, and restore one's soul.
Individualism was another key component of Romanticism. In Emerson's poem, all aspects on nature seem to be individual and separate before the storm hits. For instance, the trees, houses, hills and farmhouse show a world that is completely separate from each other. However, once the snow storm arrives nothing seems separate, and therefore everything is connected since not a single part of nature stands out.

Key Figures in Enlightment Period

John Locke

John Locke was a key figure during the Enlightment Period. Locke's ultimate goal was to show how closely language is connected with the process of thought, which would therefore emphasize the need to use language in the most precise way. Locke also opposed many popular forms of criticisms during his peak, such as the idea of pleasure and profit, but revived ideas on philosophy and poetry and rhetoric (Platonism). In other words, Locke thought that poetry was governed by wit, which sees identities between different things. Philosophy is supposed to teach right from wrong, preside over judgement and to continue further interests in knowledge. Locke also had harsh views on figurative language and rhetoric because there can be so much "error and deceit."

Edmund Burke

Burke, like Locke, believed that knowledge is gained through experience and experimentation. Burke stated that people usually have fixed criterias for truth and falsehood and for operations of reason. But where taste is concerned, a superficial view suggests that people differ widely. Certain standards of taste are common to all human beings. Burke divides the faculities whereby we know the external world into three: senses, imagination, and judgement. An example Burke uses about sesnes is that all organs of men are the same. Therefore, the manner men percieve external objects is the same. In imagination, Burke views it as a creative art and that imaginations come from the recieved senses. Imagination also is the most extensive activity of pleasure and pain.

Mary Wollstonecraft

Mary Wollstonecraft was regarded as one of the first feminist writers of modern time. She was a radical thinker of her time mostly over the French Revolution of 1789. An important influence that Wollstonecraft had during the Enlightment Period was that of women's rights. She was a proponent of better education for women, have more authority, and freedom. She was very brave for speaking on women's equality because it caused much uproar during that time.

Philip Sidney and J. Alfred Prufrock

In class we have been discussing Sir Philip Sidney, a famous philosopher and critique of literature during the Renaissance era. We are to compare some of his ideas to that of the famous literary work, "The Love Song of J. Alfred and Prurock." One of the points Sidney tries to make is about human creativity in a theological context. He refers to "original sin, as a result of which our erected wit, maketh us know what perfection is, and yet our infected will, keepeth from reaching unto it." In the Love Song of J. Alfred Profruck, Prufrock lives a life of despair, one of sin. That sin, is present in the poem. For example, his weakness is that of love and to fulfill this desire, Prufrock visits "one night cheap hotel and sawdust restraunts with oyster shells." Finding prostitutes, with the intention of sleeping with a wome exemplifies sin. Prufrock knows he is sinful, and is far from perfect. He is concerned with his looks because he is aging quickly. "With a bald spot in the middle of my hair, they willl say, "how his hair is growing thin."

Sidney might view the work of T.S. Eliot's literary work as one that is not moral. Sidney defines poetry that is moral by being able to "delight and teach." Sidney also believes "the object of both teaching and delighting is goodness:by delighting, the poet moves people to welcome goodness; and by teaching, he enables them to "know that goodness whereunto they are moved. " I am not too sure if this poem actually teaches a readers much. The poem leaves an array of questions such as "who Prufrock is addressing, what is symbolic and literal in the poem, and what is the true meaning of the work. I feel like this poem from the viewpoint of Sidney would not be much of a success in his eyes. There is not much to teach and because of the dark, gloomy feel to the poem, it really doesn't provide much reading delight.

The Later Middle Ages

As the economy grew and became stable during the later Middle Ages, education became more of an emphasis, in particular universities. Grammar and rhetoric were taught, as well as regular cirriculum. Neo-Platonism regressed and the ideas of scholasticism became popular. Scholasticism primarily focused philosophical teachings of the church. These philosophical ideas focused ideas on poetry and how these writing were based on logic rather than grammar. Poetry was supposed to "manipulate language rather than as a subject of its own content." In other words, scholastic believers of this time did not think highly of poetry becasue it caused distraction to theology, scriptures and the Christian doctrine. It's worth noting that the views of logic and poetry, were very similar to Aristotle. However, there were many people who opposed this notion of poetry being a distraction. Many philosophers disagreed, believing poetry offered moral instruction and provided enjoyment. Overall, poetry recieved mixed types of criticism. Many believed it embodied learning, and should be taught in the cirriculum with subjects such as dialect, grammar and rhetoric. Many on the other hand still viewed poetry as logic and had no place in grammatical tradition.

Thoughts on the The Medieval Era

Habib the author of the text, made a strong connection of the Church to that of the Medieval Times. In the first few pages of the chapter, I found it interesting the importance and influence Christianity played in the government, social class, commerce, order, education and even layed a foundation for Feudalism. The Church promoted and dominated ideas and values to that of the Empire such as moral values, leadership, and appropriate conduct. Literature during the Medieval time incorporated many of the values listed above and tied them into ideas of classical thought. The Church used literature in ways to press issues like salvation, preparation, and to continue classical philosophy.
Augustine, a christian thinker, influenced those of Roman and Protestant thought. His strategy was to combine classical thought and literature to Christian morals and purposes. Augustine believed that philosophy had a place in wisdom, but insisted reason promoted the understanding of faith and God. He believed that pride was one of the main reasons for sin. One of the key points Augustine made was that while he didn't oppose human's free will, he believed human decisions and actions had a sufficient cause. People are not chosen to heaven based on their goodness but for unknown reasons.
Lastly, I think one of the most important pieces of this chapter deals with signs and figurative language. Augustine believes that figurative expression should "not be taken literally." He says that that what is taken literally must be taken figurative and that figurative langauge is an expression and needs to be understood. Figurative language is supposed to make someone look through things, taking them as signs of a symbolic level.

Sublimity-What Moves Me

In class we have been covering Longinus and sublime. The idea of sublimity covers much depth, but sublime to me is an experience and or emotion that creates a great feeling, memory, and makes you obtain a higher feeling.

Things that move me:

The first thing that comes to mind that moves me and can be considered sublime is music. I love all types of music, it always creates positive feelings, emotions. Music seems to trigger so many things.
Songs that move me:
1. Wont Back Down by Tom Petty- one of my all time favorite songs, I think the title speaks for itself, can be applied in many ways of life.
2. More Than a Feeling by Boston-brings a great sense of joy, an upbeat rock song that can be listened to in any type of situation
3.I've Got Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks- reminds me of partying with my friends, karoake at the bars, and lots of beer drinking
4. How We Do by 50 Cent and The Game-nothing like driving in your car listening to this song
5. Freebird by Lynard Skynard- I enjoy this song because of the instrumentals throughout

Athletics has created lots of sublimity throughout my life. There are a few particular occurences that come to mind. Basketball season 2004 senior year in high school. With a playoff spot on the line I scored 27 points to lead my team to victory. The ultimate feeling of accomplishment that came with performance is a memory I will not forget. All the hardwork and time put in, created a certain satisfaction that cannot be repeated.

Pitching a two hit shutout in the semifinals of the state tournament against one of the top teams in state. All the hours spent practicing had paid off, and prepared me for success in one the biggest games that I ever pitched in.

Living in Washington State- where else can you live and be near so much beauty? I have been blessed to live in such a beautiful area. I can drive in nearly 4 hrs to Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainer, the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade Mountain Range, the Cascade Rainforest, the Puget Sound, Canada, or Seattle. The Pacific Northwest is an amazing place to live, and makes it more rewarding, and satisfying to return home every winter and summer break.

My family is a huge part of my life. They support me in whatever I choose to do, and have provided a foundation for me to be successful in life.

The book My Side of the Mountain, I read this book three times over when I was a young child, about a boy running away from home, with his pet hawk, and lives in the trunk of a tree. The indepenedence the boy feels living on his own and the adventure he encounters made for fun reading.