My Box and Valentine Essay Example

My Box and Valentine Paper My Box by Gillian Clarke is a poem about a box a lover produces himself for his lover. The box symbolises the couples relationship and memories as in my box are twelve black books, where I have written down how we have sanded, oiled and planed The box symbolises the memories and the joyous day they shared together. Although the lover has made the box, it has been created by emotions, feeling and love. The box becomes the romantic image within the poem. In this box are stored memories of the couples relationship. At the end of each stanza, the poet refers to a golden tree. This golden tree plays a significant part in the poem, as it reflects the solidness of their relationship. The tree represents the building and growing up of a beautiful relationship having the branches representing the ups and downs of their time together. Valentine on the other hand, has a far stranger meaning of love than My Box. We will write a custom essay sample on My Box and Valentine specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on My Box and Valentine specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on My Box and Valentine specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The title tells you that the poem is a valentine a gift of love but straight away the poem makes it clear that it is not an ordinary type of valentine not a red rose or a satin heart, rejecting conventional presents, as she gives an onion. It seems rather strange that someone would give their lover such a worthless gift. However, when we realise what the onion symbolises, we understand that it actually is the perfect gift. The poet uses an extended metaphor. She writes about her relationship as if it was an onion. For example It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. It promises light This reminds us of the papery, brown skin of an onion, and the moist, shimmery moonlight glow of an onion when it is freshly peeled. Love is often associated with moonlit night, so this is a romantic statement. The onion is wrapped in brown paper, suggesting that her love is pure and simple; therefore the onion can say all she wants to say to her lover. It is interesting that where other poets might talk about their feelings for a lover using symbols, this poet uses a symbol to talk about her love. A brown paper wrapping has to be removed. So does the onion skin. When the different layers of the onion are revealed they are like the careful undressing of love, that is, the discoveries that love brings. In My Box, however, a similar picture is drawn, as the golden tree takes time to grow, it has to be nurtured, fed and looked after just like the relationship. Carol Ann Duffy makes you more aware of the poem by using an unusual image- it makes you curious therefore it persuades you to carry on reading. The poem shows how normal valentine gifts do not necessarily have to show you love someone. That is why she uses an onion to prove her point. She argues that an onion is a good symbol of the relationship she has with her partner. My box is more rural referring to harvested apples, gold crests and rare red kites, where as Valentine uses simple words and language. Both poems portray a picture of how the present symbolises love- both in a positive and romantic attitude. My box is made of golden oak, is the first line to My Box she tells us how her box is made of oak which is solid wood, suggesting the stability and strength of her own relationship. Valentine explains how an onion is a moon wrapped in brown paper and how it promises light, like the careful undressing of love. The poet creates a sexual yet delicate image in these lines sexual by the word undressing, yet delicate created by the word in front of it careful. In the first stanza of My Box, the poet stresses how beautifully the box has been made how the lover fitted hinges and a lock of brass and a bright key. She explains how he made it out of winter nights, sanded, oiled and planed, this box making it seem as though it took a long time to make it, and creates the box to be very precious to the woman. In the second stanza, she discusses some of the things they have achieved throughout long years of their relationship. She has written this all down in her twelve black books and keeps this in the box. In the last stanza, the woman wants her lover and/or people after her to come and read all of this- I leave it there for you to read or them when we are dead, e.g. good relationships, golden trees are slowly made in other words they dont come easily but have to be nurtured and worked out. Both poems explain how love is everlasting the golden tree represents the purity and value of love and the onion represents how you have to peel each layer of your lover to reveal a layer of them. The poet adds a note of caution too much commitment could kill off their relationship- Lethal. The vocabulary used in My Box is connected to nature- nature representing their love and feelings, where as Valentine uses words describing the onion, or words that are connected with love to the onion. The language and vocabulary is very simple perhaps to suggest that she wants a simple, uncomplicated love. She makes statements I give you an onion it will blind you with tears. They make the poet sound definite and authoritive. Carol Ann Duffy gives you the message that an onion is more than a soppy card or a cute teddy. My Box on the other hand is more conventional and explains how in my box are twelve black books- how we have sanded, oiled and planed the relationship. Gillian Clarke places her words in threes sanded, oiled and planed seen jays and gold crests, rare red kites harvested apples and words and days. The repeated structure of and emphasises what is going on. It is important to notice the spaces between the stanzas in Valentine. For example it is interesting that I am trying to be truthful is a statement on its own, (to emphasis how vital truth is in a relationship) but is followed by not a cute card or a kissogram. The second pause allows us to reflect that cute cards and kissograms (more usual valentine gifts) dont really reflect true love. In My Box, the beats in a line are regular- 8,6,8,6 etc, as are the lines. This suggests that she wanted her poem to be solid like her golden tree. Carol Ann Duffy uses a lot of I/you structure in Valentine. The I is the speaker and the you is the recipient of the onion. This allows Carol Ann Duffy to construct something like a one-sided dialogue. In My Box, Gillian Clarke also uses I, but she also uses we- referring to the couple, not just an individual. If we think of the metaphors for Valentines Day; the roses, satin hearts, and cute cards, it is clear to us by now that Carol Ann Duffs intention is to eliminate the pretty image of Valentines Day to make people realise that love is serious. Take it. Line 18 tells us that you have not taken the onion yet. The second offer of the onion takes us to the final stanza, where more metaphors are found. Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring. The poet used platinum taking a deliberately unromantic view. The speaker goes for the plainer look metal, but one of worth. The ring inspired by the onion is offered with if you like. The person to whom the whole onion is given to is offered the choice. There is no promise of hearts and roses. Lethal. Usually this word is linked with danger and deadly, yet it is used in the poem. The speaker cautions the recipient- that too much commitment could lead to the breaking off of their relationship. Most of the poem sounds as if the lines are natural and spontaneous, being written as the words came to her because there is no rhyme in the poem. However, some of the sounds are carefully arranged. Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips. The s sounds may suggest a couple kissing. I give you an onion is repeated it reinforces that it not a joke, that she is giving this person an onion and really means it. The poem does not have a regular beat or form as My Box. The lines and stanzas are of irregular length. This could be to give a sense of urgency, or that because traditional poems are often written very regular and may even rhyme, her decision not to confirm to this stereotype is further proof that her love goes beyond the ordinary, and so is that much more special. The tone of the poem is sad and negative, warning her lover not to get too close, yet realistic, but encouraging and warm. My Box has a warm and encouraging tone to it it is gentle and tender.

Mario Vargas Llosa Essay Example

Mario Vargas Llosa Essay Example Mario Vargas Llosa Essay Mario Vargas Llosa Essay The article of Mario Vargas Llosa seeks to showcase the relevance and importance of literature in today’s society. With the rapidly emerging technological improvements and developments, the study of literature becomes only a secondary endeavor. It is through this that he points out the reasons as to why the study should continue to become an integral part of mans undertaking and continued study. His first argument revolves around the shift of the idea concerning the study of literature. Through the years and decades that passed, the idea concerning the discipline seems to connote a â€Å"female activity†. This is due to the amount of time available for them. Likewise, it is in here that he argues for that literature is not only considered as a luxurious pastime but an instrument for honing mans formation of a better society (Llosa, 2001). After this, he pointed out the way man has been too preoccupied with the developments happening in their lives. He argued that due to man’s obsession towards improving technologically and intensifying specialization, the basic elements of life are being hampered. It is this continued passion to look deeper into something creates neglect of the importance of the overall whole. It is in this that many states are prone to various distortions of reality; leading to conflict and forms of violence (Llosa, 2001). Similarly, Llosa argued towards literature by linking it to its uniqueness and capability to extract experiences among different kinds of people. It continuously grows and develops as people prescribe different meanings and ideas dominant during a particular period in time. It is a method used to determine our own history as authors continue to relate their experiences using metaphorical and rhetorical stories. It is in these things that mans eyes are continuously opened as the truth concerning issues are constantly showcased. It also generates the level of satisfaction and appreciation of values and ideals in the goal of attaining truth and integrity. It gives man the ability to use their imagination towards perceiving and helps them engage in dialogue among other people. It is these collective experiences that continue to shape mans decisions and actions. In the end, literature â€Å"exists only when it is adopted by others and becomes a part of social life – when it becomes, thanks to reading, a shared experience† (Llosa, 2001, p.5) On the other hand, the absence of literature creates numerous limitations ranging from the verbal towards intellect and imagination. Its continued evolution paved the way for the creation of language. Similarly, it is used as an instrument to showcase a radical opposition to the status quo. Showing the ills and inequalities among each member solidifies the clamor and motivates change to happen. With these, it enables the formulation of new policies for governments to fight and clamor for an equal and democratic society (Llosa, 2001). In addition, literature may not all the time showcase the goodness of life. On the other hand, it can use symbols and imagination which can strike indelible marks in each ones personality and the ills of society. These insights provide us with the appropriate sensitivity to make the changes needed for individual and societal betterment. In the end, Llosa argues the struggle of man towards overdevelopment. With these, he fears that man can continuously lose interests in books and literature and the new trend in today’s society can only leave soulless individuals with no perception for change, sensitivity, and freedom to choose what they want to do. References Llosa, M.V. (2001) Why Literature in The New Republic. Retrieved October 18, 2008 pp. 1-7

Summary of the Adventure in the human Spirit Essay

Summary of the Adventure in the human Spirit - Essay Example The book further clarifies the correlation in western cultural and music and how the society portrays the women who participate in music and other work of arts. Adventure in the human Spirit is a book that was written with a view of assisting students or scholars with insufficient knowledge and background in the arts and humanities. Adventure in the human spirit provides a sensible introduction to the major arts, religion and philosophy in the arena of visual arts and film studies. The author tries to integrate the knowledge of arts in the concept of humanities to help students become more conversant with the ways of acquiring knowledge in the arts and humanities. This implies that the students will be well-informed and hence will have the capacity to blend critically and properly with their society, culture and history. The focal point of on core ideas and issues with respect to human experience promotes appreciation of the function of the knowledge and values in curving and appreci ating human behavior and conduct. The study on humanity also emphasize on the duties and opportunities of any democratic citizenry , underscoring the importance of the creative arts of any literature material, music, theater and arts and inform us to essential issues that take place within the society in a progressively interconnected and interdependent world. Based on humanities, this text handles the concept of humanity by centering on the principles styles, events, figures and movements as it chronologies these aspects of life from the past life to the present date. It brings the early life by entailing valid and authentic records or documents of events, figures or movement as they take place in day to day activities. The concept of humanities is also underscored in this text via relative global approach, through instances of existing literature on philosophies and music. In fact on the basis of music, it highlights how women and other minority artists contribute to the music ind ustry in their effort to find out the wealth of humanities imbedded in their lives. The book also clarifies the spirit of decoration through the spirit of Baroque illustrating how the western culture embraced the concept of beauty through decoration and beautification of their work of arts. In essence, this books tries to be more readable and understandableamong the scholars particularly among the students who wish to gather more knowledge and concept on humanity. Given that it summarizes the historical advancement in the field of religion, arts, science and philosophy, basing its coverage on the western world, with focus on the relationship between the ideas and the cultural creation, the conciseness and coherence of this text compared to other existing literature proves that this book is determined to invite readers into a thoughtful and lifelong conversation with the humanities. According to Bishop The most pronouncing advancement of this text is the incorporation of color photog raphs nearly in every page which actually is a benefit to students and readers who have a specific interest on the concept of visual arts in depth. In Chapter 2, through the spirit of enlightenment, this text highlights the civilizations and progress as it considers our perspective of human progress and development with respect to the invention of skepticismand empiricism. These concepts also underscore proper understanding of the philosophical roots of the contemporary scientific approach or attitude. Based on Chapter (12) and chapter (13)the Bishop introduce scholars and students to philosophical concepts