Poem Analysis: Power and Conflict Anthology

Poem Analysis: Power and Conflict Anthology

• Kamikaze by Beatrice Garland:

  • The pilot's departure at sunrise symbolizes hope and duty, yet also foreshadows a possible death.
  • The pilot's internal conflict between dying in battle or living in dishonor is highlighted by the questioning of the better way to die.
  • The poem uses imagery, symbolism and irony to explore themes of duty, honor, and the sacrifice of war.

• Tissue by Imtiaz Dharker:

  • Paper, symbolic of human life, is described as fragile yet capable of light and knowledge.
  • The poem connects the delicacy of paper to the human condition and the interconnectedness of life.
  • The transformation of paper into skin emphasizes the fragile nature of existence and the connection between creation and life.

• Storm on the Island by Seamus Heaney:

  • The people build their houses low and strong to resist storms, reflecting human resilience against nature's forces.
  • The change from a calm sea to a violent one is symbolized by the comparison to a tame cat turning savage.
  • The poem uses imagery and contrast to present the unpredictable power and destructive potential of nature and the need for preparedness.

• Exposure by Wilfred Owen:

  • The soldiers endure brutal cold, symbolized by the merciless east winds.
  • The poem's refrain of "but nothing happens" highlights the inaction and hopelessness of the soldiers in war.
  • The personification of nature and repeated sounds create a sense of great suffering and the cruelty of nature.

• My Last Duchess by Robert Browning:

  • The Duke displays a portrait of his deceased wife, revealing a possessive and controlling nature.
  • The Duke's commands, a euphemism, emphasize his cold authority and the tragedy of his actions.
  • The poem reveals themes of power, control, and the objectification often caused by control-based relationships.

• The Prelude: Stealing the Boat by William Wordsworth:

  • Nature is shown as a guiding and controlling force in the speaker's life.
  • The imposing imagery of the "huge peak, black and huge" shows the awe and potential fear of nature's power.
  • The speaker's relationship with nature and the nature's role is the subject of the poem.

• London by William Blake:

  • The poem portrays the idea of mental enslavement through social structures.
  • The decline in moral values in the church is presented by the "black'ning churches."
  • The poem explores the themes of control, psychological restriction and the hypocrisy of social institutions.

• Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley:

  • Ozymandias' phrase "Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!" displays his arrogance.
  • The statue's decay and the surrounding desolation highlight the impermanence of power, contrasting human ambition with inevitable deterioration.
  • The image used in the poem emphasizes the transient nature of power and the theme of human arrogance countered by time's process.

This quiz explores key poems from the Power and Conflict anthology, including 'Kamikaze', 'Tissue', and 'Storm on the Island'. Each poem is analyzed for its thematic depth, use of imagery, and the exploration of human emotions amidst conflict. Participants will enhance their understanding of the complex interplay between human experiences and the environment as portrayed in these poetic works.