Task: Identify, analyze and discuss the treatment of two of the following themes (one from List A and one from List B) in poetry written in English in the British Isles since 1945. You should quote from two poems on each theme (a total of four different poems).
List A: Love, Loss, Death, Friendship, Loneliness/ Alienation
List B: Society, Politics, Nature/ Environment, Art, Language
Contents:
1. A comparison of the themes of ‘Death’ and ‘Loneliness’ in “Not Waving but Drowning” by Stevie Smith, and in “Warning” by Jenny Joseph
2. A comparison of the theme of ‘Society’ in “Poor Soul, Poor Girl!: A Debutante” by Stevie Smith, and in “This be the Verse” by Philip Larkin
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- A comparison of the themes of ‘Death' and ‘Loneliness' in “Not Waving but Drowning\" by Stevie Smith, and in “Warning” by Jenny Joseph
- A comparison of the theme of 'Society' in \"Poor Soul, Poor Girl!: A Debutante\" by Stevie Smith, and in “This be the Verse\" by Philip Larkin
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work examines the themes of death and loneliness in poetry written in English in the British Isles since 1945. The author explores these themes in two poems by Stevie Smith, "Not Waving but Drowning" and "Poor Soul, Poor Girl!: A Debutante," as well as in "Warning" by Jenny Joseph and "This be the Verse" by Philip Larkin.- The portrayal of death and the experience of dying
- The nature of loneliness and isolation
- Social commentary on the roles of women and societal pressures
- The influence of family and generational cycles on personal lives
- The use of stylistic devices and poetic form to convey themes
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
A comparison of the themes of ‘Death' and ‘Loneliness' in “Not Waving but Drowning\" by Stevie Smith, and in “Warning” by Jenny Joseph
This chapter examines the themes of death and loneliness in two poems. "Not Waving but Drowning" by Stevie Smith uses everyday language to depict the tragic death of a man at sea, highlighting his isolation and the misunderstanding of those around him. "Warning" by Jenny Joseph presents a lighter, more humorous perspective on aging and death through the voice of a woman embracing her future as an old woman.A comparison of the theme of 'Society' in \"Poor Soul, Poor Girl!: A Debutante\" by Stevie Smith, and in “This be Verse\" by Philip Larkin
This chapter analyzes the theme of society in two poems. "Poor Soul, Poor Girl!: A Debutante" by Stevie Smith explores the pressures faced by a young debutante, highlighting her sense of isolation and longing for escape. "This be Verse" by Philip Larkin takes a critical perspective on familial relationships and societal expectations, warning against the perpetuation of misery through childbirth.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary focus of this work is on exploring the themes of death, loneliness, and society in contemporary British poetry. Key terms and concepts explored include: poetic form, stylistic devices, narrative voice, social commentary, generational cycles, and familial relationships.Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main themes in Stevie Smith's "Not Waving but Drowning"?
The poem primarily explores themes of death and loneliness, highlighting the tragic misunderstanding and isolation of a man whose cries for help were mistaken for waving.
How does Jenny Joseph's "Warning" treat the theme of aging?
It takes a humorous and rebellious approach to aging, where the speaker looks forward to the freedom of being an old woman who can ignore societal expectations.
What is the social commentary in Philip Larkin's "This be the Verse"?
Larkin offers a cynical view of family and society, suggesting that parents inevitably pass on their misery to their children, creating a cycle of generational suffering.
How is the theme of 'Society' portrayed in Stevie Smith's "Poor Soul, Poor Girl!"?
The poem critiques the rigid social roles and pressures faced by young debutantes, emphasizing their sense of alienation and the desire for escape from societal norms.
What poetic devices are used to convey loneliness in these poems?
The poets use narrative voice, everyday language, and specific metaphors (like the cold water in Smith's poem) to illustrate the emotional distance between individuals.
- Quote paper
- Katja Buthut (Author), 2006, Death, Loneliness and Society. A comparison of poems by Stevie Smith and Jenny Joseph, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/134716
