Decay in Nature - Seen from Two Different Points of View

Term Paper , 2006 , 10 Pages , Grade: 1,7

American Studies - Literature

Decay in nature can be seen from different points of view. On the one hand, to decay just means to die or more literally to rot. This is not a pleasant process, but a process that cannot be stopped and must take place according to the natural way of life/the laws of nature. On the other hand, decay does not only have this negative connotation because to decay in nature also means that something new is developing out of the dead material. Only when something, like an apple for example, dies, a new generation of apples can arise.
These two different points of view are shown in the poems “’Tis the Last Rose of Summer” by Thomas Moore (1779-1852) and “On Observing a Large Red-streak Apple” by Philip Freneau (1752-1832).

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Decay in Nature Seen from Two Different Points of View
• “Tis the Last Rose of Summer” by Thomas Moore
• The Singleness of the Last Rose
• The Perspective of the Lyrical I
• The Sorrow of the Lyrical I
• “On Observing a Large Red-streak Apple” by Philip Freneau
• A Hardy Variety of Apples
• The Apple as a Symbol of Life and Death
• The Last Apple on the Tree

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

The essay aims to analyze the theme of decay in nature by comparing two poems: "Tis the Last Rose of Summer" by Thomas Moore and "On Observing a Large Red-streak Apple" by Philip Freneau. The essay examines how these poets present the decay of nature from different points of view, exploring both the negative and positive aspects of this process.

• The concept of decay in nature
• The contrasting perspectives on decay in the two poems
• The use of imagery and stylistic devices to convey the themes of decay and death
• The role of personification and metaphor in the poems
• The contrasting moods and atmospheres of the two poems

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The first chapter focuses on Thomas Moore's "Tis the Last Rose of Summer," examining how the poem portrays the last rose of summer as a symbol of beauty and fleeting time. The chapter explores the use of imagery, personification, and stylistic devices to evoke a sense of melancholy and loss.

The second chapter analyzes Philip Freneau's "On Observing a Large Red-streak Apple," examining how the poem portrays the single remaining apple on a tree as a symbol of life and resilience. The chapter discusses how Freneau uses imagery and personification to present a more positive perspective on decay in nature.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This essay focuses on the themes of decay in nature, death, beauty, life, personification, imagery, stylistic devices, melancholy, and resilience. The analysis compares the contrasting perspectives of Thomas Moore and Philip Freneau on the natural process of decay.

• College: University of Paderborn (Anglistik und Amerikanistik)
• Course: American Poetry from the Puritans to the Revolution
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Kathrin Ehlen (Author)
• Publication Year: 2006
• Pages: 10
• Catalog Number: V173793
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640942442
• ISBN (Book): 9783640942350
• Language: English
• Tags: decay, nature, seen, different, points, view