The poem “Prologue” by Don Paterson was published in 1997 in his book “God’s Gift to Women”. Hence, the poem can be classified to the postmodernism, which “is characterized by the self-conscious use of earlier styles and conventions” (Oxford Dictionary, np). The theme of this collection’s opening poem is poetry itself and the importance of the lyric persona.
The poem can be roughly divided into an introduction (verse one to eight), a main part (verse nine to 18) and an end (verse 19 to 20). In the introduction the lyric persona rebukes the lyric thou in its behaviour. The main part is a foreshadowing of the upcoming poems of this collection. The poem ends with a demand for praying.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Main Part
- End
Objectives and Key Themes
The primary objective of Don Paterson's poem "Prologue" is to establish the context and tone for the poems that follow in his collection "God's Gift to Women." It serves as a prologue, introducing the reader to the author's voice, the key themes explored, and the overarching literary landscape of the collection.
- The Importance of Poetry and Lyric Persona
- Metaphor and Imagery as Key Rhetorical Devices
- The Significance of Language and its Elevated Use
- The Role of the Reader and their Interpretation
- The Interplay between Poetry and Religious Imagery
Chapter Summaries
The poem "Prologue" can be divided into three sections: an introduction (verses 1-8), a main part (verses 9-18), and an end (verses 19-20).
The introduction sees the lyric persona, presented as an "I," rebuking the addressed "thou" for their behavior, establishing the authoritative nature of the voice. This section is characterized by a fast rhythm and a series of imperatives that define the rules of conduct. The lyric persona emphasizes the significance of poetry as a spiritual connection and a means of expressing the author's presence. It ends with a demand to "raise the fucking tone" (verse 8), hinting at the unapologetically honest and potentially challenging nature of the poems to come.
The main part of the poem transitions into a sermon-like speech, using metaphors to elevate the importance of poetry. The lyric persona compares the collection of poems to the Bible and emphasizes the superiority of poetry as a literary form. The use of the "berry-bus" metaphor connects the poems to a specific journey, both geographical and internal, through the lyric persona's thoughts and fears.
The final section of the poem continues to employ metaphors, referencing the church and highlighting the importance of understanding the poems' meaning. The poem ends with a demand for prayer, signifying the start of the reading experience and emphasizing the personal and reflective nature of the poems within the collection.
Keywords
The central themes and concepts explored in "Prologue" revolve around poetry as a spiritual and literary force. The poem utilizes metaphors, imagery, and religious references to convey the significance of language, the authority of the lyric persona, and the reader's engagement with the text. Key keywords include: lyric persona, poetry, metaphor, imagery, religious imagery, interpretation, language, authority, and reader.
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- Jenny Ommeln (Autor), 2013, Interpretation of the poem "Prologue" by Don Paterson, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/268829
