A New Anthology of English Verse

(Compiled by Irfan Raza & Dedicated to my beloved father & Nauman Athar)

Poem 01: “Leisure” by “William Davies”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Leisure” written by “William H. Davies”.

Context:

This poem is an elegy of the plight of modern man. Today, the modern man has no spare time to
enjoy the beauty of nature. He is always engaged in worldly affairs and pursuits. Even animals like
cows, sheep and squirrels have spare time to stand and stare under the trees. But sarcastically,
modern man has no spare time to think about the purpose of his creation. On the whole the poem
has strong appeal to man for coming back to nature.

Explanation:

Here in these lines, the poet in a conversational and contemplative tone is saying that once man had
time to enjoy the beauty of nature and he was happier. But for the man of today, nature has lost all its
beauty. He laments that our lot is full of misery. He tells that

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Connotatively speaking, the poet encourages modern man to put aside his worries for a while and to
take a break. He should abandon his meaningless material pursuits, and establish a firm contact with
nature to lead a diverse life.
“Nature has a healing power; relish its company to understand it.”

Poem 02: “Tartary” by “Walter John De La Mare”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Tartary” written by “Walter J. Mare”.

Context:

This poem is a descriptive picture of an imaginary kingdom of Tartary. The poet imagines himself the
king of that state and wants to enjoy all the delights of life. He would have a throne of pure gold.
Beautiful pets would roam about to please him. Musicians would play on instruments at the time of
his meals. His rich land would be full of honey, fruits, beautiful gardens and attractive valleys. In fact,
he wants to be the ruler of Tartary with supreme power and authority. All the animals, lakes, hills and
valleys will be under his royal control.
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Explanation:

Water De la Mare is a pure poet who is known as the poet of images and impressions. He always aims
at providing imaginative pleasures to his readers instead of teaching them some moral or social
lesson. Like all romantic poets, he escapes into an idea and longed for a perfect world. He says that,

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Because,

“The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.”

The poet exaggerates his imagination to materialize his wishes.

The poet actually seeks distraction and relief from unpleasant realities and craves for a life in which
everything is perfect. Metaphorically, he seems to be criticizing the behaviour of modern man who
has no spare time to enjoy all these natural beauties and scenes with his naked eyes. So the man of
today wants to enjoy all these natural beauties and scenes with the help of his imagination.

Poem 03: “New Year Resolutions” by “Elizabeth Sewell”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “New Year Resolutions” written by “Elizabeth Sewell”.

Context:

“New Year Resolutions” is a very thought-provoking poem. The poetess pens her resolutions which
she makes before the dawn of the new year. Normally, people wine their throats to lose
consciousness in order to escape reality. But, Elizabeth resolves to be quite to purify her conscience
and live reality with contention. The poem tells us that we must take stock of our good and weak
points throughout the year and try to mend our weaknesses by self-examination. It is our
accountability by our own conscience which corrects our life.

Explanation:

In a moralistic tone, the speaker of the poem vows never to be sinful in the future. Elizabeth Sewell,
who is well renowned for her crisp, lucid and pedagogical way of writing, talks about her extra-
ordinary resolution which she makes on the eve of New Year. She aims at leading a better life with
clear mind and pure soul.

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Since,

“Who knows his soul knows his Lord” ,

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the poetess resolves to know herself. In a didactic manner, the poetess is provoking the thoughts of
those who lead their lives without aims. She seems to criticize lazy individuals who do not want to
face the reality of their life. Unrealistic attitude of life creates a lot of troubles in our life. Although
reality is bitter, ugly and painful, we should accept it and learn to live with it.

Poem 04: “Woman Work” by “Maya Angelou”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Woman Work” written by “Maya Angelou.”

Context:

In general, the poem is an escape from the drudgery (Hard monotonous routine work) of the mechanical
routine and taking shelter in ideal life. The poem has two parts. In the first part of the poem, the
poetess feels extremely tired after doing her domestic chores. She works from early in the morning till
night. She is fed up with her dull life. In the second part of the poem, she feels that only nature can
provide comfort and healthy influence to her. Only natural phenomena can save her from the
drudgery of routine life.

Explanation:

Here Maya Angelou depicts the typical routine life of a woman who performs her daily chores
effectively and then yearns for a fantastic break amidst the elements of nature to give her strength
and comfort. Basically she presents a picture of an American woman which can be applied to every
woman worldwide. She tells us about the sacrifices made by a housewife. she leads a tiresome and
monotonous life for her family. The poetess enumerates daily routines of a housewife to prove her
case.

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Connotatively, Maya Angelou gives the message that women are living beings. They are made of flesh
and blood. They need companionship in doing all their jobs. Men should not treat their women like
machines and robots. The point is we ought not only to share the burden of women but also learn to
respect their work as a full time job.

“Being a housewife and a mother is the biggest job in the world.”

Poem 05: “The Rebel” by “Dennis Joseph Enright”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “The Rebel” written by “Dennis Joseph Enright.”

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Context:

In this simple but humorous and satirical poem, D.J. Enright, has drawn the picture of a rebel. The
rebels are those members of society who always act against popular opinion and common behaviour.
Their actions are motivated by a strong urge to look different from others. However, society must
accept such rebels for change and a greater good of society. The poem is an interesting and harmless
criticism on the behaviour of young rebellious persons. Their ambitions and whims have been
beautifully expressed in the simple and undecorated language of this poem.

Explanation:

Here the poet tells us about a pseudo rebel and his anti-social behaviour. He tells us about his attitude
and his revolt against society. It is indeed a mockery. The poet expresses that such people are against
everything. They are against conventions and creeds. In fact they are fed up with the monotonous
society. So they try to introduce some changes through their attitude and appearance.

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Connotation:

The rebel is a troubled individual. His deviations from the normal are indicative of his mental
approach towards life and society. However, these rebels somehow become a source of change and
may actually set the course of centuries to come.

“You can best serve civilization by being against what usually passes for it.”

Poem 06: “Patriot into Traitor” by “Robert Browning”

Reference:

These lines have been taken from the poem “Patriot into Traitor” written by “Robert Browning.”

Context:

The poem, in a dramatic monologue of a political leader, talks about a contemporary political scene
with all its chaos and treasons. The poem tells us that change of government through power and
coups is common in third world countries. A political leader who was considered a here yesterday has
now been labeled as a traitor and is being taken to gallows due to uncertain political order. He was
honoured and cheered only a year ago by the same people. That much feeble and uncertain the life
is! Now condemned by the people, he hopefully waits for the judgment of God to redeem him.

Explanation:

In these lines the poet gives the picture of a political leader who is soliloquizing about his present and
being nostalgic about his past. The poet talks about a leader whose destiny has been changed

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dramatically. He has become a traitor instead of a patriot in the eyes of his own people. His people
gave him a ceremonial welcome only a year ago. (But now his condition has been changed.)

____________________________________Paraphrasing____________________________________

The poet tells that people are extremists in their love and hatred. They may change their opinion
about the most cherished hero without any reason. They may forget the deeds he has done for them
spontaneously.

“Politics have no relation to morals.”

The tone of the poet is mournful, serious and remorseful. The use of the first person pronoun (I)
shows the subjectivity of the poem.

Poem 07: “The Huntsman” by “Edward Lowbury”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “The Huntsman” written by “Edward Lowbury.”

Context:

"The Huntsman" is a moralizing poem which is based on African folklore. It tells that some-times a
hunter becomes hunted himself. Kagwa went hunting and found a talking skull. He came to the king
and informed him to the fact. The king ordered to know the reality. When it was found not so, Kagwa
was killed. Strange enough it was that after his murder the skull spoke. The story tells us that
irresponsible talking can bring destruction. The elements of suspense and irony create a shocking
impact.

Explanation:

In these lines, Edward Lowbury, talks about an unwise hunter who fails to comprehend the
importance of small signs. Kagwa, who appears to the readers as a brave person for hunting down the
lions, ironically turns out to be a naïve individual. His story becomes tragic.

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Connotation:

Connotatively speaking, in his simple and harmless use of diction, Edward gives a moral lesson which
is repeated twice in the poem. It is fate’s inevitable justice to punish the talkative who talk more than
needed. The general atmosphere is gloomy and fearful. The message here is that one should be very
careful when talking to others and especially to men of authority.

“Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage.” (P. Syrus)

Poem 08: “One Art” by “Elizabeth Bishop”

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Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “One Art” written by “Elizabeth Bishop.”

Context:

This poem focuses upon one of the eternal truths of our world that nothing is eternal. The "art" that
Elizabeth Bishop mentions in the title is in fact "the art of losing". This poem reminds readers that we
lose things all the time in our everyday lives. No matter how much we love something, it will not be
around forever. The poem asks us to develop an art of enduring the fluster of losing things. We lose
door keys, we lose watches, we lose homes, we lose our roots and finally, we lose our loved ones.
Elizabeth Bishop is saying that since there are so many disappointments in life, we need to develop a
talent for being disappointed, or our life will overwhelm us.

Explanation:

In these lines the poetess says that people are capable of loving so many things. We get attached to
everything, from our childhood homes to favorite items of clothing to other people. We invest
emotion all over the place, and when these things get lost, it hurts.

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Connotation:

Metaphorically speaking, the poetess says one must be contented and thankful to God Almighty in all
circumstances. We are always striving either for one thing or the other we often fail to achieve in life.
Such failures hurt us and cast gloom over us. The poetess wishes to communicate that life is yet
another name of continuous decay and losing; therefore, the best plan is to resign before fate. This
would earn contentment in return.

“Don’t grieve. Anything that you lose comes round in another form.” (Moulana Rumi)

Poem 09: “The Solitary Reaper” by “William Wordsworth”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “The Solitary Reaper” written by “William Wordsworth.”

Context:

William Wordsworth, on a walking tour of the Scottish Highlands, comes across a highland girl who is
singing and reaping alone in a valley. He verses his feelings of regret and fascination. He watches her
with serious curiosity and intrigue. He loves the song but can't understand any of it. However, the
poignant (moving/emotional) words of the song are sad and sorrowful enough to make us curious. He
watches the lass enraptured. Ultimately, he quietly walks away, keeping the woman's music in his
heart for a long time after.

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Explanation:

In these lines the poet gives us a little snapshot of rural Scotland and whisks us away to the beautiful,
scenic highlands of Scotland. The speaker is out walking around and happens upon a Scottish lady
tending to her crops and singing. It is also chilly up there.

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Connotation:

Connotatively through these lines, the poet has presented the “Solitary Reaper” as a part of nature. In
Wordsworth’s words,

“She was a Phantom of delight.”

The sad song she is singing thrills the poet and awakens in his mind the romantic associations.
Wordsworth has made an ordinary girl extraordinary through the great power of imagination. The
common experience of life is artistically versified here. The artistic merit of the verses, reference to
the theme, language, rhyming and metaphor make the whole poem a thing of beauty.

Poem 10: “All the World’s a Stage” by “Shakespeare”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “All the World’s a Stage” written by “William
Shakespeare”.

Context:

“All the World’s a Stage” is the poem taken from William Shakespeare’s play entitled “As You like
It.”

This poem compares the world to one giant stage. The poet states about how all the men and women
are merely actors in this production and that they all have their entrances and exits (life and death.)
He goes on to describe the stages of life from the first months of life, to childhood, to the teenage
years, to early adulthood, to old age. Shakespeare uses a melancholy man to compare the world to a
stage and life to a play.

, and catalogues the seven stages of a man's life, sometimes referred to as the seven ages of man:
infant, schoolboy, lover, soldier, justice, pantaloon, and second childhood. It is the most frequently-
quoted phrases, because it has a deep meaning of life.

Explanation:

Here, through these words, he masterfully talks about his study of human nature which is
comprehensive and striking. He has studied human life quite objectively. "All the World's a Stage" is,
in fact, a phrase that begins a monologue spoken by Jacques in "As You Like It" Act 2, scene 7, line
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139. When Jaques says "all the world's a stage," he draws our attention to the theatricality of day-to-
day living and he also reduces human life to an acting role, which is a pretty cynical thing to do.

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Connotation:

Analytically speaking, Shakespeare is just being a dramatist here and wants to render a message that
nothing in this world is permanent. Here he basically uses metaphor to talk about life and the cycle of
life. He makes ground to mention as to how one starts out helpless, without understanding and ends
the same way.

Life is a cycle you go from being weak to, being strong and back to being weak again. (Anonymous)

Poem 11: “Departure and Arrival” by “T.S. Eliot”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Departure and Arrival” written by “T.S. Eliot”.

Context:

T.S. Eliot wrote this poem at the advent of 20 th century discussing the fears of mankind when he is
going to enter a new century. He says that entering a new century is just like standing on the shore of
a sea about which there is no information coupled with fear of anonymous problems. Yet, his idealism
and optimism encourage him to voyage through the new century which is coming with new gifts and
capabilities. He advises them to work harder than their ancestors to make the world a better place for
the coming generations. Man should leave a better world before his departure to the next world.

Explanation:

T.S. Eliot talks about a serious message here. In his view, if we work selflessly and sincerely for the
progress and betterment of humanity, we can leave gushing tracks for the coming generations. In
idealistic approach, T.S. Eliot wants to reaffirm our faith in man. No doubt, he admits that man has
made numerous mistakes in the past. But the poet still believes that "we" can "wipe out" "misery",
pain and sorrow from the scene of the world.

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Connotation:

The message is clear and loud that nations and individuals must work beyond personal gains. It does
not matter who holds the "flag" but it does matter that it must be kept high so that it reaches the final
destination. The poet also clarifies that the journey to prosperity is neither short nor easy; it does take
a lifetime to do something good and see it prosper.

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 “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting
to improve the world.” (Anne Frank)

Poem 12: “A Poison Tree” by “William Blake”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “A Poison Tree” written by “William Blake”.

Context:

"A Poison Tree" is a poem about anger, and, more importantly, some of the destructive
consequences that can result when we cultivate our anger. According to the poet, unexpressed wrath
gets nurtured with fears and negative feelings about the ‘foe' and which brings wiles and deceptions
into play. The suppression of anger leads to the cultivation of anger. Burying anger, rather than
exposing it, turns anger into a seed that will germinate. Through the cultivation of that seed, which is
nourished by the energy of the angry person, wrath grows into a mighty and destructive force.

Explanation:

In these lines the poet talks about a negative aspect of human nature. Human beings, along with the
ability to reason and question, possess the capacity to hate, and yet also to forgive. Unfortunately,
forgiving someone is not always as easy as holding a grudge against them and this lack of control over
one’s actions is inherent to human nature. Here, William Blake critically discusses these two opposing
forces, uncovering the inherent weakness in humans, and the effects of these innate flaws.

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Connotation:

The poet suggests the hidden meaning quite clearly. If anger is suppressed and kept secret for a long
time, it gives birth to poisonous tree. Hatred is not a passion to be desired by any one. It is hatred
which breeds hatred in turn. The poet’s enemy was the victim of hatred. The enemy too hated the
poet. This mutual hatred resulted into the destruction of the poet’s enemy.

“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored
than to anything on which it is poured.” (Mark Twain)

Poem 13: “Because I could not stop for Death”

By “Emily Dickinson”
Reference:

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These lines have been taken from the poem “Because I could not stop for death” written by “Emily
Dickinson”.

Context:

This poem compels us to serenely embrace the end force which will certainly be felt by all living
creatures. Dickinson creates a portrait of death which is not fearful or brutal, but rather one of calm
and comfort. She talks about mortality and immortality, and paints a picture of her death day that
doesn't seem too far from the ordinary. She isn't scared of death at all, and seems to accept it.
Because there is life after death, which offers an explanation as to why Emily is so calm about
everything. Death's not the end, just one step closer to eternity.

Explanation:

The poetess contemplates an idea that deals with death, its approach, funeral and eternal life. The
poetess has presented death as a very kind and civil coachman . Here the speaker is communicating
from beyond the grave, describing her journey with Death, personified, from life to afterlife.

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Connotation:

Dickinson’s imagery and effective use of the basic elements of poetry has produced death with several
different meanings. Her conception of death and how she portrays it in “Because” exposes the
reader’s mind to a variety of ideas about death. Surely, after reading these lines, the reader could
never view death in a singular way again. Poetry at its best leaves the reader with new ideas about
death.

“You only live twice. Once when you are born and once when you look
death in the face.” (Ian Fleming)

Poem 14: “Lights out” by “Edward Thomas”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Lights Out” written by “Edward Thomas”.

Context:

“The poem is about sleep or perhaps about death. The poet says that sleep is like an
unfathomable deep forest where all must lose their way because "they cannot chose". Sleep cannot
be postponed whether it is day or night. Nobody can deceive it. He declares sleep such a jungle where
"love", "despair", "ambition", "all pleasure" and "all trouble" end. This is such a moment in which
man, unwillingly, diverts from the dearest book or most beloved face. The fact is that sleep is strange
valley about which we know nothing. Prone to melancholy and depression, Thomas wrote within this

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poem about two things. One was sleep and the other was death, both counting in European terms as
“lights out”.

Explanation:

The poet uses the notion of sleep and meditation and views sleep as a soothing and blissful thing. It
has a dominating power over all human interests and activities. No man can with-stand its lure. Sleep
symbolizes our exertion and tired behaviour and it is also a symbol of death. Sleep puts an end to all
our powers, efforts, desires, hope, aspirations, love, friendship etc.

“Sleep, that deplorable curtailment of the joy of life.” (Virginia Woolf)

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Connotation:

The similarity that exists between death and sleep can be defined in a single word called
"strangeness". Death is unknown while sleep is also unknown; we know nothing of them except a
shadow and an illusion. Several poems in our syllabus like Emily Dickenson's "Because I Could Not
Stop for Death" and Robert Frost's “After Apple Picking” discuss the aspects of death and similarity of
sleep as a peaceful process of moving towards either death or sleep.

Poem 15: “After Apple Picking” by “Robert Frost”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “After Apple Picking” written by “Robert Frost”.

Context:

On the simplest narrative level, “After Apple-Picking” describes how, after a long day’s work, the
speaker is tired of apple picking. He has felt drowsy and dreamy since the morning when he looked
through a sheet of ice lifted from the surface of a water trough. Now he feels tired, feels sleep coming
on, but wonders whether it is a normal, end-of-the-day sleep or something deeper. However, on a
deeper level, it presents us (1) love for the beauty of nature, (2) healing influence of nature, (3)
speculation of death, (4) accomplishment and relishing of success, (5) fatigue and life itself.

Explanation:

These lines are a typical case depicting the rural and agrarian scenes from a poet that loves painting
nature. Here, the setting is in a village where an apple picker is plucking fruits after he has a great
harvest. He is standing in an orchard. There is greenery all around. It fascinates. There is reddish, rose
like colour of apples appealing our senses

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 ---------------------------------------------- Paraphrasing of the verses -------------------------------------------

Connotation:

Here, Robert Frost has cleverly disguised many symbols to enhance the meaning of accomplishment
and success. Sometimes it becomes very difficult to decide whether success would be in
accomplishment or in letting the things go because our poor apple picker would love to relish each
fruit in hand. He does not want any fruit to "drop" outside the "cellar bin". But he eventually
surrenders for the peace of mind and body to sleep or perhaps to death. It is difficult to decide which
one is success on that given occasion; to be influenced by nature or to stay overtired in excitement?
“Illusion is the first of all pleasures.” (Voltaire)

Poem 16: “The Vanishing Village” by “R.S. Thomas”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “The Vanishing Village” written by “R.S. Thomas”.

Context:

The vanishing village is an elegy (A mournful poem; a lament for the dead) . This poem portraits an image of
modern villages which are diminishing and nearing a catastrophic (Extremely harmful; bringing physical or
financial ruin) end due to the neglect of the modern man. The poet presents a gloomy picture of a village
which is a victim of neglect and desertion by its inhabitants. Life has come to a standstill. But it has
not lost meaning altogether. There is an undercurrent of vitality and dynamism beneath the
apparently hopeless cover of sloth and stagnation. The poet yearns for a revival of the colourful life
and activity of the ideal Greek village after the vision of Plato.

Explanation:

According to Marshall McLuhan, this world is turning fast into a 'Global Village' without villages. The
unabated large-scale migration towards cities goes on worldwide. Here, the poet-priest Thomas
mourns over this state and paints a dark and disappointing picture of village life. It seems to be a
haunted village.

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Connotation:

The poet metaphorically says that the craze of modernization is depriving men of the true beauty and
the villages of their real life. The tone of the poet is quite nostalgic, wistful and witty. The 'frozen' life
of the village is reflected in the slow and tardy rhythm of the lines.

“I am somewhere in the middle of a village with all the modern

amenities. There's something missing; Life? I reckon....” (M. R. Saarloos)

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 Poem 17: “When I have Fears” by “John Keats”
Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “When I have fears” written by “John Keats”.

Context:

"When I Have Fears" is a very personal confession of an emotion that intruded itself into the fabric of
Keats' existence. Keats says that when he experiences feelings of fear (1) that he may die before he has
written the volumes of poetry that he is convinced he is capable of writing, (2) that he may never write
a long metrical romance, fragments of which float through his mind, and (3) that he may never again
see a certain woman and so never experience the raptures of passionate love — then he feels that he
is alone in the world and that love and fame are worthless.

Explanation:

John Keats is considered one of the greatest romantic poets. He died at a very young age of 26. He
wanted to be a great poet. In this poem he expresses his fear that he "may cease to be" before he
attains his desires. He contemplates about the things he wants in life, namely; success, fame, and
love. Is that too much to ask? Well, as it turns out, Keats is pretty sure that it is. These lines chart both
the speaker's desires and his despair.

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Connotation:

The poet is anxious about the shortage of time. And this shortage of time is supported by the
repetition of "when" at the beginning of each quatrain. Reflecting upon his feelings, Keats achieves
some separation from his own feelings and ordinary life which enables him to reach a resolution. He
thinks about the human solitariness and human insignificance. He says that the existence of his fears
annihilates both his fame and love which are so important in his poetry and in his life.

“To him who is in fear everything rustles.” (Sophocles)

Poem 18 : “Kubla Khan” by “S.T. Coleridge”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Kubla Khan” written by “S.T. Coleridge”.

Context:

It is challenging to come up with a single theme for this poem which is a result of opium-vision. Yet,
Nature's Beauty and its Violence coupled with their effects on human consciousness are described
here in an enchanted and aesthetic piece of imagination. The narrator talks about the beauty of the
land and the Alph River that flows through Kubla Khan’s land (Xanadu). The speaker describes the
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contrasting composition of Xanadu. While there are gardens blossoming with “incense-bearing trees”
and “sunny spots of greenery,” across the “deep romantic chasm” in Xanadu there are “caverns
measureless to man” and a fountain from which “huge fragments vaulted like rebounding hail.”

Explanation:

A recurring motif throughout Coleridge’s poetry is the power of dreams and of the imagination, such
as in “Frost at Midnight,” “Dejection: An Ode,” and “Christabel.” Yet, perhaps the most fantastical
world created by Coleridge lies in “Kubla Khan. In these lines the poet depicts a very romantic scene
at Kubla Khan's wonderland, Xanadu.

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Connotation:

The interaction between man and nature is a major thing for Coleridge. It's painted all over "Kubla
Khan," as we go from the dome to the river, and then from the gardens to the sea. Sometimes he's
focused on human characters, sometimes on natural forces. In fact, it's difficult to get away from this
theme in this poem. Think of this tension as a tug-of war between humans and their temporary
constructions (buildings) and the seeming permanence of nature.

“Nature uses human imagination to lift her work of creation to even higher levels.”
(Luigi Pirandello)

Poem 19: “Hawks Monologue” by “Ted Hughes”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Hawk’s Monologue” written by “Ted Hughes”.

Context:

On its literal level of meaning, the poem is an expression of a bird of prey, the hawk, which is sitting
on a tree and meditating about its power of destruction, its ability to suppress change, and its
conceited arrogance and superiority. But, since there is a clear projection of human attributes to the
bird, we can easily see that the poem is an implicit satire on a tyrant that the bird represents. The last
line of the poem ‘I am going to keep things like this’ shows rigidity and inflexibility, opposing change,
the only constant in nature as in human affairs.

Explanation:

Here, the poet has expressed his views about human nature and human life indirectly by describing
the nature, activities and thoughts of a hawk. The all powerful often forget that their power may
become the cause of their downfall. The poem is written in the form of a monologue.

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Connotation:

Here the poet makes way to express about the delusions of a power drunk. His imperious and
arrogant posture goes unchallenged. He thinks like all-powerful often forget that in their unlimited
power lie the seeds of death and destruction. The over-powering megalomania leaves them no
chance to retreat and accept the realities of life.

Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. (L. Acton)

Poem 20: “Say This City Has Ten Million Souls” by

“W.H. Auden”
Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Say This City Has Ten Million Souls” written by “W.H.
Auden”.

Context:

This poem is about the international problem of refugees. It is an outcome of political difference or
religious and racial discrimination. It is a very meaningful poem having pensive and ironic settings. The
author seems to be lamenting the refugees. In this poem the poet gives a picture of America where
class distinction exists completely. There are people who live in lofty and high buildings and there are
other people who live in holes. But there is no room for those who come to this country from other
countries for protection and shelter.

Explanation:

Auden speaks through a hypothetical speaker, a German Jew who is talking to some other Jew.
German Jews says that some souls present in the city have the luxury of living but the German
refugees do not. The poet gives a satirical picture of political and religious discrimination that exists in
American society.

---------------------------------------------- Paraphrasing of the verses --------------------------------------------------

Connotation:

The poet describes the pathetic condition of the outsiders to a country. In his view, such immigrants
lead a life below animal level. The point of the poem is that man is imprisoned in a thousand shackles
of race, nationality and passports. Human life falls beneath the animal level .

Poem 21: “Politics” by “W.B. Yeats”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Politics” written by “W.B. Yeats”.

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Context:

This poem is about the views that politics is less important than youth and love. There is a speaker
who refuses to give more importance to politics than a young girl and longs to be young again. He
knowingly ignores the current affairs, a politician and threats of wars over love. The poet refuses to
accept that people can be defined as political animals, despite the famous quote of Thomas Mann,
“In our time the destiny of man presents its meanings in political terms” in the epigraph. In the poem,
there are many opposites that appear to challenge each other: age and youth, intellect and emotion,
and male and female.

Explanation:

Thomas Mann, a refugee from Hitler's Germany, praised Yeats for his work but also said “In our time,
the destiny of man presents its meaning in political terms”. Here, Yeats responds and suggests that
public events are not as important as love.

---------------------------------------------- Paraphrasing of the verses --------------------------------------------------

Connotation:

The idea is that romantic desire and attraction take precedence in the heart and perhaps mind over
political or social thought. We would rather cherish this desire than legislate. On deeper level, Yeats
confesses that he is a dreamer . He is aware of the reality of world politics, but it is of no personal
importance to him. He longs for the delights of female beauty.

“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it

incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.” (Groucho Marx)

Poem 22: “Snake” by “D.H. Lawrence”

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Snake” written by “D.H. Lawrence”.

Context:

On a simpler level, a Lawrence-like speaker encounters a snake at “his” water trough. Rapt by nearly
hypnotic fascination, he allows the snake to drink, without taking action. Soliloquizing like Hamlet, the
speaker wonders whether he is a coward not to kill the snake, because in Sicily the gold snakes are
venomous. The snake continues to drink to his fill and leaves. At this point, the speaker throws a log at
the water trough yet fails to hit the snake. Immediately, he regrets his “pettiness” and wishes that the
snake would come back, for it seemed to be like a king. The speaker has missed his chance with “one
of the lords of life.”

On the narrative level, the poet is perplexed because he cannot fathom why he listens to his
education with such vehemence that he over-throws his fascination. He curses his human-education
and regrets over his maltreating of his guest.

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Explanation:

Here in these lines, as in many of the poems in the collection “Birds, Beasts, and Flowers (1923)”,
Lawrence explores the otherness of the creature world, defined chiefly by its purity and innocence in
contrast to the corrupt human nature and its complexities. The poet talks about the frightening
experience of confronting a snake and the conflict of his mind. The poet personifies a ‘snake’ as a
king-like guest with a certain charm.

---------------------------------------- Paraphrasing of the verses ---------------------------------------------

Connotation:

The poet actually, through the talk of atoning for sins, leads the readers to understand that earth is
not meant for humans only. Other creatures deserve to dwell on this planet too. We should treat all
creatures as living souls and give them the respect they deserve.

“For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.” (Carl Sagan)

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