'The World Is Too Much with Us' and 'If We Must Die'
Please read “ The Man He Killed” by Thomas Hardy; “Fire and Ice” and “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost; “How Things Work” by Gary Soto; “The World is Too Much With Us” by William Wordsworth; “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay; “Evolution” by Sherman Alexie; “Ballad of Birmingham” by Dudley Randall; “La Migra” by Pat Mora; “Hope” by Ariel Dorfman; “The Colonel” by Carolyn Forche; “We Real Cool” and “What Shall I Give My Children” by Gwendolyn Brooks; and “Harlem” by Langston Hughes. Choose two of the poems to analyze. In your responses, consider each poem’s voice, examine the imagery, consider each poem’s use of symbols, and identify each poem’s theme(s). Also, note whether or not the poems you chose have similar themes. Please use direct quotes from the text to show significant support of your ideas. Post your responses in the Political Poetry thread.
“The World Is Too Much with Us” by William Wordsworth and “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay
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This paper analyzes the voice, imagery, symbols, and themes of the two poems. Wordsworth complains that people have failed to appreciate the greatness of the world (56). People are obsessed with money and time. They always need to amass stuff and, therefore, see nothing important in nature. Wordsworth advices people to appreciate nature and its activities in the world. The theme of the poem concerns about the relationship between human beings and the natural world. Wordsworth is concerned about the relationship of human life with nature. The fact that human beings are not moved by essence of the natural world means that the earth is at risk to be ruined by human activities. The world has become too huge for people to handle.
The voice of the poem is depressed and warns against people’s tendency of destroying nature. Wordsworth is depressed and mourns over the destruction of nature in the earth (79). Symbol analysis of this poem is concerned with nature. Human consumerism has become callous and uncaring. Symbolism used in the poem shows Wordsworth’s deep feelings and conviction. Wordsworth uses imagery to create his poem sounds vivid. For example, he cons...