ASSIGNMENT

Course Title: Modern Poetry

Couse Code: 9068
Submitted To: Honorable Muhammad Owais Ayaz Sahib.

Submitted by: Arshad Ullah

Registration No.: 0000507564
Assignment No.: 02
Q.1 How does Robert Frost depict the natural world in poems like
"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' and 'The Road Not Taken?
Also discuss his poetic reflections on human experiences emerging from
his observations of nature.
Robert Frost's poetry is renowned for its vivid and nuanced depiction of
the natural world. Poems like "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"
and "The Road Not Taken" showcase Frost's ability to observe and
reflect on the natural world, using it as a metaphor for human
experiences.

Depiction of the Natural World

In "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," Frost depicts the natural
world as a serene and peaceful place. The poem's speaker stops to
admire the snow-covered woods, taking a moment to appreciate the
beauty of nature. The poem's use of imagery and symbolism creates a
vivid picture of the natural world, drawing the reader into the scene.

In "The Road Not Taken," Frost depicts the natural world as a place of
choice and possibility. The poem's speaker stands at a fork in the road,
contemplating which path to take. The poem's use of the road as a
metaphor for life's choices creates a powerful and relatable image.

Poetic Reflections on Human Experiences

Frost's poetic reflections on human experiences emerging from his
observations of nature are a key element of his poetry. In "Stopping by
Woods on a Snowy Evening," Frost reflects on the human experience of
mortality and the passing of time. The poem's speaker is drawn to the
woods, but knows that he cannot stay, as he has "promises to keep" and
"miles to go before I sleep."

In "The Road Not Taken," Frost reflects on the human experience of

choice and regret. The poem's speaker chooses one path over another,
but acknowledges that he will never know what would have happened if
he had chosen differently. The poem's use of the road as a metaphor for
life's choices creates a powerful and relatable image.

Use of Imagery and Symbolism

Frost's use of imagery and symbolism is a key element of his poetry. In
"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," Frost uses the image of the
snow-covered woods to create a vivid picture of the natural world. The
woods are also symbolic of the unknown, and the speaker's desire to
explore them reflects his desire to explore the unknown.

In "The Road Not Taken," Frost uses the image of the road to create a
powerful and relatable metaphor for life's choices. The road is also
symbolic of the journey of life, and the speaker's choice of which path to
take reflects his choice of which path to take in life.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Frost's poetry is renowned for its vivid and
nuanced depiction of the natural world. Poems like "Stopping by Woods
on a Snowy Evening" and "The Road Not Taken" showcase Frost's ability
to observe and reflect on the natural world, using it as a metaphor for
human experiences. Frost's use of imagery and symbolism creates a
vivid picture of the natural world, drawing the reader into the scene. His
poetic reflections on human experiences emerging from his observations
of nature are a key element of his poetry, creating a powerful and
relatable image.

Q.2 W.H. Auden's poetry often engages with social and political issues
of his time. Discuss in detail by providing suitable poetic evidence from
his works.
W.H. Auden's poetry is known for its engagement with social and political issues of his time.
Auden was a prominent poet of the 20th century, and his work reflects his concerns with the
major issues of his era, including fascism, communism, and the rise of totalitarianism.

Engagement with Fascism

Auden's poetry often engages with the threat of fascism, which was a major concern during the
1930s. In his poem "Spain" (1937), Auden writes about the Spanish Civil War and the rise of
fascism in Europe. The poem is a powerful critique of fascism and its effects on society.

Engagement with Communism

Auden's poetry also engages with communism, which was another major ideological force
during the 20th century. In his poem "A Communist to Others" (1933), Auden explores the
tensions between individual freedom and collective action. The poem reflects Auden's own
ambivalence towards communism and his concerns about its potential impact on individual
liberty.
Engagement with Totalitarianism

Auden's poetry often engages with the threat of totalitarianism, which was a major concern
during the mid-20th century. In his poem "The Unknown Citizen" (1939), Auden writes about
the dehumanizing effects of totalitarianism on individual citizens. The poem is a powerful
critique of the ways in which totalitarian regimes can erode individual freedom and autonomy.

Poetic Evidence

Auden's poetry provides powerful evidence of his engagement with social and political issues.
His use of imagery, metaphor, and symbolism creates vivid and memorable pictures of the social
and political landscape of his time.

In "Spain," for example, Auden uses imagery and metaphor to describe the devastating effects
of fascism on Spanish society:

"Yesterday the installation of dynamos and turbines,

The construction of railways in the colonial desert;

Yesterday the classic lecture

On the origin of Mankind."

In "A Communist to Others," Auden uses symbolism and metaphor to explore the tensions
between individual freedom and collective action:

"We are left alone with our day,

And the time is short, and

History to the defeated

May say Alas but cannot help or pardon."

In "The Unknown Citizen," Auden uses irony and satire to critique the dehumanizing effects of
totalitarianism:

"He served the Greater Community.

And his Health-card shows he was once

In hospital but left it cured."

Conclusion

In conclusion, W.H. Auden's poetry engages deeply with the social and political issues of his
time. His poetry provides powerful evidence of his concerns with fascism, communism, and
totalitarianism, and his use of imagery, metaphor, and symbolism creates vivid and memorable
pictures of the social and political landscape of his era. Auden's poetry remains a powerful and
thought-provoking commentary on the major issues of the 20th century.

Q. 03: How does William Butler Yeats use symbols and mythological references
to explore the theme of Irish national identity in the poems like "The Second
Coming' and 'Easter 1916'?

William Butler Yeats's poetry is renowned for its use of symbols and mythological
references to explore the theme of Irish national identity. In poems like "The
Second Coming" and "Easter 1916," Yeats employs a rich tapestry of symbols and
mythological references to explore the complexities of Irish identity and the
struggle for national independence.

Use of Symbols in "The Second Coming"

In "The Second Coming," Yeats uses symbols to explore the theme of chaos and
disorder in the wake of World War I. The poem's central image, the "gyre" or
spiral, is a symbol of the cyclical nature of history, where civilizations rise and fall
in an endless cycle of birth, growth, and decay.

The poem's famous opening lines, "Turning and turning in the widening gyre / The
falcon cannot hear the falconer," symbolize the breakdown of social and cultural
norms in the face of chaos and disorder. The falcon, a symbol of power and
control, is unable to hear the falconer, symbolizing the collapse of authority and
the rise of anarchy.

Use of Mythological References in "Easter 1916"

In "Easter 1916," Yeats uses mythological references to explore the theme of Irish
national identity and the struggle for independence. The poem's central image,
the "terrible beauty" of the Easter Rising, is a reference to the mythological idea
of the phoenix, which rises from the ashes of destruction.

The poem's use of mythological references also draws on Irish mythology,

particularly the legend of Cúchulainn, the great hero of Irish mythology. Yeats's
reference to Cúchulainn in the poem symbolizes the idea of heroic sacrifice and
the struggle for national independence.

Exploration of Irish National Identity

Both "The Second Coming" and "Easter 1916" explore the theme of Irish national
identity, albeit in different ways. "The Second Coming" explores the idea of chaos
and disorder in the wake of World War I, and the impact this has on Irish national
identity.
"Easter 1916," on the other hand, explores the idea of heroic sacrifice and the
struggle for national independence. The poem's use of mythological references
and symbols creates a powerful and enduring image of Irish national identity, one
that is rooted in the idea of heroic sacrifice and the struggle for freedom.

Conclusion

In conclusion, William Butler Yeats's use of symbols and mythological references in

poems like "The Second Coming" and "Easter 1916" is a powerful exploration of
the theme of Irish national identity. Yeats's use of symbols and mythological
references creates a rich tapestry of meaning, one that draws on Irish mythology
and the idea of heroic sacrifice.

Both poems are enduring masterpieces of modernist poetry, and their exploration
of Irish national identity continues to resonate with readers today. Yeats's use of
symbols and mythological references is a testament to the power of poetry to
explore and express the complexities of national identity.

Q.4 How does Rudyard Kipling address themes of imperialism and colonialism in
his poetry? Cite suitable poetic evidence to support your arguments.

Rudyard Kipling's poetry is known for its exploration of themes related to imperialism and
colonialism. As a British poet who spent much of his life in India, Kipling's work often grapples
with the complexities of colonialism and the relationships between colonizers and colonized.

Imperialism and Colonialism in Kipling's Poetry

One of Kipling's most famous poems, "The White Man's Burden" (1899), is often seen as a
justification of imperialism and colonialism. The poem argues that it is the duty of white men to
civilize and educate non-white peoples, and that this burden is a noble and necessary one.

However, other poems by Kipling offer a more nuanced view of colonialism. In "Gunga Din"
(1890), for example, Kipling portrays a Indian bhisti (water-carrier) who serves in the British
Army and is ultimately killed in battle. The poem is a tribute to the bravery and loyalty of Indian
soldiers who fought on behalf of the British Empire

Poetic Evidence
In "The White Man's Burden," Kipling writes:

"Take up the White Man's burden—

Send forth the best ye breed—

Go bind your sons to exile

To serve your captives' need;

To wait in heavy harness,

On fluttered folk and wild—

Your new-caught, sullen peoples,

Half-devil and half-child."

This poem has been criticized for its patronizing and racist attitudes towards non-white peoples.
However, it is also possible to read the poem as a commentary on the complexities and
challenges of colonialism.
In contrast, "Gunga Din" offers a more nuanced view of colonialism. The poem's speaker, a
British soldier, is deeply grateful to Gunga Din, who has risked his life to bring him water in the
midst of battle:

"Though I've belted you and flayed you,

By the livin' Gawd that made you,

You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din."

This poem suggests that the relationships between colonizers and colonized are complex and
multifaceted, and that there are moments of genuine connection and respect between people
from different cultures.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Rudyard Kipling's poetry offers a complex and nuanced exploration of themes
related to imperialism and colonialism. While some of his poems, such as "The White Man's
Burden," have been criticized for their racist and patronizing attitudes, others, such as "Gunga
Din," offer a more nuanced view of colonialism and the relationships between colonizers and
colonized.

Ultimately, Kipling's poetry suggests that the experiences of colonialism are complex and
multifaceted, and that they cannot be reduced to simple or simplistic interpretations.

Q.5 Critically analyze stylistic and thematic features of any of your

favourite poems included in your course.

For this analysis, I have chosen one of my favorite poems, "Do Not Go
Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas. This poem is a powerful
and emotional villanelle that explores the themes of mortality,
resistance, and the will to live.

Stylistic Features
One of the most striking stylistic features of this poem is its use of the
villanelle form. The villanelle is a poem with 19 lines, and follows a
specific pattern of repetition. The poem repeats the first and third lines
throughout the poem, in a specific pattern. This creates a sense of
urgency and intensity, and emphasizes the central message of the
poem.

The poem also uses a range of literary devices, including metaphor,

simile, and personification. For example, the line "Old age should burn
and rave at close of day" uses metaphor to compare old age to a fire
that burns and raves. This creates a powerful and vivid image, and
emphasizes the idea that old age should be a time of passion and
energy, rather than quiet resignation.

Thematic Features
The central theme of this poem is the will to live, and the importance of
resisting the inevitability of death. The poem urges the reader to "rage,
rage against the dying of the light", and to fight against the forces of
mortality.
The poem also explores the theme of mortality, and the way that it
affects us all. The line "And you, my father, there on that sad height"
creates a sense of personal connection and intimacy, and emphasizes
the idea that mortality is a universal experience that affects us all.

Emotional Resonance
One of the most striking features of this poem is its emotional
resonance. The poem is a deeply personal and emotional expression of
the poet's feelings about mortality and the will to live. The use of
repetition, metaphor, and other literary devices creates a sense of
urgency and intensity, and emphasizes the central message of the
poem.

The poem also has a strong emotional resonance because of its use of
personal and familial imagery. The line "And you, my father, there on
that sad height" creates a sense of personal connection and intimacy,
and emphasizes the idea that mortality is a universal experience that
affects us all.

Conclusion
In conclusion, "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" is a powerful
and emotional poem that explores the themes of mortality, resistance,
and the will to live. The poem's use of the villanelle form, metaphor,
simile, and personification creates a sense of urgency and intensity, and
emphasizes the central message of the poem.
The poem's emotional resonance is also a key feature of its success. The
use of personal and familial imagery creates a sense of intimacy and
connection, and emphasizes the idea that mortality is a universal
experience that affects us all. Overall, this poem is a masterpiece of
modern poetry, and its themes and imagery continue to resonate with
readers today.