Henry Wardsworth Longfellow's famous poem "A Psalm of Life" - Summary and Message.

👉Introduction : "A Psalm of Life"  is a lyric poem written by the famous American poet  Henry Wardsworth  Longfellow. The name itself suggests that it has some religious touch and so it is a religious lyric. 'Psalm' is a sacred song or poem used in worship. Here the matter of worshiping is not devoted to any deity or God, it is the worshiping of life. This poem may be said a sort of  'Invocation' to mankind to realize the true meaning of life and to follow the path of righteousness that would make a life meaningful, not 'an empty dream'.

Optimism is at every line of this poem.

 Summary- Stanza 1 :            

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

   Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

   And things are not what they seem.

👉 The poet H.W.Longfellow requests one not to tell him in mournful verses or sorrowful  term that life of human being is nothing but an empty dream or a meaningless journey. He rejects such an idea and says that the persons who slumber or are in sleeplike state are dead, obviously the owner of dead soul.He also confirms that the things of this world can not be defined and meant according to their notion. Things of this world are still unrecognized to them as they are  dead soul. 

 Summary- Stanza 2 :

Life is real! Life is earnest!

   And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

   Was not spoken of the soul.

  👉 Life of human being created by God has a definite purpose. It is called 'real' by the poet, that means life is 'meaningful'. It is our duty to make our life meaningful. Life is called 'earnest' the meaning of  which is 'sincere'. We have to do everything sincerely  whatever we should do to achieve our 'goal' which is not, with  the least doubt, the 'grave'. Life ends in death, this is destiny, but this can not be the destination of our life.We know that we are made of 'dust', after death our body would turn to dust, but it is not applicable to our soul, because the body is perishable, the soul is not. 

 Summary- Stanza 3 :

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

   Is our destined end or way;

But to act, that each to-morrow

   Find us farther than to-day.

 👉 What should be the right and perfect way of living / It is neither 'enjoyment' nor the 'sorrow'. One should not be indulged in excessive enjoyment, not be submersed in the depth of sorrow. Our duty is to act joyfully as assigned to us by God.Acting wisely and properly should be our enjoyment. We must be careful of and mindful to our action so that we can grow each day by slow degree and each tomorrow would bring our further development.

 Summary- Stanza 4 :

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

   And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

   Funeral marches to the grave.

👉 Our life is an art , every deed or our life is a part of art and we have to perform it with utmost perfection. The deed or work assigned to us is vast and time-taking .At the same time the work of perfection or the art is long and ever-lasting. On the other hand, the time given us by god that is our life span is very short for performing so many good works. So the poet says that the time is fleeting. We are the owner of strong and brave heart, but we can not stop the heart beats and make our life long. The heart is going on beating like a 'muffled drum' and ends in  our funeral march for taking us to our graves. Taking it to the mind we have to utilize every moment, with courage, for good work.   

 Summary- Stanza 5 :

In the world’s broad field of battle,

   In the bivouac of Life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

   Be a hero in the strife!

👉 The world is compared to a vast battlefield and our life to a temporary camp for the soldiers (bivouac).We are the soldiers to fight the battle of the life bravely within the given stipulated period of time.Human beings are not like the cattle to be driven to any direction  by others. Human life must have a mission, a defined aim to achieve. Our duty is to combat and overcome all trouble and strife on the way of achieving our goal and wear the crown of the hero.

 Summary- Stanza 6 :

Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!

   Let the dead Past bury its dead!

Act,— act in the living Present!

   Heart within, and God o’erhead!

👉 One should not trust the future though it seems pleasant. The action and result of future are not in our hands, these lacks certitude.The incidents of the past, good or bad, are dead and we should forget them to avoid the pull of the past.The wise decision is to live with the present.One should act with enthusiasm in heart and God,s presence in mind.

 Summary- Stanza 7 :

Lives of great men all remind us

   We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

   Footprints on the sands of time;

👉 The lives of the great men are the prominent example of the noble purpose of our lives. Through their noble and selfless deeds they have made their lives sublime. They are a sort of education as they remind us that everyone can make  his/her life noble and sublime , can scale many a steps  to achieve the greatest height. Death is our destiny and when we would die we must leave some prominent footprints on the 'sands of time.' 

 Summary- Stanza 8 :

Footprints, that perhaps another,

   Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

   Seeing, shall take heart again.

👉 Life of human being is like a vast sea (solemn main ). We sail on this sea to make the life meaningful.The footprints left by us in this world shines like bright pole star. A forlorn brother who,losing all morale and strength of mind, is running a frustrated life will find some ray of hopes in  footprints left by some noble soul before. The noble deeds must inspire the broken mind to pull courage and strength in his/her heart.

 Summary- Stanza 9 :

Let us, then, be up and doing,

   With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

   Learn to labor and to wait.

👉 Life of man is not meant to wait and see. It is full of activities. Our heart must always be charged with full energy and courage so that it can confront any situation and can brook any fate. One should not think about the consequence of the action and activities, should not recoil for any imaginary impediment. Our duty is to pursue and achieve our goal. If we learn to labour ,we must not be doubtful of the result. Patient waiting after hard labour brings about prestigious rewards  in life.

Rhetoric or Figure of Speech - The ornamentation of speech.

👉Introduction :

 Ornamentation and  beautification are the essential aspects of art. Speaking is an art and naturally ornamentation as well as  beautification has something to do in this field. A  speech can not be decorated by flowers or colour. Some figures are used for this purpose and these are called 'figure of speech'.

If we take notice intently, we would find that every human being applies his/her own style in expressing himself/herself.To express oneself effectively, impressively and beautifully  is an inherent quality of a man/woman. So a bit of rhetoric is latent in human beings. Literally,rhetoric means the art of orator.(The term rhetoric comes from the Greek word 'rhetor' that means a public speaker.)

The persuasive public speaking needs some 'figures of speech' which appeal in the mind of the listeners. These 'figures of speech' can easily enhance the effect of one's language. Quite interestingly, the term 'figure' comes from the Latin term 'figura' meaning the 'external form or shape of a thing'. It is like the rich external ornamental dress but not embellished externally in the speech ,it mingles in the language. However, 'figures of speech' makes a language remarkable and different from the other. To quote Prof. Bain," A figure of speech is a deviation from the plain and ordinary way of speaking for the sake of greater effect" 

👉Types of  'figures of speech' :

In English literature we find a great many varieties of  'figures of speech'  which are based on different levels and elements - some are based on Similarity, some on Contrast, some on Association, Imagination, Indirectness, sound and so on.  :

(1) Figures based on Similarity       :  * Simile * Metaphor * Allegory * Parable * Fable 

(2) Figures based on  Association    :  * Metonymy  * Synecdoche  * Hypallage  * Allusion

(3) Figures based on Difference       :  * Antithesis  * Epigram  * Climax  * Anti-climax

(4)  Figures based on Imagination    : * Personification * Apostrophe * Hyperbole 

(5)  Figures based on Indirectness    : * Innuendo * Irony * Periphrasis * Euphemism 

(6)  Figures based on Sound             : * Pun * Onomatopoeia * Alliteration * Assonance 

(7)  Figures based on Construction   : * Interrogation * Exclamation * Chiasmus * Zeugma

👉 Simile  (Figure based on Similarity ) 

 " The child looks like a flower "                          

  This is an example of  Simile.

  Simile is the explicit statement of similarity existing between two different things.

  In the given example the two different things are the 'child' and the 'flower'. Beauty is the point of similarity which is clearly stated here. So this is an  example of  Simile.

👉 Metaphor (Figure based on Similarity)

"The camel is the ship of desert."

This is an example of  Metaphor.

Metaphor is a figure of speech in which an implicit comparison existing between two different things is hinted only, not clearly stated.

In the given example the two different things are the 'camel' and the 'ship'. The point of comparison is that the camel is the main  means of transportation in desert, as the ship in the sea. The comparison is implied/hinted only, not clearly stated. So this is an example of Metaphor.

👉 Antithesis ( Figure based on Difference )

" United we stand, divided we fall "

This is an example of Antithesis.

Antithesis is a figure of speech in which two contrasted words or ideas are placed together in a balanced form for the sake of emphasis.

In the given example the two contrasted ideas, the effect of  'union' and that of 'division' are placed together in a balanced form to secure more emphasis. So, this is an example of Antithesis. 

👉 Epigram ( Figure based on Difference )

"Failure is the pillar of success"

This is an example of Epigram.

Epigram is a figure of speech in which we find a contradiction in the apparent meaning that causes a temporary shock but an underlying significance is revealed if we think deeply.

In the given example the apparent meaning is contradictory and shocking. It is right that a failure person finds his/her faults, corrects them, tries hard and ultimately bigger success comes. This is the deeper meaning underneath. So, this an example of Epigram. 

👉 Oxymoron (Figure based on Difference)

"Life is bitter sweet."

This is an example of Oxymoron.

Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory words or ideas are placed side by side to enhance the effect of speech.

In the given example the contradictory words are 'bitter' and 'sweet'. The words are juxtaposed (paced side by side) and it makes the meaning of life more effective. So, this an example of Oxymoron. So, this an example of Oxymoron. 

👉 Climax (Figure based on Difference) 

" We will hear him, we will follow him, we will die with him." 

This is an example of Climax.

Climax is a figure of speech in which the words or ideas are arranged in an ascending order of importance or impressiveness.

In the given example the idea or action of 'hearing', 'following' and 'dying'  are arranged in an ascending order of importance or impressiveness. So this an example of Climax.

👉Anti-climax / Bathos (Figure based on Difference)

" She lost her husband, her children and her handkerchief." 

This is an example of  Anti-climax.

 Anti-climax is a figure of speech in which we find a sudden fall from the lofty  to the mean idea or thought in order to excite laughter.

In the given example the  sudden fall is from the words of intimate relationship 'husband' and 'children' to the unimportant word 'handkerchief. So, this an example of Anti-climax. 

👉 Metonymy ( Figure based on  Association)

"I have read Milton."

This is an example of Metonymy.

Metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one thing is substituted for that of another and these two things remain loosely associated.

In the given example Milton means the writings of Milton. One thing (Milton) is substituted for that of another (work of Milton) and the association between these two things is loose. So, this is an example of Metonymy.

👉 Synecdoche  ( Figure based on  Association)

" Five hundred hands work in this factory."

This is an example of Synecdoche

 Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which the name of one thing is substituted for that of another and these two things remain closely associated.

In the given example the word 'hands' is used for 'workers'. One thing (hands) is substituted for that of another (workers) and the association between these two things is very close. So, this is an example of Synecdoche.

👉Hypallage / Transferred Epithet ( Figure based on  Association)

"The bellman's drowsy charm."

This is an example of  Hypallage / Transferred Epithet.

Hypallage / Transferred Epithet is a figure of speech in which an adjective of epithet  is transferred or shifted from the proper subject to another word with which the subject is associated in any way.

In the given example the adjective 'drowsy' is transferred from the proper subject 'bellman' to another word 'charm' with which the subject is associated. 

👉 Allusion ( Figure based on  Association)

 " Now we clap / Our hands, and cry, 'Eureka', it is clear.

This is an example of Allusion

Allusion  is a figure of speech in which we find some word or expression that recalls some well-known  or notable saying, writing, event or character of the past.

In the given example the word 'Eureka' reminds us the name of the great scientist and philosopher Archimedes who exclaimed with the word 'Eureka'. So, this is an example of Allusion.

👉 Personification (Figure based on Imagination)

" Proud be the rose, with rains and dews."

This is an example of  Personification.

Personification is a figure of speech in which nature or an inanimate object or an abstract idea is invested with the attribute of a living being.

In the given example the rose, an object of nature, is invested with the attribute of a living being with the help of the word 'proud'. The rose is made to behave like a human being. So, this is an example of Personification.

👉 Apostrophe (Figure based on Imagination)

 " Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean, roll."

This is an example of  Apostrophe.

Apostrophe  is a figure of speech in which a short impassioned address is made to an absent or dead person or to an element of nature or to an inanimate object or to an abstract idea.

In the given example an impassioned address is made to the ocean which is a part of nature. So, this is an example of Apostrophe .

👉 Pathetic Fallacy (Figure based on Imagination)

" The river sighed  at the sorrow of the girl."

This is an example of  Pathetic Fallacy.

 Pathetic Fallacy is a figure of speech in which nature is represented as showing interest in the human matter or action, by sympathy or antipathy.

In the given example the river, a part of nature, is sighing for the sorrow of the girl. Nature shows interest in the human matter. So, this is an example of  Pathetic Fallacy.

👉 Hyperbole (Figure based on Imagination)

" I saw their chief tall as a rock of ice ; "

This is an example of Hyperbole.

Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which an exaggerated statement is made to present thing/s more or less than the real state.

In the given example the 'chief'  is compared with the tall rock of ice. It is really the over-colouring the matter or an exaggeration. So, this is an example of Hyperbole. 

👉 Irony (Figure based on Indirectness)

" He is delighted in the friendly act of insulting me."

This is an example of Irony.

Irony is a figure of speech in which the meaning of the sentence is very opposite or contrary of what is intended to be expressed and the purpose is to hurt someone.

In the given example the word 'friendly' is used to mean rudeness and enmity, the very opposite of its literal meaning. So,this is an example of Irony.

👉 Euphemism (Figure based on Indirectness)

" Alas ! he breathed his last on Sunday."

This is an example of Euphemism.

Euphemism is a figure of speech in which a harsh and disagreeable statement is softened and expressed in a pleasing and polite manner.

In the given example "he breathed his last" means ' he died'. Naturally, a harsh and disagreeable statement is softened and expressed in a  polite manner. So, this is an example of  Euphemism.

👉 Periphrasis / Circumlocution (Figure based on Indirectness)

"Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines."

This is an example of Periphrasis / Circumlocution.

Periphrasis / Circumlocution is a figure of speech in which a thing or idea is expressed in a roundabout way in stead of saying it directly.

In the given example "eye of heaven' means the 'Sun'. It is expressed in a roundabout way in stead of saying it directly. So this is an example of Periphrasis / Circumlocution. 

👉 Pun / Paronomasia (Figure based on Sound )

"When a woman loses her husband, she pines for a second."

This is an example of Pun / Paronomasia.

Pun / Paronomasia is a figure of speech in which we find a duplicity of sense under the unity of sound and it provokes laughter.

In the given example the expression  ' a second' bears two meaning :one is 'for a brief time' and the other meaning is 'for a second husband'. We fine the duplicity of sense under the unity of sound. So,this is an example of Pun / Paronomasia.

👉 Onomatopoeia (Figure based on Sound )

" The gathering swallows witter in the skies".

This is an example of Onomatopoeia.

Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which the sound of words is made to reflect their sense or echos the sense.

In the given example the sound of  the word 'twitter'  echoes its sense, the  chirping of the birds. So, this is an example of Onomatopoeia.

👉 Alliteration (Figure based on Sound )

"He bravely broached his boiling bloody breast."

This is an example of Alliteration . 

Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the same letter, sound or syllable is repeated at the beginning of successive or nearly successive words.

In the given example the same letter 'b' is repeated at the beginning of successive and nearly successive words 'bravely', 'broached', 'boiling', 'bloody' and 'breast.' So,this is an example of Alliteration . 

👉 Interrogation ( Figure based on Construction)

" Who is here so base that would be a bondman." 

This is an example of Interrogation . 

Interrogation  is a figure of speech in which a question is asked and a strong affirmation, often that of contrary, is implied in the very form of the question.

In the given example a question is asked, but the very form of the question implies a negative answer  that nobody likes to be a bondman. The answer is given in the question. So this is an example of  Interrogation.

👉 Hyperbaton / Inversion (Figure based on Construction)

"Much have I travelled in the realms of gold."

This is an example of  Hyperbaton / Inversion .

Hyperbaton / Inversion  is a figure of speech in which the grammatical order of the words in a sentence is inverted to secure emphasis. 

In the given example the grammatical order of the words  is inverted.The original order should have been  'I have travelled  much in the realms of gold. So, This is an example of  Hyperbaton / Inversion .

👉 Exclamation ( Figure based on Construction)

" But Alas ! Caesar must bleed for it."

This is an example of Exclamation.

Exclamation  is a figure of speech in which an expression of emotion, desire or contemplation is made generally introducing an interjection or the words such as how, what, etc.

In the given example  the speaker's emotion, a deep concern, is expressed with the help of the interjection 'alas'. So, This is an example  of Exclamation.

👉  Chiasmus ( Figure based on Construction)

" Beauty is Truth, Truth is Beauty "

This is an example of Chiasmus.

Chiasmus is a figure of speech  which  consists in an inversion of  the order of words or phrases when repeated in a sentence with a view to capturing emphasis or impressiveness.

In the given example the words 'beauty' and 'truth' are artistically inversed and the meaning  of the sentence become more impressive. So, This is an example  of Chiasmus.

 👉 Zeugma ( Figure based on Construction)

" The moment and the vessel passed "

This is an example of Zeugma . 

Zeugma is a figure of speech in which a single word (verb) stands in the same grammatical relationship to two or more other words but with an obvious shift  in its meaning.

In the given example the verb'passed' is related to two words 'moment' and 'vessel'. Separate verb should be supplied for these two words.  So, This is an example  of Zeugma.

"The Second Coming" of W.B. Yeats - Summery and theme of the poem.

The Second Coming

     William  butler  yeats

Turning and turning in the widening gyre   

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere   

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst   

Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;

Surely the Second Coming is at hand.   

The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out   

When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi

Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert   

A shape with lion body and the head of a man,   

A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,   

Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it   

Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.   

The darkness drops again; but now I know   

That twenty centuries of stony sleep

Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,   

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,   

Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

Introduction :

W.B.Yeats was born on 13th June, 1865 in Dublin, now capital of Ireland.From his childhood he experienced the atmosphere of both the urban and rural areas as he lived with his grandparents and uncle at Sligo ( a seaside area ), a typical Irish rural world  and with his father in London, the center of colonial Britain. Yeats may be considered as the greatest Irish writer - a poet, a dramatist, folklorist, anthropologist and theatre-manager. Though he was a versatile writer, he is remembered mostly for his celebrated poems in numerous volume/numbers.This poem "The Second Coming" is a famous poem in both historical and religious point of view.

Summary: A falcon is flying in a circular/spiral form in the sky and it flies in such a height and extent that it can not hear the commands of its master    (falconer)   and goes beyond the control. Things of this world have lost the integrity and the center or the controlling point can not maintain the balance. Only anarchy goes rampant everywhere on this earth resulting blood-tide through cruelty and devastation. The activities of the innocent people get no recognition, naturally drowned. The best people of the world lack all their conviction for the present chaotic situation and the worst ones are full of passion and enthusiasm for bringing about the heinous effects.

        The poet hopes that some revelation is impending, and at the very next moment he is sure of the second coming  of God. The poet visualizes that a vast image is coming out of the 'spirit of the world' (Spiritus Mundi). It troubles the sight of the poet. A vast image with lion body and the head of a man (a sphinx)

   is revealed  somewhere in the sands of the desert. Its gaze is wide (blank) and pitiless like the scorching sun. The sphinx is moving slowly(slow thigh) . All the desert birds of that area become indignant and flying above this rough beast, their shadows bearing the proof of it.Darkness covers the whole atmosphere. The poet thinks that the twenty centuries of stony sleep of the sphinx is disturbed in a nightmarish situation for the rocking of the cradle on which the beast had been in deep sleep. The question of the poet is whether this brutish rough  creature is slowly moving towards Bethlehem with an intention to be born for the second time at the appropriate hour.