AS Poetry- By close analysis of poetic methods used by both poets, and drawing upon relevant external biographical information, compare and contrast how the poets write about self-discovery.
This is an A Level English Literature essay comparing the theme of self-discovery in “For Once, Then So...
AS Poetry- By close analysis of poetic methods used by both poets, and
drawing upon relevant external biographical information, compare and
contrast how the poets write about self-discovery.
Frost explores the concept of self discovery in “For Once, Then
Something“, as does Heaney in “Personal Helicon“. However, this is achieved
in conflicting ways, and the titles display differing motivations for achieving
self-discovery. For example, Frost uses deliberately vague language within a
triplet to amplify the sense of the unknown and the need for discovery.
Contrastingly, Heaney employs an allusion to Mount Heliconome to the muses
of Greek mythology. In this way, Heaney implies to the reader that
self-discovery is vital for creativity. This marks the beginning of the poets’
contrasting opinions, with Frost seeing focus on the self as a barrier, whilst
Heaney explains that self-reflection enables creative liberty.
Frost uses poetic structure to highlight the struggle of enlightenment to
the reader. The employment of a conceit represents Frost’s strive for
discovery, and his subsequent loss of clarity. The poem contains only fifteen
lines, and its condensed structure portrays a quick-paced moment of
discovery to the reader.
Opposingly, Heaney employs five quatrains in order to represent
different segments of his life to the reader. Therefore, he portrays
self-discovery as an ongoing process to the reader, which continues
throughout life. Heaney heightens this sense through the use of enjambement,
which creates a flow of thought throughout, representing a deeper internal
search for the reader.
Frost opens with a criticism of self-reflection in “Other taunt me…
Always wrong to the light, so never seeing / Deeper down.” The opening
trochée emphasises the external criticism of others to the reader. This
signifies how Frost’s poetry was insulted and deemed predictable by his
critics,especially as he tried to forge the new American voice. This influenced
Frost’s decision to portray self-discovery as a negative pursuit, as he began to
doubt his choice to focus on his own experiences in his poetry. The metaphor
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