The Simple Things

"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud", by William Wordsworth, is a very light poem that appears to bring joy to many. There are many theories on why this poem is well renowned, but personally I think it is the simple message that it leaves us that makes it so appealing. It is a poem about finding happiness in nature, but I see it as a poem about finding happiness in the simple things in life. Nature is one of the simple things that many take for granted, but when truly observed it has a great potential to lift our moods. Whether nature is the simple thing in our lives that we need to observe or there is something else, this poem reminds the reader that it is these simple things that have the potential to bring us great joy.

The Use of Cortez

In "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer", by John Keats, Cortez is credited with the discovery of the Pacific Ocean when it was truthfully Balboa. There are many theories as to why Keats did this. I believe he knew exactly what he was doing. Throughout the poem Keats begins to make a sublime realization about Homer's epics through Chapman's translation. The poem begins by referencing "realms of gold". I believe Keats makes later mention of Cortez so the reader can make the connection of Cortez and the earlier reference to gold. This causes the reader to look back at the beginning of the poem where Keats believes to have a well advanced knowledge of literature, and allows the reader to understand the sublimity of Chapman's Homer to Keats.

Death as a Person

While reading "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson, it was apparent to me that she had taken the idea of death and personified it. Yes, humans have personified death before, but more as a grim reaper than anything. Rather that death being the reaper that we never hope to see, Dickinson made him seem like the neighbor that would watch over pets and water plants while you were on vacation. In fact, she even uses the term "civility" to describe him. This is a unique idea that isn't often seen. Actually, I've only seen the personification of death in this nature in the book The Book Thief. Personally, I find it a very compelling way to look at something that everyone will have to deal with at one time or another. It raises the question of whether we will not be ready when it is our time or if we too will take a peaceful carriage ride with death when he comes.