hayabusaboston
Well-Known Member
the question was "Choose one of donnes poems and analyse the way in which context, ideas and values are explored in the poem"
I chose "The apparition"
This poem explores the emotions of a jilted lover, rejected for someone who, in the eyes of the writer, is obviously inferior. Although many poems have been written about rejection, most of them end with the lover pleading with the loved to accept him again. However, in John Donne’s “The Apparition”, that idea is being flipped on its head- by the end he is not pleading to be welcomed back into the arms of his beloved, but is in fact gloating - she made a bad decision, and now she has to live with it!
The special thing about “The Apparition” which is different to most of Donne’s other poems, is that it doesn’t use any extended metaphors known as conceits. This has the effect of producing a more raw and realistic context, one which can readily be appreciated by the contemporary reader. Unlike other Donne poems, which mix emotion with rational thought, this is a rush of almost pure emotion. The ideas of romance it explores are part of a universal framework which all humans can experience themselves and relate to, thus the poem strikes more deeply into the moral compass of the modern reader. The context of writing is not delineated from the 21st century, as moral values and response carry forth through time as inherent facets of the human condition. The supreme realism in “The Apparition” also blurs the very definition of Donne’s religious context with the modern one,
Donne’s use of direct address further enhances his connection with the reader, giving the reader an unprecedented position in the emotional lattice of the poem, right in the centre of the action. Donne presents his poem through the reader himself, and thus the reader is able to more deeply appreciate the context of Donne as he is forced into it for himself by Donne’s skilful manipulation of direct address as a poetic device.
Over the course of the poem the tension is built up steadily, but there is a dramatic change in the last four lines, where the tension is held but the poem becomes reflective rather than vituperative[aggressive and cursing].
Donne also employs the use of imagery in the poem. An example of this is “feigned vestal…”” which is a reference to feigned virginity, representing the selfish and uncouth behaviour of his lover towards him and for her new man. This in turn promotes ideas in the readers mind of romantic unfaithfulness, directly related to Donne’s intention in the construction of the poem. This also brings up the question of the prominence of unfaithfulness in Donne’s time, further enhancing the connection between connubial contexts of the 17th century vs the 21st century.
Overall the poem also comprises heavy melodrama, which is evident in lines such as “when by thy scorn, o’ murdress, I am dead”. This gives the poem a heavy weighting, that bears upon the values and morals associated with reprieval. Donne also clearly demonstrates the inadequacy of her new lover, both sexually and emotionally: Will... think thou call'st for more, and in false sleepe will from thee shrinke..." Not only is the lover too tired for any more, but he is unwilling to listen to her problems. This is a universal notion amongst men, who often have a lack of enthusiasm towards the problems of women. Another line describes, A veryer ghost than I - ie, she will finally understand how he feels, to be rejected in such a way.
Thus donne’s poem “The Apparition” can be seen to be comprised of a variety of ideas and values which underpin a universal framework of communication amongst the sexes, which is applicable not only in the context of 17th century England but also the 21st century world.
I chose "The apparition"
This poem explores the emotions of a jilted lover, rejected for someone who, in the eyes of the writer, is obviously inferior. Although many poems have been written about rejection, most of them end with the lover pleading with the loved to accept him again. However, in John Donne’s “The Apparition”, that idea is being flipped on its head- by the end he is not pleading to be welcomed back into the arms of his beloved, but is in fact gloating - she made a bad decision, and now she has to live with it!
The special thing about “The Apparition” which is different to most of Donne’s other poems, is that it doesn’t use any extended metaphors known as conceits. This has the effect of producing a more raw and realistic context, one which can readily be appreciated by the contemporary reader. Unlike other Donne poems, which mix emotion with rational thought, this is a rush of almost pure emotion. The ideas of romance it explores are part of a universal framework which all humans can experience themselves and relate to, thus the poem strikes more deeply into the moral compass of the modern reader. The context of writing is not delineated from the 21st century, as moral values and response carry forth through time as inherent facets of the human condition. The supreme realism in “The Apparition” also blurs the very definition of Donne’s religious context with the modern one,
Donne’s use of direct address further enhances his connection with the reader, giving the reader an unprecedented position in the emotional lattice of the poem, right in the centre of the action. Donne presents his poem through the reader himself, and thus the reader is able to more deeply appreciate the context of Donne as he is forced into it for himself by Donne’s skilful manipulation of direct address as a poetic device.
Over the course of the poem the tension is built up steadily, but there is a dramatic change in the last four lines, where the tension is held but the poem becomes reflective rather than vituperative[aggressive and cursing].
Donne also employs the use of imagery in the poem. An example of this is “feigned vestal…”” which is a reference to feigned virginity, representing the selfish and uncouth behaviour of his lover towards him and for her new man. This in turn promotes ideas in the readers mind of romantic unfaithfulness, directly related to Donne’s intention in the construction of the poem. This also brings up the question of the prominence of unfaithfulness in Donne’s time, further enhancing the connection between connubial contexts of the 17th century vs the 21st century.
Overall the poem also comprises heavy melodrama, which is evident in lines such as “when by thy scorn, o’ murdress, I am dead”. This gives the poem a heavy weighting, that bears upon the values and morals associated with reprieval. Donne also clearly demonstrates the inadequacy of her new lover, both sexually and emotionally: Will... think thou call'st for more, and in false sleepe will from thee shrinke..." Not only is the lover too tired for any more, but he is unwilling to listen to her problems. This is a universal notion amongst men, who often have a lack of enthusiasm towards the problems of women. Another line describes, A veryer ghost than I - ie, she will finally understand how he feels, to be rejected in such a way.
Thus donne’s poem “The Apparition” can be seen to be comprised of a variety of ideas and values which underpin a universal framework of communication amongst the sexes, which is applicable not only in the context of 17th century England but also the 21st century world.
