Blog 2: “XIV”

           In the poem “XIV,” Derek Walcott, recounts an experience from his childhood that revolves around an elderly woman who told stories to him and his brother. This poem, however, partakes in the concept of ‘coming of age.’ Through similes, imagery, personification and symbolism the Caribbean writer was able to properly take readers along his journey. Throughout this poem, the author keeps an informal tone to suggest the rapid appearances he encounters, in the process developing the setting as the poem progresses. In relation to the title, XIV—standing for the roman numeral fourteen—readers can infer that this was the age in which this event has occurred. The elderly women described towards the end of the poem, not only acts as a mesmerizing tactic, but she also shows how easily manipulated children are. Her stories— although not much information is provided about them— sets the ground for what the two boys believe.

             Starting off the poem, Walcott uses imagery to help set the setting. Through his descriptions, one can infer that this experience took place in the forest, later on, we see this to be true— “reentered the forest.” Snake, an animal the writer encounters at the very beginning of his journey, possibly suggests rebirth and healing as the reptile was shedding when the two boys approached it. This concept plays a significant role in the writer’s shift from the beginning to end; this shift being adventurous to enthrall. Playing on the mesmerization of the boys seen at the end of the poem specifically, the snake shows their overall growth from this experience. Throughout the poem, the writer’s diction adds on to the ongoing imagery, using this to his advantage to further implicate the conditions he faces along the way. By describing two tropical plants: dasheen and mimosa, the writer further touches upon the setting. As the reader and his brother approach the house, they are greeted by a sunset, which indicates the darkness that is going to consume them shortly, this also is seen as a form of ‘higher power’ in many religious aspects. Ironically, this darkness could be adjacent to the elderly woman who they were visiting. Through the use of simile and personification, readers are given a glimpse of the woman’s house— “the shutters closing like the eyelids of that mimosa.” ‘Ti-Marie’ the name of the mimosa, religiously affiliated with Mary, devises the symbolical importance of the snake seen earlier in the poem. In one part of the poem, the writer overlaps ‘childhood’ and ‘childhood aftermaths.’ Experiences in a sense, shape who we are; building our character and tolerance for certain things. To further indicate the dark, the writer recounts the elderly woman remembering her tale at the “minute of fireflies.” This woman didn’t just play an immense role in the two boy’s lives, but also many others in the Caribbean— “her leaves were the libraries of the Caribbean.” Instead of actually going to a library, many people came to her instead to hear stories. Oddly, in one part, the writer decides to use an exclamation part near the phrase ‘fragrant origins!” Possibly, to evoke a sense of sarcasm or embrace the pleasant scent.  At the end of the poem, the writer uses synonymous tactics to describe the elderly woman to a lamplight. Seemingly touching bases with the ‘nature’ of moths, he emphasizes him and his brother’s fascination with the stories.

           Through these elements, the author was able to show the significance of the elderly woman and their adventure to get to her. An experience as great as this one, ‘sticks’ as it affects the life of the writer greatly. As kids, we tend to believe anything, especially if it comes from the mouth of an adult. Despite, the seemingly positive atmosphere, the writer uses subtle hints of darkness to show the comparison of light and dark; light being the woman, and dark showing the boy’s sense of astray. After seeing the woman, the boy’s are brought to light again.

Blog 1: “The Juggler”

             In the poem “The Juggler,” Richard Wilbur, shows the underlying affects the juggler has on the audience. Through imagery, personification, frequent tone shifts and alliteration, the author was able to properly exhibit the emotional shift of the poem from beginning to end. As his diction seemingly advances as the poem progresses, the author uses this to his advantage to further describe the juggler. The juggler, not only plays an immense role in this poem, but they constitute the leniency people have towards entertainment. Like many people, the author observes the jugglers moves intensely to question his ‘undeniable’ power over gravity.

       Taking a stab into science, Wilbur starts the poem off by explaining the Earth’s gravitational pull in relation to the ball. Here, the concept of juggling comes into play. By the juggler’s ability to keep the ball off the ground, they are seemingly overcoming the Earth’s pull— “shake our gravity up.” As the story goes on, the author adds imagery to help readers get a sense of the audience’s astonishing captivation of the juggler. In one part Wilbur states, “the ball rolls…plate, a table.”  Being told from the author’s perspective, it’s apparent that the author indeed is a part of the audience. The notion of senses comes into play when the author points out the hands, finger, and ears of the juggler in stanza two. By doing this, it adds to the ongoing imagery happening within the poem. Towards the end of stanza one, the author uses personification to shed light on the balls supposed ‘resilient’ nature— “a light-hearted thing…settles and is forgot.” It is evident that the ball enjoys falling as it is accustomed to it, yet the juggler is the only one that is able to keep the ball afloat according to the author. The effect the juggler has on the audience is shown through the shrieking and stomping of boys and girls in stanza four—“the boy’s stamp…the girls shriek.” This quote also briefly touches upon the stereotypical characteristics of boys and girls; boys are often seen as more rowdy and louder than girls. The author’s position in the play is further exemplified when he states “what a show, we cry” in the ending stanza. Towards the end of the poem, the author uses alliteration to signal the ending of the show— ‘daily dark.” His choice of words, however, ironically constitutes to the tone present throughout the poem. His tone which is set as childlike, is shown when the author gains a sense of ‘astray’ when the juggler wasn’t in sight. Like many kids, when stripped away from their ‘toys’ they often began to throw a fit, or mope around feeling lost; the author demonstrates this briefly throughout this poem. In one part of the poem, the author touches upon the concept of religion— “but a heaven…nothing at all.” By doing so, he shows how heaven lacks the force to make the ball fall to the ground, unlike Earth. This concept is used to show the useless act of juggling, unknowingly taking a stab at the juggler’s capability.

         Through these elements, the author was able to properly display the effects of the performance and the subtle power of the juggler. At the end of the poem, the author realizes that the brilliance that the juggler contained, was not found in oneself; ultimate cause of fancy. It’s not everyday we see someone able to master the ability of Earth’s gravitational, Richard Wilbur shows this greatly through the immense details provided throughout the poem.