Tell It Not In Gath by Joe Corrie

 

              

                The play, Tell It Not In Gath is written by Joe Corrie. Joe Corrie was a Scottish miner, poet and playwright. Most of his works are radical in its nature. The poor situation of working class people is often seen in his works. 

                  Tell It Not In Gath is an irony on the tinsel nature of bourgeois values. The play tries to unveil the hypocritical facade of moral superiority adopted by the pillars of society. - ( The Human Person, Sexuality & Family, Politics & Law, Education & Culture, and Business & Economics. )    All characters in the play act as per their personal, selfish  interests. The another distressing thing the play shows is the widening gap between the rich and the poor. Not only that the play pin points the society's reaction against evils and the disheartening thing is it doesn't remain evil if it is done by the rich. 

Setting of The Play :  

            The scene starts in the sitting - room of the rectory at Little Padley. It is a large room. The furniture is not in a good condition. The fireplace is in the right wall hence the atmosphere feels warm. There are many chairs in the room. Against the right wall is a bookcase.  On the wall at the back are pictures of the parents of the Reverend Arthur Welsey. His father is depicted as a clergy, his mother can be seen as if lived her whole life as a victim of the poor situation caused by the church life. 

            Here one thing gets clear that Arthur Welsey has got priesthood as a family inheritance. Furthermore, the situation of Marjory is quite same as of Arthur Welsey 's mother. 

Main Characters in the Play :  

The Reverend Arthur Welsey : 

            He is a sixty year old priest. Who seems unhappy and discontented throughout the play. Usually behaves like a hero of the play. His job is to preach people.

Marjory / Mrs. Welsey : 

                   She is the wife of Arthur Welsey. She is some years younger than her husband. Normally we find her knitting.  When the couple argues, she says that she is not happy. Throughout the play she questions her husband regarding his profession. As it is leading them nowhere. Rather they dwell into poverty. At the end of the play she reveals that she had put money in betting and as a result of it she wins twenty thousand pounds for a shilling only. This act of her shows that she is more practical than her husband. 

Miss Oliver : 

             She is a member of the community council. A slim spinster of thirty five wearing a home made woolen dress.  

Miss Crundle : 

              A member of the community council. She looks stouter and ruddier. She has dressed in a tweed costume, collar tie and brogue shoes. Marden warns her about her profiteering Red Hotel Lion business. Before she joins the meeting, she was expected to attend the badminton tournament. 

Joseph Devinish : 

         He is a dapper little man of fifty five. Who joins the meeting with other community members. He is wearing a wing collar and bow tie with his smart suit. He sings in the choir and at local concerts. When meeting ends up being a chaos he says that it would have better to do choir practice. Marden considers him as a dishonest guy. 

Sam Marden : 

                    He seems the antagonist of the play. He is dressed in heavy clothes, with a stout gold watch chain. His trousers are rather baggy, his boots heavy. He is a grocer by profession but might be taken for a farmer. He has an air of being the most important person in the room. Moreover, he argues with Arthur upon who will lodge a case against gamblers. He sounds arrogant and threatening in his tone and nature. Furthermore, his nature becomes more cruel towards the ending of the play when Marjory, mistakenly informs him that he has won twenty thousand pounds on a football coupon things. Where he openly says that one can't do anything to a rich guy. Even he tries to bribe other community members. 

General Summary of the play : 

                   The play opens with the introduction of  Arthur and his wife Marjory. Arthur is reading a book and Marjory is busy doing knitting. They both are not happy in their lives. Arthur is somehow failed to reach for spiritual growth. He feels that he is failing as a preacher of the church. Whereas his wife Marjory, she feels that because of church life, they are not 'Free.' 

          Meanwhile, what happens next is Arthur and other community members have arranged a meeting at rectory. Which upsets Marjory. Which leads both couple to a verbal fight. Somehow meeting takes place. Where all the members try to suggest the solutions to prevent gambling done by the new setteled coal miners. They think that they have contaminated the village with evilness. Everyone thinks to file a police case against them. But the question arises of who will suit the case. As all have their own reputation and businesses connected with the coal miners. It means if they file a case against these miners they won't be the part of this prosperity which these community members possess. This whole incident leads to a heated debate between Arthur and Marden. This is the time where Marden says that whatever he has it is because of these coal miners. So he withdraws himself from lodging the case against these miners. This whole argument reveals the hypocrisy of all. Not only that they all seem  cruel and dishonest. 

            As play moves further, Marjory enters with excitement. She informs that Mr. Marden has won twenty thousand pounds on a football coupon things. ( Actually she herself has won the money but she misunderstood the conversation with the  Old John Sexton.) Marden is in shock as he caught red handed in front of all the members. However,  his behavior charges as he is now a rich guy. 

       At the end they all plan to leave now. Again Marjory appears,  she informs her husband that actually Mr. Marden doesn't get a  penny as the football coupon was of somebody else. Arthur seems disappointed with mankind and angry too.  This is where Marjory reveals her secret and informs her husband about the money she has won. 

       Undoubtedly Marjory convinces her husband and we can see a smile on her husband's face. Here the question arises of will they tell this to Gath....!  ? 

                            Curtain 

Major Themes of the Play : 

• Public life and Private life 
• Situation of a married Woman
• Morality and Practicality 
• Role of commons in the economic growth 
• Money Driven world 
• Faith vs Practicality 
• Secular life and Spiritual life 
• Bourgeois Values 
• Who's more evil ? Common people or Rich People 
•  ( Coal Miners or Community Members)  

Questions : 

1 Discuss the title of the play. Is it appropriate? 

2 Write a note on the themes of the play.

3 Money is a dominant motive in human affairs. Prove it. 

4 Write a  character sketch of Arthur Wesley. 

5 Who is the most honest character in the play according to you?  Give reasons for your answers. 

6. If you are given the chance to develop this play further, what scenes will you add? 

                  

                  

                    

On Dartmoor by Neil Grant

        On Dartmoor is  a one act play written by Neil Grant. The play appears to be a crime play, but actually it is a satire on a certain type of idealism with some comic incidents. In addition, play portrays the political conflicts between Europe and Russia. 

Setting Of The Play : 

              The setting of a story / play is important because it provides the reader with context on the time, place, and environment that the story takes place in. 

          The play takes place in a room of a bungalow on Dartmoor. Which is owned by two young girl friends, Muriel and Leonora. The room looks artistically furnished in a modernist way. It is apparent that both girls come from a well-to-do family. There are two doors in the house and windows on each side of the center door, with a telephone lying on table to the right of the centre door. 

Main Characters in the Play : 

( Both Girls consider themselves as an 'Integral Anarchists.') ( Anarchy : Click On it ) 

• Muriel Armstrong : She is a young, pretty and the athletic type between the two. She has written a book about  " 'orros o' prison life. " ( Horros of prison life.)  

• Leonora Ashley : Alike her friend, she is also a pretty young looking girl. 

• Bill Syme : He pretends to be an escaped prisoner. And succeeds in his intentions by playing emotional tricks over these both ladies. But in reality,  he is a crooked, clever thief. He is inept at English. ( May be intentionally )   (Class Conflicts)   

• Albert Read / Sergeant Read : A handsome looking young fellow in mackintosh and soft hat. He is the one who calls these girls to make  inquiry about the escaped prisoner. He is impudent and rude in his tone. ( Criticizing Police System / Government / Authority / Institutions ) At the end of the play, he disguises as police officer and interrogate the girls. Later on ransacks the room with his partner Bill Syme.

• Fred Lee : A timid, elderly, feeble-looking man in prison dress, half dazed with fright and fatigue.  He is the real escaped prisoner. Who ask the girls to safeguard him from police. But they jumps on him, overpowers him, hurls him to ground, almost suffocates him with cushion, and binds him brutally with scarf. He pleads for help. But both girls pound him as if he is a devil. 

• Two Servants 

( These characters never appear onto the stage. Whatever is said about them is how rich ladies treat their maid servants. The treatment of a maid is more like an object rather than a human being. May be these rich ladies have prejudices against these maid servants. Both Muriel and Leonora sounds arrogant when they talk about maid servants.)  

1.  Jane : A Housemaid, she has no views on any objects except pictures and boys.  But who suffers from incipient hysteria. 
2. Cook : She loves a gossip. A narrow minded woman, who reads The Morning Post. 

• Jackson : A Warder. 
• Joe Ridley : When Bill Syme narrates his story to Leonora and Muriel, Bill Syme mentions Joe Ridley as his prison mate. 

An Outline of the play : 

               When the play opens, Muriel is informed by the police about the escape of a criminal with instruction to inform them if the prisoner came that way. Whole event leads to an engaging talk between the two friends. Where we become familiar with their lifestyle and etc. Which is quite fastidious if we say so. In addition what happens subsequently seems quite natural to us. 

                  As the play moves further, the escaped prisoner enters their home. They, Muriel and Leonora, provide shelter to him.

 ( Escaped Prisoner / Bill Syme / A thief   ) Not only that they treat him as if he is a guest. Now they all seem happy. This is where we feel that the girls lack the knowledge of a real world. They are driven by the fake appraisal and sentiments used by the escaped prisoner. In their excitement, and in their ignorance of the real world, they fail to realize that the escaped prisoner is a crook.                

         At the initial part of the play, we observe that the both girls appear to be intellectual and smart.  But what we see next is totally opposite of it. In a way at some point of time, Bill Syme looks more intellectual than the both girls. It means both ladies are suffering from 'Idealism.' The escaped prisoner, Bill Syme, knows how to judge a person. The both girls, serve drink and food to him. Meanwhile Bill Syme narrates his past story to both of them. And provides the reason behind his punishment by telling the brutality of Police. ( This is where he succeeds in his cruel aim as the both girls consider themselves as an Integral Anarchists, it means they hate all types of rules and regulations. ( They feel that their should not be anyone to rule over them.) While citing the reason behind his crime  he says that " I caught her with that feller " ( What he is trying to say is that his wife had an affair with somebody else. ) That's why he killed her with a Hammer. Even Bill Syme provides the name of a judge. Who is the grandfather of Leonora. They all critically abuse the judge and consider him as a  barbarian and sadist. In addition, Bill Syme feels that it is better to live in France or Italy. (As per both ladies, the crime is a primitive act ! ) 

             What we see now is the escaped prisoner ask the both girls whether there is anyone at home or not. But fortunately there's no one at present. He gets money from the both girls ( They consider themselves as if they are expiators ! ) as he is wishing to go Plymouth. Which is his future escape plan. The escaped prisoner /Bill Syme praises Russia. In a way that's what the both girls were waiting to hear. Meantime, both ladies ask Bill  to change his convict dress and provide the old suit of her grandfather. 

          What happens next is they all are laughing heartily but suddenly they hear the noise of car outside. Bill Syme is frightenned now. ( Pretends ! ) The both girls hide him upstairs, remove the footprints and wipe everything. Leonora pretends to be reading on something. They sit down in their old positions. Even Muriel considers PM's speech as a rotten speech. ( As per the newspaper she is reading, PM has commented upon women's clothes !  ) Not only that she criticises England's poor performance in Ashes Tournament. ( Cricket Match between England and Australia) Here writer is criticizing the idle/ leisure people as they have nothing important to do. But they remain ready to suggest solutions for each problems. But the solution for a problem should be practical.  Which they can't provide. Which seems more clear when Leonora wishes to live in Kensington - a posh area in central London.  Which is famous for its over sophisticated, royal luxurious lifestyle. 

             While moving towards the end of the play,  suddenly somebody knocks at the door. Who introduces himself as detective Albert Read. (Sergeant Read). He is the man who had telephoned the girls. As soon as he enters in their house, he starts interrogating the both girls. Where we can sense that he already knows about their backgrounds. While answering detective, Leonora sounds polite in her manners whereas Muriel tries  to be aristocrat / authoritative in her tone. As he makes inquiry  further,  he goes upstairs and joins  his partner  Bill Syme there  to ransack the house. The both girls think that Sergeant is looking for the escaped prisoner. Whereas the both fellows escape after stealing jewellery and etc,. At this point the both girls realized that they have been tricked by a couple of crooks. They feel regret about their past behavior. They used to believe that with their Idealism, they can change the world. Which fails at the end of the play. What happens next in the play is the both  girls are crying and at the same time again somebody knocks at the door - a real convict / escaped prisoner. Who introduces himself as Fred Lee.  Who pleads for help and shelter but both ladies (Agitated)  start beating him in despair and frustration. The convict keeps pleading for help. Nobody comes. Moreover, they ignore the escaped prisoner and Muriel pounds him and binds him. While Leonora rushes to call police. 

                               Curtain ! 

Major Themes of the Play   : 

• Fake Idealism 
• Political Conflict between Europe and Russia 
• Anarchism 
• Representation of Police System 
• Class Conflict 
• Over Fastidious Nature 
• Ignorance of a real world 
• Behavior towards sycophants 
• Who is more knowledgeable : The girls or crooks 
• How an officious look plays vital role
• Impractical Idealism 
• Problems of idle rich 
• Grief of commons 
• Satire on aristocrats 
• The barbaric nature of civilized 
• The representation of human beings as sadists

Questions : 

1- State the theme of the play. 

2- Bring out the satire in the play. 

3- Do you find anything farcical in the play?  If so, point out and show its farcical nature. 

4- Describe the trick played upon the two ladies by the two thieves.  

           

      

        

Since There's No Help By Michael Drayton

 

         The sonnet( 61) 'Since There's No Help' is written by Michael Drayton.  (Click On It ) Who is considered as one of the famous poet of Elizabethan Age after Shakespeare and Sidney. That can be seen in the structure of this sonnet as it follows the format of Shakespearean sonnet. This sonnet is the part of the book named Idea's  Mirrors. Which was published in 1594. Here we shall see the general meaning of the poem.  

          The whole poem is centred around the theme of lovers' separation. Which can be seen in the title too. While reading the sonnet, we come across such words which follows the first person narrative techniques. Here one thing gets clear that it is the feeling of author/ narrator for his beloved.  

Since there's no help, come let us kiss and part; 

  Nay, I have done, you get no more of me, 

 And I am glad, yea, glad with all my heart, 

    That thus so cleanly I myself can free; 

        In the very first quatrain poet says to his beloved that 'let's us kiss and part.' It means something has already happened in the past, which we don't know. What we know is that narrator and his beloved both are ready to depart. May be their future is not together. The lover shares his thought regarding his relationship with her. In addition, he is now glad to depart as that will make both of them free from everything. But the tone is full of melancholy. 

  Shake hands for ever, cancel all our vows, 

      And when we meet any time again, 

      Be it not seen in either of our brows

    That we one jot of former love retain.  

     However,  the next quatrain has some hope.  Or we can say there's some indirect communication between them which only they can understand. Now, the narrator is ready to shake hands for the last time, probably before escorting her. Who tells his beloved to cancel all past vows.  It means, lovers know that how past memories can affect them.  So it is better to forget everything. Suddenly, there's certain change in tone as writer shows some hope for the future encounter. Again the lover tells his beloved that if they meet in future life, they will pretend as strangers. And for that he provides the reason also. Because, that can help them to reinvent their love for each other.  

Now at the last gasp of love's latest breath, 

When, his pulse failing, passion speechless lies, 

When faith is kneeling by his bed of death, 

And innocence is closing up his eyes,

Now if thou ( You) wouldst, when all have given him over, 

From death to life thou mightst him yet recover.  

    The next stanza sounds more seducing.  But with wooing intent. The lover tells his beloved that the love is almost dead now. There's no more passion.  And he regrets that there's no trust, faith anymore in this relationship. Or we can say that their relationship is without soul now. As we have reached at the concluding part of the poem, similarly, the lover expresses his final words by telling his beloved that the retrieval of this relationship is in the hands of his beloved. Which makes his stand clear.  

     In conclusion we can say that the end of the poem is some how optimistic as the beloved doesn't answer anything. Which makes narrator hopeful to revive his love.  

Rhyming Scheme : ABAB CDCD EFEF GG 

Personifications : "Faith" is kneeling... 

                                 "Innocence" is closing... 

Further Readings : 

 1. Since There's No Help 

           

        

My Friend, The Things That Do Attain by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

              The poem 'My Friend, The Things That Do Attain' speaks about the universal happiness of human beings. In addition, it shows the political influence of that time in which Henry Howard lived. Most importantly, his eminence lies as the founder of English Renaissance Poet and the member of the court life of that British period. In this present poem the narrator describes the elements through which one can attain the happiness in his or her life. Along with his poetic genius, he was a reckless politician with less circumspect and that becomes the reason of his execution by Henry- 8. 

               Inherently Henry Howard was a wealthy lad and that helped him to establish his career in the court life of that time. Unlike his father, he becomes the victim of political upheaval caused by the different parties. Eventually, what we are trying to see is that how Howard draws the attention of audience through his bitter experiences of past life. Furthermore, he provides valid, common, ingredients to seek happiness in this collosal world.  Here we shall see the detailed analysis of each stanza. 

        My Friend, the things that do attain 

            The happy life be these, I find : 

          The riches left, not got with pain ;

      The fruitful ground ; the quiet mind ; 

            The first stanza is focused upon how one can attain sublime happiness in the life by following the shared elements. The narrator describes that to become rich is necessary but the way should be more honest and peaceful. Which draws our attention towards prevailing inequality among the people. Especially economical one. In addition, speaker provides the positive consequences of that honest life. For example, hard work always pays the fruit. As here narrator has mentioned, fruitful ground and quiet mind.  

       The equal friend : no grudge, no strife ;

          No charge of rule, nor governance; 

            Without disease, the healthy life; 

             The household of continuance; 

 

  The next stanza is based on total four elements of one standard life.  The first one is about the importance of true and equal, friendship.  Not only that, the author emphasizes on the true attributes of friendship.  Like,  there shouldn't be any hypocrisy, grudge or strife among the friends. At the very next moment, the poem swings from individualism to utilitarianism.  In order to maintain peace in a country, every nation requires a calm political situation. And to establish that situation, government needs to stop interfering into the private life of common people for their selfish motives. In current time, some of the developing countries are the authentic examples of cruel dictatorship.  The narrator doesn't stop here, now his focus is on person's health.  As a healthy life is considered as the symbol of heaven. When we read about the author, we come to know that how his family plays pivotal role in his political career. Similarly,  the narrator also illuminates the family values and its importance for a  peaceful life. It seems that the poem is following the chronological order, isn't it ? ! 

            The mean diet, no dainty fare; 

          Wisdom joined with simpleness; 

           The night discharged of all care, 

      Where wine the wit may not oppress;     

  The third stanza is directly connected with the human body.  The narrator shares the core values of moderate food. And we know that gluttony is considered as something evil among all scriptures. The prime focus of this stanza is on the simple life and its benefits.  If person follows the simplicity in his life then he may never choose to be relax.  Or we can say person doesn't need to intake wine.  Which is dangerous for human body. So according to the narrator,  one should live more simple life which is full of wisdom. Like, Mahatma Gandhi. When we read books based on his life, it tells that he was a staunch follower of simple life.  That's what makes him great 'Politician.' 

         The faithful wife, without debate; 

      Such sleeps as may beguile the night; 

          Content thyself with thine estate, 

     Neither wish death, nor fear his might.  

  As earlier we have seen that the poem looks like a growing up story.  Likewise, the last stage of this poem takes us towards the blissful end of life. Here, the narrator has a message for a married couple. As the last stanza suggests that faithfulness is the crucial aspects of a spousal life. In addition, poet uses the irony by considering night as something beguile. The last two lines of the poem represents the core knowledge of writer's past life. It tells that once person has his own estate it is better to be content with what he has rather than to be more wolfish.  Not only that, the narrator considers this life more compassionate for everyone. In order to achieve that beauty, people should avoid the fear of death. Because once person win over the fear, he or she  can achieve anything in this world.  

Rhyming Scheme : ABAB CDCD  EFEF GHGH 

                                  4 QUATRAINS 

Ode On Solitude by Alexander Pope

    

   'Ode On Solitude' is a short poem written by Alexander Pope.  ( Click on it)  He was 12 years old while writing this poem. While focusing on its title, it has the word - 'Ode' which means,  A lyrical poem and can have a complex meter. Most importantly it is more like an admiration of something. This ode consist total five quatrains. Which we will see in details.  

        The poem sounds simple in its stature but it contains robust meaning in it. In the very beginning, the narrator familiarizes the reader about the happiness of a person who possesses his own land in a countryside. Here, the anonymous person inherits this  land from his forefathers. In addition the person is content with what he has. For instance the narrator says that there is pure air, green ground and other heavenly things, which is to live with nature, are here to please the person. The narrator describes the solitary life of a person and considers him as a lucky guy.  Which induces the importance of solitude in life. 

          The second stanza focuses upon the daily routine of a common grazier. It shows the independent life of a person. As he doesn't need to go outside to buy milk, bread, clothes and etc,. What we have been told here is that this grazier is far away from madding crowd and to survive, he owns his own herds, which provides milk and attire.  Not only that, he cultivates his own land to get enough yields.  As we move further in this poem, the author emphasizes upon the importance of trees.  Because the same trees becomes the shelter in heat and fire in the winter.

The third phase of this ode takes us into the life of people living in rural area.  Who have nothing to do with the mainstream of nation. They know the alluring desire of city life. However,  the narrator considers them as blessed. It shows the cycle of life. Where everything is connected with each other. For instance, the third stanza speaks about the peaceful, healthy and happy life of countryside. They haven't become the cog in a machine if we say so.  And that's how they are living their austere life.  

     These lyrics connect solitude with the innocence. The narrator describes the another quality of a  solitary life.  The people who have lived in solitude are more patient compared to others as this isolation provides them self introspection.  One can see the powerful insight of the writer as he considers this cycle as a meditation.  And to study hard one needs full isolation where you can obtain peace of mind which helps person to grasp the concept. Moreover, to create something new, a person requires ability to think and which should be free of all other obscurities. 

      The concluding lines are focused on the trivial nature of life. Here writer through the persona of an anonymous person tells us that nothing is stangnant. As a result of it one should live the life at fully. But the person doesn't want to be famous. What he wants is an unlamented death. He knows that how cruel this world is. At the end, the speaker sends one message to the audience. We can say that the last two lines are the epitome of the poem. Which reminds us the different aspects of solitude and loneliness. The narrator says that he is not stone hearted person but sometimes it is more preferable, to reinvent yourself, one should seek the solitude.  

Rhyming Scheme : ABABCDCDEFEFGHGH 

Background of the Poem. ( Click On It)  

Further Readings : ( Click On It ) 

1. Ode On Solitude 

2. Ode On Solitude 

3. Alexander Pope's disability and creativity

'Prayer Before Birth' By Louis MacNeice

 

 

    Isn't this title an alarming one ? ! Not only the  title but whole poem raises the question on humanity itself.  The titled poem was written by Louis MacNiece in the year 1944. He was a poet, playwright and the member called Auden Group of poets. The group focused on 'social poetry' which stamped them as a social poets.

       The central theme of the poem debunks the idea of military and the war. The poet sends this message through the persona of an unborn child's prayer. That how the violence has destroyed the humanity. Which can be saved by sharing love and care for each other. Not only brutality,  but corruption has made human beings sick. Here this poem tries to awaken human feelings for each other before they become destructive spirits.  

I am not yet born; O hear me.  

 Let not the bloodsucking bat or the rat or the stoat or the 

           club - footed ghoul come near me.

     The very first stanza speaks about the child's imagination. Which is full of horrors. The unborn child indicates that even unborn children are being corrupted by humans in their visualization.  To show that fear,  unborn chiild compares human being with the insects called bat, rat, stoat and club footed ghoul.  

I am not yet born, console me.  

I fear that the human race may with tall walls wall me, 

with strong drugs dope me,  with wise lies lure me, 

on black racks rack me, in blood- baths roll me.  

    In the next stanza, the child asks for the sympathy from the human beings. Because the child is aware about the cruelty committed by the humans. Here the word 'Wall' creates the feelings of dictatorship and claustrophobia. Not only that, the unborn child warns us of drugs which can be dangerous for all of us. These savage attributes makes child dejected for upcoming life. 

I am not yet born; provide me 

With water to dandle me, grass to grow for me, trees to talk to me, sky to sing me, birds and a white light in the back of my mind to guide me.  

  The stanza three includes the optimistic view of life. Here, child desires the natural elements to be a guide in his/ her path. First, it asks for the sympathy, particularly through cuddling. We know that human beings are social animals and it always remains in the search of some company.  For a baby,  these Trees, Grass,  Sky and birds are the soulmates for the rest of his/ her life.   Because these are the persons ( All natural elements personified in this stanza ) who have been a guide to him/ her throughout the life. The nature shows the humanly feelings rather than the humans themselves. The poet denounces the cruel world of humans.

I am not yet born; Forgive me 

For the sins that in me the world shall commit, my words when they speak me, my thoughts when they think me, my treason engendered by traitors beyond me, my life when they murder by means of my hands, my death when they live me.  

 We know that it is the monologue written from the perspective of an unborn child. The child is aware about the worldly things where to be aloof from these manipulatory threats is a difficult thing. Therefore,  it asks to pardon him/her-self before committing any crime. According to the child, the malpractice, corruption, is as same as the traitorhood. These words expresses the fear of becoming corrupted like everyone else on earth.  

I am not yet born; rehearse me 

In the parts I must play and the cues I must take when old men lecture me,  bureaucrats hector me,  mountains frown at me, lovers laugh at me,  the white waves call me to folly and the desert calls me to doom and the beggar refuses my gift and my children curse me. 

  The stanza five speaks about the adulthood of an unborn child. Now, the  child has faced many gruesome experiences of a real life. The child is ready to follow the path suggested by the old men. Furthermore, it seems that the child has become the puppet of a bureaucrat. Which suuggest that, the innocence is not anymore with the unborn child.  In addition, even mountains are not happy with the child due to its inhuman decisions. Nobody is happy with the (adult) child, for instance, lovers laugh at him, the white waves, that is the ocean,  which stands for peace, but here,  the waves also considers an adult child a folly. Still the pang is not going away from the child as desert declares the final dooms on the child.  So far these natural elements have cursed the adult, even beggars are not taking the gifts from him. But things became worst when his/ her own children curse the man. ( The unborn child who thinks of his future.) We can say that the child is now all alone in this cruel world.  

I am not yet born; O hear me, 

Let not the man who is beast or who thinks he is God come near me.  

   After becoming alone in this world,  it becomes difficult to survive.  But the child knows the living beast within the human being and its looming danger. For that,  the child openly tells that he/she doesn't want to be near with the violent men. It criticises the hypocrisy of the preachers. Who acts like a God but actually they are not. Who just takes the advantage of the person' s position for the own selfish reasons.    

I am not yet born; O fill me 

With strength against those who would freeze my humanity, would dragoon me into a lethal automation, would make me a cog in a machine, a thing with one face,  a thing, and against all those who would dissipate my entirely, would blow me like thistledown hither and thither or hither and thither like water held in the hands would spill me 

Let them not take me a stone and let them not spill me.  

Otherwise kill me.  

 As we proceed to the end of the poem, In  the last stanza the unborn child prays for the inner strength. The child openly admits that why he/ she requires the strength. Because people may freeze his humanity. Which represents the insensitive nature of a men. The next sentence represents the machinery world of contemporary era.  Where humans are being treated like a machine. For that poet here provides the metaphor of 'a cog in a machine.' Ultimately,  the child has now lost his own identity and wants be careful from this dissipate people. At the last the unborn child says that these people will blow him away like a  thistle and then he/ she no longer be the part of this humanly world.  

      However,  the child admits that he doesn't want to be a  stone hearted person like others. (Here the background may focuses on the life of a soldier)  And if, it happens then the unborn child is ready to die before coming out into the world. Eventually, the whole poem is an appeal, a prayer, (by a baby who is still in a womb), for the liberty and a rebel against the despotism. The tone of the poem is quite depressing.  Because the WAR is just a small word but its consequences are always gigantic one.  Not only that, it halts the progress of a nation.  The epitome of the poem is, only mankind can save an  innocent child and for that  the innocent child asks for a courage and willpower.  

•Context : Time of World War 2.  It was a time of fear for the survival of human beings.  

•Tone : The tone is full of pessimism.  There's constant menace of the future.  The poem has an apocalyptic or nightmarish sense. It represents the despondency, tribulation and the forthcoming disaster caused by the violence.  

• Form and Structure : The form of the poem is a dramatic monologue spoken by an unborn child.  Which is quite abstract.  

• Themse : 

1. The Cruel World 

2. Violence and Human Beings

3. Liberty and Despotism 

4. Bureaucracy and Corruption 

5. Dying emotion 

6. Wise or Destructive nature of machines

• Personification : 

1. Water 

2. Grass 

3. Trees 

4. Sky 

5. White light 

6. Mountains

7. White Waves 

8. Desert 

• Repetition : ' I am not yet born.' ( It works like an incantation, of a prayer.  ) 

• Alliteration :

~ Blood - Sucking bat 

~ drugs dope 

~ lies lure 

~ blood baths 

• Irony : 

~ Waves are white ( It represents the peace but here it leads towards the evils.) 

• Metaphor : 

~ 'Cog in a machine.'  

( Further Reading : Prayer Before Birth. ) 

  Click on it.  

          Our true prayer is to reflect on what we have learnt so far. Your task is to appear in the Quiz and to compete the Thinking Activity. Here it is suggested to go through this blog before starting your both tasks.  Remember one thing,  reflective learning is our strength.....

• Quiz. ( Click On It.)  

• Thinking Activity.  

1. Justify your understanding of the poem Prayer Before Birth.  

2. Why does the unborn child plea for a strength?  ( You can take help of stanza 7)  

3. What is the role of natural elements in this poem? 

👍

'Virtue' by George Herbert

 

                       The poem 'Virtue' was written by George Herbert. While reading about the author we come to know that he was born into a wealthy and prestigious family. In his poetry there is an eternal sense of spirituality. Most of the reader consider him as a religious poet. Moreover, he was associated with the Metaphysical Group of Poets. That we can see in his choice of words. 

                        'The Temple' is the main collection of his poems. The titled poem is the part of this collection. There are total four quatrains in this poem. The major theme of the poem is formed on the transience of beauty and life. Here we will see the whole poem in details.

 Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,
 
   The bridal of the earth and sky;
 
   The dew shall weep thy fall tonight,
 
   For thou must die.

                            The poet begins the poem with the use of personification. As he attaches the humanly emotions to the inanimate objects. In the very beginning, the day has been described as something 'Sweet', 'Cool', 'Calm' and 'Bright.' At the next moment, there is 'bridal' depiction of the earth and sky. Thus, it provides one static image, which is of a serene day. Here we can say that narrator has compared the day as bright as the day of marriage. Not only that, the partner, earth and sky, both are happy too. Then poet moves to the more realistic fantasy. In the next line, narrator shows that the night has fallen and the eyes are full of tears. Here, for tears, writer has used the metaphor of dew. Along with this, there is clear emphasis on the idea of mortality. The narrator tries to say that, nothing is permanent. Therefore, one should better focus on present and make most of it. 

        Sweet rose, whose hue, angry and brave,           5

   Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye;
   Thy root is ever in its grave,
 
   And thou must die.

       In the second stanza, there is depiction of ' Sweet Rose.' But when we proceed further, we meet with the juxtaposition of  a two different characteristics. The rose is the symbol of passion, romance and beauty. Again, the hue of the rose is not the simple one, it is scarlet red. Suddenly the narrator reminds us that the color is angry and brave. Therefore it becomes the reason of tears, as it is unbearable for the person to face its intensive rays. The another symbol rose provides is of death and rebirth. Which we see in a next line. Because at the end, the grave is the shelter for everyone.

 

          Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses,

   A box where sweets compacted lie;               10
   My music shows ye have your closes,

   And all must die.

                  The third stanza begins with the season of spring. It leads to the sweet days. It is like a unveiling the covered box. Our imagination might lead us to think that the box is covered due to heavy winter. The winter depicts the harshness and solitude of life. Not only that,  after facing tremendous pain one experiences the hope and tranquility of life. To this spot, Herbert shows the earthly beauty and its temporariness. Even this song itself is not eternal. 

  Only a sweet and virtuous soul
 
   Like seasoned timber, never gives;
 
   But though the whole world turn to coal,
           15
 
   Then chiefly lives.

            So far we have seen that how it becomes vital to live life fully at its own disposal. However, in the last stanza we see change in the narrative tone. Which sounds more puritan. But yes, remember one thing that puritan does not stand for conservatism, or for rigidity. As we can't forget Milton's epic poem, 'Paradise Lost.' The fourth quatrain speaks about the 'virtuous soul.' The narrator makes emphasis on the better 'karmas' of an individual person. As person's virtues are like timber which will last long. Apart from this, everything will turn into ash. 
   The entire poem warns us of the evident death. However, at the end, Herbert, reveals to the readers that, the humble, transient life and etc., these "Virtues" can help to embrace better eternal life. 


                        
 Rhyming scheme : The poem is written in Iambic Tetrameter. It consists ABAB rhyme scheme. 

Other reading source. ( click on it.)      
 

         See to reflect on our learning is one of the best virtue! Let your imagination fly...
 
     Here, your first task is to appear in the Quiz. The second task is to complete the Thinking Activity.  

1. Quiz ( Click on it )                 

        2. Thinking Activity ( These questions are based on your own thoughts. ) 

1. Justify your understanding of the poem 'Virtue.'

2. What is the symbolic meaning of the season Spring ?

3. What is your basic understanding of the word 'virtuous soul?'

4. What are the most corrupt sectors/ organisations  in India?  What will you do to prevent the corruption ?

5. What is your idea of 'honesty?' Share some of the experiences of your own life.