Analyzing Contemporary and Traditional Readings of Poetry

Analyzing Contemporary and Traditional Readings of Poetry

  • Submitted By: cptjack07
  • Date Submitted: 10/12/2008 10:28 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 1909
  • Page: 8
  • Views: 1214

Traditionally, poetry was thought to offer the best thoughts from the best minds. Traditional poetry is based on the theory that all humans share a ‘core’ human nature. Traditional poems are written utilizing a range of literature techniques such as finely crafted language, the ability to educate while it entertains and offering serious themes for consideration to name a few. These techniques are used to express the writers’ opinion, human experience, human values and a perceptive view on the world. The contemporary approach is quite different; it objects the traditional approach that all humans are the same. The contemporary approach believe outside influences (which the traditional approach does not accommodate) shape human behaviour and our way of thinking; outside influences such as political, cultural and social contexts. These influences make the poem a cultural artefact- a product of its time. These two readings are commonly applied to analyse poetry, however if applied to the lyrics of a song either a traditional or contemporary approach can be achieved. “Anthem for Doomed Youth” by Wilfred Owen is my chosen poem and “The Dogs of War” by Pink Floyd is my song.
“Anthem for Doomed Youth” is a traditionally valued poem. It exhibits characteristics of a traditional literature reading, such as finely crafted language, the pattern of sounds and the ability to also create images through the use of word connotations as well.
-Read poem-
“Anthem for Doomed Youth” offers an insightful view on the soldiers’ treatment in World War 1. The poet positions the readers to feel and imagine the horror of war; the sound of the guns firing and the falling shells. It is a sad poem; the title is the first indicator of this. However it is positioning the reader to feel desperate and lonely. The words only, nor and no used in the first stanza give this effect. Owens’ is trying to get his point across that these soldiers had next to nothing.
So how does this...

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