Question 1: Read the following poem carefully. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how the poet uses language to describe the scene and to convey mood and meaning.
As the scope of human knowledge and technical innovations advance, many often view mankind as the superior species yet Robert Penn Warren crafts a poem that seems to argue the opposite. By using the hawk as a symbol of nature, the force of nature is constructed as wise and enduring under a dark and mysterious mood. The insignificance and fragility of humankind in comparison to the world is illustrated in the poem's language. Through diction, similes, and metaphors, "Evening Hawk" depicts the inferiority of the humanity under the overbearing and omniscient power of nature.
Robert Penn Warren's diction "Evening Hawk" establishes the complex and dominant force of nature by using contrasting words. Initially the hawk is seen "dipping [its wings] through / Geometries and orchids." Words like "Geometries" and "angularity" paint the logical rather than idyllic reality of nature, making it appear rigid and cold. However, the word "orchids" has connotations of beauty and love which characterizes the force of nature in a more romantic light. These conflicting descriptions add to the poem's mysterious mood. Through "the sunset [that] builds, / Out of the peak’s black angularity of shadow," light is used to contrast the dark in the poem. The light and darkness reflect the good and bad sides of nature. While light is generally associated with goodness, Warren's negative description of light as a "tumultuous avalanche" serves as a reminder that even the positive aspects of nature can be foreboding and ominous. By using dissimilar description words and twisting favorable traits, Warren emphasizes the strength and all-knowing power of the force of nature.
By using metaphors and similars, Robert Penn Warren compares the insignificance of humanity to the brute force of nature. Warren compares the hawk's wing a to a scythe with a "honed steel-edge" that cuts the "stalks of Time." The hawk metaphorically cuts the idea of "Time" because it sees the futility of humanity's attempts to control the world. The hawk sees time as useless and "heavy with the gold of...error." This is because the "earth [will] grind on its axis" and continue to progress whether time exists or not. Complexities with the hawk depicted with its judgement of mankind's corruption. The hawk views the world with an "eye, unforgiving, [as] the world, unforgiven, swings / Into shadow." Though the hawk has the capability to forgive, it chooses not to for a reason that is unclear. By doing this, Warren maintains a dark and mysterious mood while revealing another weakness of humankind. The hawk also sees humankind's "history / Drip in darkness like a leaking pipe in the cellar." Because a cellar is found below ground, it hints that the hawk looks down at humanity's history. The darkness in the simile reveals that history has long been forgotten and unclear. Thus mankind's past is trivial and unsuccessful in comparison to the eminent scope of nature's force.
While Robert Penn Warren makes fascinating points about humanity in his poem "Evening Hawk," it may not be a unique view. However, he is able to employ his arguments in a his own style through the use of diction, simile, and metaphors. Warren's personal language crafts a dark and mysterious mood through his depiction of mankind's subordination to nature's commanding and wise force. All of this is smoothly done with a comparison to a hawk.
Robert Penn Warren's diction "Evening Hawk" establishes the complex and dominant force of nature by using contrasting words. Initially the hawk is seen "dipping [its wings] through / Geometries and orchids." Words like "Geometries" and "angularity" paint the logical rather than idyllic reality of nature, making it appear rigid and cold. However, the word "orchids" has connotations of beauty and love which characterizes the force of nature in a more romantic light. These conflicting descriptions add to the poem's mysterious mood. Through "the sunset [that] builds, / Out of the peak’s black angularity of shadow," light is used to contrast the dark in the poem. The light and darkness reflect the good and bad sides of nature. While light is generally associated with goodness, Warren's negative description of light as a "tumultuous avalanche" serves as a reminder that even the positive aspects of nature can be foreboding and ominous. By using dissimilar description words and twisting favorable traits, Warren emphasizes the strength and all-knowing power of the force of nature.
By using metaphors and similars, Robert Penn Warren compares the insignificance of humanity to the brute force of nature. Warren compares the hawk's wing a to a scythe with a "honed steel-edge" that cuts the "stalks of Time." The hawk metaphorically cuts the idea of "Time" because it sees the futility of humanity's attempts to control the world. The hawk sees time as useless and "heavy with the gold of...error." This is because the "earth [will] grind on its axis" and continue to progress whether time exists or not. Complexities with the hawk depicted with its judgement of mankind's corruption. The hawk views the world with an "eye, unforgiving, [as] the world, unforgiven, swings / Into shadow." Though the hawk has the capability to forgive, it chooses not to for a reason that is unclear. By doing this, Warren maintains a dark and mysterious mood while revealing another weakness of humankind. The hawk also sees humankind's "history / Drip in darkness like a leaking pipe in the cellar." Because a cellar is found below ground, it hints that the hawk looks down at humanity's history. The darkness in the simile reveals that history has long been forgotten and unclear. Thus mankind's past is trivial and unsuccessful in comparison to the eminent scope of nature's force.
While Robert Penn Warren makes fascinating points about humanity in his poem "Evening Hawk," it may not be a unique view. However, he is able to employ his arguments in a his own style through the use of diction, simile, and metaphors. Warren's personal language crafts a dark and mysterious mood through his depiction of mankind's subordination to nature's commanding and wise force. All of this is smoothly done with a comparison to a hawk.
Kathy, this essay is amazing! There's very little I can offer in the way of critique. You incorporate evidence well and you have strong and clear arguments. You have strong analysis and connect your thoughts well. The only suggestion I could offer is that your concluding sentence seems a little abrupt. This would receive top scores, no doubt!
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ReplyDeleteHey Kathy,
Wow, this is one of the best student responses that I have ever read! From beginning to end, you start with a strong introduction and end with a solid conclusion. Your body paragraphs smoothly embed several quotations from the text to support your thesis. I like how you analyze for many different points, including mysterious mood and light vs. darkness. The only suggestion that I can come up with is to possibly add line numbers to your quotations.
Have a Great Weekend,
Cindy
I think that your essay is very well written. Your response to the prompt was very on point, and all of your body paragraphs connected well to the claim. I also like your analysis of the poem was very similar to my analysis. The only thing I noticed was that all of your literary devices were from the diction category and not from a "broad range of DIDLS categories". Overall, I think it is a great essay!
ReplyDeleteWow this was really great. Overall I wouldn't say there is much to change. You incorporated your evidence really nicely and your claims were backed up. The only thing I would maybe say is the ending was a little abrupt. Great job!
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