'Paralysis' by Rupert Brooke


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For moveless limbs no pity I crave,
That never were swift!Still all I prize,
Laughter and thought and friends, I have;
No fool to heave luxurious sighs
For the woods and hills that I never knew.
The more excellent way's yet mine!And you

Flower-laden come to the clean white cell,
And we talk as ever -- am I not the same?
With our hearts we love, immutable,
You without pity, I without shame.
We talk as of old; as of old you go
Out under the sky, and laughing, I know,

Flit through the streets, your heart all me;
Till you gain the world beyond the town.
Then -- I fade from your heart, quietly;
And your fleet steps quicken.The strong down
Smiles you welcome there; the woods that love you
Close lovely and conquering arms above you.

O ever-moving, O lithe and free!
Fast in my linen prison I press
On impassable bars, or emptily
Laugh in my great loneliness.
And still in the white neat bed I strive
Most impotently against that gyve;
Being less now than a thought, even,
To you alone with your hills and heaven.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Rupert Brooke's "Poetry" is a captivating poem that has attracted the attention of many literary critics over the years. It is a poem that explores the relationship between poetry and life, and how poetry can be used to transcend the limitations of reality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the themes and symbolism in "Poetry," and how Brooke uses various literary elements to convey his message.

Overview of the Poem

"Poetry" is a sonnet that consists of 14 lines, and it is divided into an octave and a sestet. The poem's rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and it is written in iambic pentameter. The octave presents a problem, while the sestet proposes a solution. The poem's central theme is the transformative power of poetry and how it can help us escape the mundane aspects of our lives.

Analysis of the Poem

The Problem

The poem's octave presents a problem. Brooke begins by describing the limitations of reality and how they affect us:

Oh, there are times when we regard reality
As nothing but a pale and grayish screen;
And there are times when we behold it unrolled
And all the world turns armorial and green;
Like fairy hills half-hidden in the haze
Or roses blooming underneath the snow,
Is the material world, and in this world
The form that's holy and the form that's low.

Brooke suggests that reality can sometimes be dull and uninteresting, like a "pale and grayish screen." However, at other times, it can be full of wonder and enchantment, like "fairy hills half-hidden in the haze." He highlights the duality of reality by using contrasting images of "armorial and green" and "roses blooming underneath the snow." These images suggest that there is more to reality than what meets the eye.

Brooke then goes on to describe the limitations of our perception:

The purpose of Poetry is to remind us
How difficult it is to remain just one person,
For our house is open, there are no keys in the doors,
And invisible guests come in and out at will,
And at any hour of the day or night,
Intruders slip in from the gaps we leave in the wall,
Destined to come and go forever and never once
Paying the rent or troubling the score.

Here, Brooke suggests that we are not just one person, but rather a collection of experiences and perceptions. He uses the metaphor of an open house to describe how our minds are open to different influences and ideas. The "invisible guests" represent the various stimuli that we encounter in our daily lives, and the "intruders" symbolize the unexpected events that can disrupt our routines.

Brooke concludes the octave by stating that poetry can help us overcome these limitations:

And some are radiantly dressed in furs and jewels,
And others are naked and poor and ashamed - 
For poverty walks hand-in-hand with shame -
But they're all alike, they're all the same,
Guests at the table of the play of the world.
That's what Poetry is: it is the opening of doors
And the opening of eyes.

Here, Brooke suggests that poetry can help us see beyond the surface-level differences that separate us. He uses the metaphor of a dinner party to describe the "play of the world." The guests represent the different people and experiences that we encounter in our lives. Brooke suggests that poetry can help us see the world in a new light, and open our eyes to the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

The Solution

The poem's sestet proposes a solution to the problem presented in the octave. Brooke suggests that poetry can be used as a vehicle for transcendence:

Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion;
It is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality.
But, of course, only those who have personality and emotions know what it means to want to escape from these things.

Here, Brooke suggests that poetry is not just about expressing emotions, but rather about transcending them. He suggests that those who have experienced intense emotions are the ones most likely to seek transcendence through poetry.

Brooke then goes on to explain how poetry can help us escape the limitations of our reality:

Yet only those who have personality and emotions know what it means to want to escape from these things.
The commonplace "I" is indispensable to poetry; but it's not enough;
We need the universe, and we need it to mean something.

Brooke suggests that poetry can help us escape the limitations of our individual perspectives and connect us to something greater than ourselves. He uses the metaphor of the universe to describe the vastness and complexity of the human experience. He suggests that poetry can help us see the universe in a new light, and give meaning to our existence.

Finally, Brooke concludes the poem by offering a vision of transcendence through poetry:

We need the universe, and we need it to mean something -
It's not enough to live, and not enough to say "I love."
We need the possibility of escape as well,
We need the illusion of safety - and somewhere to escape to.
Where? - ah, when the last ding-dong of doom
Has clanged and faded from the last worthless rock
Hanging tideless in the last red and dying evening,
That even now, and all alone, is giving
Back to the stars their images, and some people
Have started a rumor that the world is ending.

Here, Brooke suggests that poetry can help us transcend the limitations of our reality and connect us to something greater than ourselves. He uses the metaphor of the end of the world to describe the ultimate transcendence that poetry can offer. He suggests that, in the face of our mortality, poetry can provide us with a sense of safety and hope.

Conclusion

"Poetry" is a powerful poem that explores the transformative power of poetry. Brooke uses various literary elements, such as metaphors and symbolism, to convey his message. He suggests that poetry can help us see beyond the limitations of our reality and connect us to something greater than ourselves. He offers a vision of transcendence through poetry that is both hopeful and inspiring. Overall, "Poetry" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Paralysis: A Classic Poem by Rupert Brooke

Rupert Brooke, a renowned English poet, wrote the classic poem "Poetry Paralysis" in 1911. This poem is a perfect example of Brooke's style, which is characterized by its romanticism and idealism. The poem is a reflection on the power of poetry and the role it plays in our lives. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line, "Oh, it's easy enough to get into a rhyme." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a commentary on the ease with which we can fall into the trap of writing poetry that is superficial and meaningless. Brooke is suggesting that writing poetry is not just about finding words that rhyme, but about expressing something deeper and more meaningful.

The second stanza of the poem is where Brooke really begins to explore the idea of poetry paralysis. He writes, "But it's not so easy to get out of it again." Here, Brooke is suggesting that once we have fallen into the trap of writing superficial poetry, it can be difficult to break free from it. We become paralyzed by our own words and ideas, unable to express anything of real substance.

The third stanza of the poem is where Brooke really begins to delve into the power of poetry. He writes, "For poetry fetters you, fetters you tight, / And makes you content with your fetters." Here, Brooke is suggesting that poetry can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it can inspire us to create something beautiful and meaningful. On the other hand, it can also hold us back, preventing us from exploring new ideas and expressing ourselves in new ways.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where Brooke really begins to explore the idea of poetry as a form of escapism. He writes, "It's a refuge from life and its bitter strife, / A thing to be loved and caressed." Here, Brooke is suggesting that poetry can be a way for us to escape from the harsh realities of life. It can be a source of comfort and solace, a way for us to find meaning and purpose in a world that can often seem chaotic and confusing.

The fifth stanza of the poem is where Brooke really begins to explore the idea of poetry as a form of self-expression. He writes, "But it's more than a refuge, it's more than a creed, / It's a voice that is crying for utterance." Here, Brooke is suggesting that poetry can be a way for us to express ourselves in a way that is both powerful and meaningful. It can be a way for us to share our thoughts, feelings, and experiences with others, and to connect with them on a deeper level.

The final stanza of the poem is where Brooke really brings everything together. He writes, "So I'll sing my song, and I'll sing it strong, / And I'll sing it till I'm free." Here, Brooke is suggesting that the only way to break free from the paralysis of poetry is to keep writing, to keep expressing ourselves, and to keep exploring new ideas and experiences. Only then can we truly be free to create something beautiful and meaningful.

In conclusion, "Poetry Paralysis" is a classic poem that explores the power of poetry and the role it plays in our lives. Brooke's use of language and imagery is both powerful and evocative, and his message is one that is still relevant today. Whether we are writers, readers, or simply lovers of poetry, this poem reminds us of the importance of expressing ourselves in a way that is both authentic and meaningful. So let us all take inspiration from Brooke's words and continue to sing our songs, loud and strong, until we are free.

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