In the Long Hall is a poem written by Hayden Carruth based on the explanation of different life stages. On the contrary, Travelling through the Dark is another poem written by William Stafford, based on modern world scenarios in which technological advancements are negatively impacting the natural environment and animal species. Carruth wanted to explore the different patterns of life stages with short moments of stability, whereas Stafford wanted his audience to consider the importance of animal life and one should never leave the factors of humanity just due to the advanced technologies in the world.
Carruth explained his perspectives of life’s journey, in which humans struggle for their goals and purposes. Life is not a simple thing that can be easily understood by humans, and they face different changes in their lives as part of their routine activities. Human life is uncertain, and they have to face different scenarios and changes throughout the course of life. Even changes occur on a daily basis in the human lives. The ups and downs of life are inevitable and have positive and negative impacts on people. The poet states, “He resolved not to look back/ but to keep going ahead, as he did/successfully for a long time” (8-10). It shows the meaning and purpose of life that it is all about moving on. The changes and circumstances of life play an important role in one’s life and teach one to win or lose the battles of life. Moreover, the author states that “He worked as fast as/ he could with trembling fingers/in futility, in frenzy, and in despair” (24-26). It shows the consistent human struggle towards life.
Stafford explained the current world situation in which humans do not have any soft corners for animals and are becoming technological due to the advancements in technology. In the poem, a driver found a dead deer that was pregnant and hit by a car. The poet states, “My fingers touching her side brought me the reason/ her side was warm; her fawn lay there waiting/ alive, still, never to be born” (9-11). The deer was killed in the road accident, but the baby inside his body was alive. When the author touched the body of the deer, he felt the liveliness of a baby inside the deer. The poet states, “I dragged her off; she was large in the belly” (8). It was a real experience by Stafford, and in the poem, he used different patterns of controversial aspects. The major theme of the poem is nature vs technology, in which technology is negatively impacting the world species, including innocent animals. The poet wanted to convey an important message to the audience that technology should never be the one that could impact the human factors of humans and humans should consider these aspects.
Both poems portray some meanings and lessons for the audience. Stafford depicted modern life against the wilderness of humans. The traditional pattern of the poem offers the audience a deep understanding and meaning. There are no rhyme factors, and the poem includes 18 lines based on five stanzas. Half rhymes, harmony, and alliteration are some factors that are used by the poet in the poem. The other poem by Carruth is extremely melancholic, and the poet used the free-versed method to write the poem. Metaphors are used with no particular rhyme or rhythm. The author uses the metaphor that life should be going on and provides several important elements, such as the meaning of life.
Carruth wanted to explore the different patterns of life stages with short moments of stability, whereas Stafford wanted his audience to consider the importance of animal life and one should never leave the factors of humanity just due to the advanced technologies in the world. Both poems represent some lessons for the audience and provide a deep meaning that is hidden inside their words.
Works Cited
“In The Long Hall Poem By Emmanuel George Cefai – Poem Hunter.” PoemHunter.com. N.p., 2018. Web. 15 Apr. 2018.
Spacey, Andrew. “Analysis Of Poem “Traveling Through The Dark” By William Stafford.” Owlcation. N.p., 2017. Web. 15 Apr. 2018.
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