“In the Long Hall” by Hayden Carruth

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 the technological advancements are impacting negatively to the natural environment and animal species. Carruth wanted to explore the different pattern 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 journey in which the humans struggle for their goals and purposes in life. Life is not a simple thing that could be easily understandable for the humans, and they are facing different changes in their lives as part of their routine activities. The human life is uncertain, and they have to face different scenarios and changes throughout their course of life. Even changes occur on a daily basis in the human lives. The ups and downs of the life are evitable and impact positively and negatively on the people. The poet states that “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 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 the life.

Stafford explained about the current world situation in which the humans are not having any soft corner for the animals and 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 deer he felt the liveliness of baby inside the deer. The poet states that “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 the nature vs. technology and in which the technology is impacting negatively to the world species including the 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 are portraying some meanings and lessons for the audience. Stafford depicted the modern life against with the wilderness of humans. The traditional pattern of the poem offers the audience towards 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 and rhythm. The metaphor that life should be going on is used by the author and provides several important elements such as the meaning of life.

Carruth wanted to explore the different pattern 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 are representing some lessons for the audience and providing a deep meaning that is hidden inside its 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.