Poem Compare and Contrast - Essay Example

Introduction The different elements that are a part of poetry create various responses and perspectives that are seen throughout the poem. When comparing the poems “The Manis of the Forest” and “Rain,” it can be seen that there are both similarities and differences which arise. The similarities are based on giving the main point to the reader while showing the conditions that are occurring in a specific situation. However, the techniques, use of terminology and the ability to make this known to the reader come from different angles.

This creates the ideologies that are associated with the poetry and the perspective that the poet gives to the viewer. Contrastive Analysis The concepts that are read in “The Manis of the Forst” begin with the idea of being lost as an animal which becomes a pet. This is read through the last two lines, which states “Each thought I have of you now brings on tears / You forest child lost to me for years” (lines 13-14). This is the main point of the poem and is driven by the other techniques in the poem.

The similar meaning is given at the end of the poem in “Rain,” as it moves from the war type situation to the natural. Throughout the poem, the writer describes the khakis, phantoms, noise and flutter that are being dodged. At the end, this instantly changes to “No satellites, no radar, no infra-red / Only the sure sense of their foot / On their land, their trails, their mountains to the sky” (lines 16-18). This is the only time that the land is mentioned and changes the perspective from the unnatural to the natural.

Both poems show the same meaning of going back to the natural element; however, different techniques are used to show this point. The difference in both poems comes from the approach to writing the basic information for the reader. In “Manis of the Forest,” there is a formula which is used to describe the situation. The main concept is written in a sonnet form, which is inclusive of 3 stanzas of 4 lines each and one stanza of two lines. The rhyme scheme is a, b, a, b, c, d, c, d, e, f, e, f, g, g.

This is combined with techniques for description to show the loss of the natural and the idea of being an orphan. The poet does this in a narrative type form, which describes his observations of the mantis. The main point can be seen when the narrator states “You sought for mother now I realize / each time I switched the light to give you food / embrace me with long arms and searching eyes / to save yourself from total orphanhood” (lines 9-12). The narrative description is able to show the unnatural of the light, the orphan like state of the mantis and the response from the narrator.

These descriptions in story like form emphasize the main point of the poem. The techniques in the free form have to take a different role, specifically because there isn’t the constraint of rhyme scheme or stanza to place the main point. The poem, instead of divided by the rhymes and forms are depicted with one description per stanza. In each stanza, there is a description of the situation, actions and the setting, all which show the depiction of the narration. “It was no use pulling ponchos out / They made such noise and flutter / Like quail spooked to low flight by hunters” (lines 7-9).

This is an example of one thought, followed by a metaphor to describe the situation. The stanza then ends and moves to another stanza which carries this same formula. Instead of the ideas being placed into a rhyme or narrative form, it is based on describing a situation in each stanza to prove the main point. Critical Response When looking at both of the poems, it can be seen that there is the need to change the way in which the author writes down the main ideas. Both of the poems send a similar message and theme of moving outside of the natural.

However, the techniques that are used to show this differ, specifically because of the decision to use free form or a specific formula. In the formula based poem, there is a change with description, narrative form and the decision to describe things so it fits inside the stanzas and rhyme scheme. In the free form, this changes with the author having freedom to place one description in one stanza, which moves to the next stanza for the next description. This opens to different elements of narrative, metaphor and poetic responses.

While both are effective, each also contrasts in how the message is given to the reader. The ability to write poetry so that it conveys a specific message can be seen from different formulas and elements. When comparing a free form to a formula based poem, it can be seen that the emphasis of the main point is as effective in each. The universal theme can then be expected to remain the same, no matter what techniques are chosen by the author. However, this also means that different elements and techniques are required to show the meaning of a poem and to allow the reader to get the emphasis of the poem and the main meaning.

To convey a specific message, the author also has to use the different techniques that are able to get the point across about the poem.