Analysis of the Poems Siren Song and Dover Beach - Essay Example

Comparative Analysis of the Poems “Siren Song” and “Dover Beach” Margaret Atwood’s “Siren Song” and Matthew Arnold’s “Dover Beach” are both depictive of an oceanic scene which may remind one of solitude for the vastness of the setting normally represents depth and the atmosphere conducive for a contemplative attitude. However, while Arnold projects an apparently serious tone in modifying the calm sea by night through “The eternal note of sadness in”, Atwood seems to vary the speaker’s pitch as she boldly expresses in plain terms “I don’t enjoy it here squatting on this island”.

It may be readily inferred that “Siren Song” is quite distinct from “Dover Beach” in that the author’s poetic approach deals with the ‘self’ as the poem’s ensuing theme whereas the latter is rather inclined to draw essence from outside of the self – that is, the surroundings from which to figure details in relation to the speaker. Alliterative sounds of Arnold’s piece are present in pairs: to-night, tide; full, fair; gleams, gone; coast, cliff – while with Atwood’s composition, “trio, fatal and valuable” indicates slight alliteration.

“Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled” serves as an attempt with simile by Arnold, nevertheless, Atwood prefers her style with “Siren Song” to be more straightforward so that it occurs somewhat deprived of metaphor. In “Dover Beach”, despite variation of rhyme and meter altogether line after line, the poignancy of its dramatic monologue chiefly forms the rhythm. The established rhythmic flow herein is utilized as Arnold necessitates it on bringing across his work’s central point which is to appeal for Christian faith to remain steadfast amidst the scientific revolution at the time.

To him, passion for Christianity makes “The Sea of Faith” which used to be “full, and round earth’s shore”. It is conspicuous that by his nature-based word choice to characterize theological devotion via the extent of the Dover beach, Arnold intends to exhibit how huge the world change has led the humanity to disillusionment against spiritual beliefs upon the emergence of modernization along with the theories regarding the evolution of life which is amply reflected in the latter portion of the poem as the third person speaker exclaims “for the world, which seems to lie before us like a land of dreams / So various, so beautiful, so new, / Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light” in parallel structure.

On the other hand, “Siren Song” seeks to liberate some untold sentiments, most likely of a woman, where a probable subject of romance is conveyed in a playful manner of teasing the reader whether or not the secret or the substance of the song’s lyrics be concealed any further. Atwood demonstrates the capacity to enable the audience to realize how the rich texture of her imagery in “looking picturesque and mythical with these two feathery maniacs” entails mystery since the “bird suit” is symbolic of a mask worn to hide one’s true character as in the seductress of the Greek myth.

The poet alludes that the mystic attribute of the song is what makes it special yet once revealed, just as feelings exposed, it loses meaning eventually. Like an ambulant siren which merely shrieks some warning and not create a single melody, Margaret divulges that such song “is a cry for help”. Works Cited Atwood, M. “Siren Song.” 2011. Web. 4 Nov 2011. http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/siren-song/. Arnold, M. “Dover Beach.” 3 Apr 2002. Web. 5 Nov 2011. http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/arnold/writings/doverbeach.html.