An Analysis of Gardners Collage of Echoes - Essay Example

In Collage of Echoes, the gender, and identity of the persona are not specified, thus for ease of interpretation, one may assume to use the author’s gender. The persona in the poem is doing self-talk or reflection. In the opening lines, she tells herself, “I have no promises to keep/Nor miles to go before I sleep” (1-2). These lines reveal that the persona has no obligations to accomplish, and no places to visit. Pleased with this thought, she expresses her intention to sleep or relax. Based on this, readers may think of the persona as a busy person, possibly an adult engaged in business, who, at the end of the day tells herself that she can sleep after she has accomplished her responsibilities. However, the repetition of the phrase, “no promises to keep” (7) could make the reader realize that a literal interpretation of the poem is not enough to deduce the author’s ideas, hence, a deeper level of analysis is needed.

            An analytical interpretation of the poem requires deducing of meaning based on the author’s use of literary devices. Noticeably, the first and the last two lines of the poem employ rhymes that capture the reader’s attention. However, the rhymes do not just capture attention but suggest ease and comfort. The persona is trying to comfort herself with the thought that she has no promises made to stop her from sleeping. In the second line, “miles” is used as a hyperbole to suggest another term. Surely, one should not think of traveling miles before sleeping. As such, “miles” may refer to the distance of time instead of place. Following this thought, readers may notice the metonymy in the second line, with the use of the term, “sleep” to mean “die” Having realized that she does not have promises to be fulfilled or responsibilities to leave behind and that she has “traveled” or lived for a long time, the persona resigns herself to death. The third line confirms that the distance traveled is the distance of time, “miles of years I have made promises” (3). Therefore, the third line suggests the persona’s old age and readiness to die. In addition to old age, the thought that she has kept most of her promises appeases the persona to submit to dying. These two notions, old age and responsibility present the author’s use of catharsis. Catharsis is another literary device that serves to tie up all loose endings. Despite the modernity of ideas, the thought of submitting oneself to death is still taboo in society. Related to this, the author chooses to introduce catharsis by citing old age and self-fulfillment as reasons to submit to death.

            Gardner’s use of literary devices makes the poem express a deeper meaning, leading the readers to a deeper insight not only into the persona but about life. As the poem suggests, the tired, old woman who finds herself free of life’s obligations comfortably embraces death as if it is as easy as sleeping. Reflecting on this experience, readers may deem it an important consideration to fulfill their everyday obligations before they reach old age to achieve the same feeling of complacency before they reach their death bed at a later time.