Comparative Poetry Analysis
Katie Sperger Hour 2
Introduction
"If you are going out beware of mangoes And all such beautiful sweet things." is from the poem "Problem with Hurricanes" by Victor Hernandez Cruz, that shows us that innocent or sweet things may be dangerous. There are many things that show the authors style in the poems of "Ode to Enchanted Light" by Pablo Neruda and "Problems with Hurricanes" by Victor Hernandez Cruz, such as their tone and word choice, figurative language, and their structure form.
Tone and Word Choice
In the poem "Ode to Enchanted Light" the poet is describing nature with a respectful tone. For example, in lines 3-5," light like a green latticework o branches, shinning on every leaf, drifting down like clean white sand." So this is describing his respect and awe of natures work using the image of the sun "shining" through the "latticework of branches". In the poem "Problems with Hurricanes" the poet respects the power of the storm but also includes a bit of humor with it as well. For example, in lines 25-35 where it mentions the respect toward the," fury of the wind" and "all such beautiful sweet things" mentioning the flying fruit. In stanza 2 where it mentions the humor aspect to this. So this poem's word choice overall makes this poem a humorous but also has a serious tone to it as well.
Figurative Language
In the poem "Ode to Enchanted Light" it shows figurative language in metaphors, alliteration, simile, and imagery. For example, in line 15 it shows a metaphor comparing the world to "a glass overflowing with water" this affects the reader by realizing about the beautiful things in life. Also, for imagery the poet gives us the image of a latticework of branches in line 5. So, the figurative language gives this poem an airy but serious tone for the "a glass overflowing with water". In the poem " Problems with Hurricanes" it shows figurative language because the whole poem itself is a metaphor for the dangers of life. So this metaphor compares how these are "all such beautiful sweet things" as line 34 says. This affects the reader because it gives a very destruction tone of the storm.
Form and Structure
In the poem " Ode to Enchanted Light" it is organized by uneven stanzas which some are free verse. In lines 10-12 it shows a rhythm, and this effect gives the poem a cicada like sound using alliteration. An unusual feature is found in stanza 1 where it looks as if light is filtering down. In the poem "Problems with Hurricanes" it is organized by uneven stanzas and free verses in lines 13,21,19.. This poem has short and long lines, and one word lines that show a pause or break between points between lines 13 and 14, and 8 and 9.
Conclusion
In each poem both of the authors are describing nature in a respectful manner, in "Problems with Hurricanes" it is one big metaphor while "Ode to Enchanted Light has other figurative language. In "Ode to Enchanted Light" has a rhythm that sounds like a cicada while "Problems with Hurricanes" has one verse lines. In these poems the authors style affected the poems tone whether it was a more respectful poem or a humorous poem. Overall these poems do have messages, for example in "Problems with Hurricanes" it shows us to watch out for the innocent things, they may be dangerous, and in "Ode to Enchanted Light" it shows us that nature is precious and has a purpose.