“The Quiet Life”
Alexander Pope
This poem describes finding one’s identity in a life of solitude, with only nature, and no society and influence from others. He says that man is best defined and content, “In his own ground. Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, whose flocks supply him with attire.” A place where man is self-sufficient and independent. He also refers to identity being best defined when, “not a stone tell where I lie.” He wants to live and die in solitude. The poet uses short phrases at the end of each stanza such as, “quiet by day,” or “with meditation,” to show the simplicity of life when lived independently, in the quiet.
“the Cambridge ladies who live in furnished souls”
E.E. Cummings
I chose this as my second poem because it is extremely similar to “The Quiet Life” in an incredibly opposite way. “The Quiet Life” talks of identity being best defined in an environment of solitude, self-sufficiency, and nature. “the Cambridge ladies who live in furnished souls” talks about people whose identities are defined solely by Cambridge, or a society. They are not interested in a lavender sky and the beauties of nature; they are only interested in things inside the box of Cambridge. Even if their box was cornerless, and included nature and other people they wouldn’t be interested because their identity is defined by Cambridge.
Interesting contrast. Society plays a central role in Cambridge, whereas Pope longs to escape its influence completely.
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