The Quiet Life
I chose this poem because it was about finding satisfaction
in the quiet, something I can relate to. This poem basically discuses how life
is not measured by what you do, but rather by how you live it, saying a man is
truly happy if he is “content to breathe his native air in his own ground.” I
get a sense of bliss while reading this poem from phrase like “sound sleep by
night, study and ease.” When the speaker says “let me live, unseen” he is not
saying that his life is defined by his quietness, but rather his quietness
defines his life. This entire poem allows the reader to understand the
happiness the speaker finds in his own peaceful company, an example of his
personal identity.
I’m Nobody! Who are
you?
I chose this poem because I immediately recognized Emily
Dickinson. The identity of the speaker is clearly shown through her
exclamations, such as “I’m Nobody!” These exclamations show the speaker is
proud of who she is, even if society thinks she is a “nobody.” She further exemplifies
her thoughts by mentioning “how dreary – to be – somebody!” However, just because
she is proud of being a nobody means she wants to be a somebody – “Don’t tell! They’d
advertise – you know!” This shows she is content with who she is and doesn’t
want to be anything else. I connected with this poem because I think there is
more satisfaction in keeping to you than exposing yourself to the word and
standing out in the crowd.
The message of the first poem is that a happy life is one
that is made by the person and not by society. The message of the second poem
takes this a step further, saying a happy life is only happy when kept away
from the public. They are both the same in that they show happiness comes from
within and cannot be dictated by outsides.
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