Presentation of Memory in Edward Thomas' Old Man
Discuss ways in which Thomas presents memory in ‘Old Man’ in your answer; explore the effects of language, imagery and verse form.
Jan Marsh says ‘the sense of searching (for the) mislaid key, is the central theme to Thomas’ life and works’ This critical quotation is accurate as this central theme is portrayed throughout Thomas’ poetry. In Old Man Edward Thomas contrasts age with youth and explores memory as he looks back on his daughter plucking the old mans bush. The lack of consciousness within his daughter and the innocence triggers the thought of remembrance. Thomas begins to think will she remember picking the plant when she is older.
The poem starts with almost a third person, authoritative tone speaking about the properties of the herb. The last line of the first stanza is personal, first person ‘And yet I like...’ and the poem is first person throughout. The use of present tense adds immediacy and emotional impact and creates a tension between the now as the poet muses on the herb and the child ‘picks’ it; his thoughts of the past and his speculations about the child’s (and his own) future.
The form of the poem Old Man is one way in which Thomas presents memory the structure of the line ‘Old man or Lads-love - - in the name there’s nothing’ uses iambic pentameter however the line ends in an unstressed syllable as opposed to a stressed syllable which is typically used in iambic pentameter, this is characteristic of Thomas who frequently played with traditional poetic structures. This presents memory as the irregularity could represent the irregularity of Thomas’ memories, perhaps Thomas is unable to remember the past as vividly as he would like to or he is unable to remember back to an age of lack of self-consciousness. Thomas was a very self conscious person who always doubted himself and was unable to make decisions without dithering; the image of his daughter so care free caused him to reflect and try to strive towards the age of innocence.
Jan Marsh says ‘the sense of searching (for the) mislaid key, is the central theme to Thomas’ life and works’ This critical quotation is accurate as this central theme is portrayed throughout Thomas’ poetry. In Old Man Edward Thomas contrasts age with youth and explores memory as he looks back on his daughter plucking the old mans bush. The lack of consciousness within his daughter and the innocence triggers the thought of remembrance. Thomas begins to think will she remember picking the plant when she is older.
The poem starts with almost a third person, authoritative tone speaking about the properties of the herb. The last line of the first stanza is personal, first person ‘And yet I like...’ and the poem is first person throughout. The use of present tense adds immediacy and emotional impact and creates a tension between the now as the poet muses on the herb and the child ‘picks’ it; his thoughts of the past and his speculations about the child’s (and his own) future.
The form of the poem Old Man is one way in which Thomas presents memory the structure of the line ‘Old man or Lads-love - - in the name there’s nothing’ uses iambic pentameter however the line ends in an unstressed syllable as opposed to a stressed syllable which is typically used in iambic pentameter, this is characteristic of Thomas who frequently played with traditional poetic structures. This presents memory as the irregularity could represent the irregularity of Thomas’ memories, perhaps Thomas is unable to remember the past as vividly as he would like to or he is unable to remember back to an age of lack of self-consciousness. Thomas was a very self conscious person who always doubted himself and was unable to make decisions without dithering; the image of his daughter so care free caused him to reflect and try to strive towards the age of innocence.