Ap English Poetry Comparative Essay

Comparative Essay
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Write a comparative analysis of ‘An old man’s winter night’ by Robert Frost and ‘Lore’ by R.S. Thomas. Highlight each poet’s distinct attitude towards old age. Comment on the style through which the poets express how they feel about old age.

Both Frost and Thomas draw upon the theme of old age in their poems. However in ‘Lore’ the theme of old age is portrayed as a positive thing and the persona defies the stereotype. Whereas in ‘An old man’s winter night’ we are presented with the stereotype about old age and old age is portrayed in a more negative light.
In today’s society old age is often seen as a negative thing.
In ‘Lore’ Thomas uses Job to portray that old age is not a negative thing and that it can be thought of as a new beginning, particularly if one draws on the sustenance offered by nature.
However in ‘An old man’s winter night’ Frost thinks there is a fraught relationship between man and nature because in the poem the old man seems to fear nature, “and scared the outer night...” This is symbolic of the man’s fear of nature. ‘Lore’ has a regular rhyme scheme, whereas ‘An old man’s winter night’ has no specific rhyme scheme. The rhyming pattern in ‘Lore’ emphasises the rhythm of Jobs work, as when you read the poem its pace is upbeat and fast, just like Job.
Whereas in ‘An old man’s winter night’ there is only one stanza. This represents the old man’s separation from the rest of the world and nature. The poem is also a narrative poem which in contrast to ‘Lore’ is told in a third person view. This also adds to the sense of loneliness and separation from the rest of the world.
‘Lore’ and ‘An old man’s winter night’ both use enjambment, but to different effects. They also use parenthesis in their poems. However in ‘Lore’ the rhyme scheme emphasises Jobs rhythm of work. He also has a jump in his step while he is telling us about his life and
They also associate winter with death and portray nature as a harsh mistress. The rhetorical questions in ‘Lore’ are challenges to the reader, and this adds the feel of defiance. The image of “bearded” not only leads us to think of old age and old men but also shows the extent of Jobs immersion in nature. Thomas uses the images of “porridge” and “tea” which are both traditional hearty foods which help to add to the image of the old farmer. Colloquialisms make the character of Job seem more realistic. Also the image of dawn shows that age can be the start of something new and not something that should be looked down