Research Paper On Edwin Muir
23/10/14
Edwin Muir
Muir's poetry often deals with ideas of displacement and disorder caused by man. Discuss Muir's treatment of these themes in 3 or 4 of his poems.
Across his poetry a variety of Edwin Muir's work deals with the themes of displacement and disorder. This can be seen clearly in his war poetry, such as; The Wayside Station, The River, and The Refugees, from his 1943 collection The Narrow Place. These poems largely focus on the destruction of families and communities, and the areas and homes of these people. Through the use of literary techniques and overarching themes throughout these poems Muir eloquently reflects the ideas of destruction and disorder and their effects on Man.
The first poem to be looked …show more content…
We see here an example of the displacement of war on a close, personal level, the family is being separated as the young man is sent to fight. A very vivid depiction of the boy is created, as he appears completely ready for war, furthermore the use of sibilance, “Bristling with spikes and spits and bolts of steel...” creates a harsh and aggressive sound, as if the young man is ready to fight, turned into a machine of war. As we see “the stream flows on” to the next section, describing the effects of war on a small …show more content…
Refugees are described as they flee their homes, trying to bring their religion with them as it may no longer welcomed in their conquered homelands. However we see that it is in vain, as they have “no destination”; nowhere is safe from the sin of man, and the conflict he will bring with him. Ironically, all of the pain and suffering cause by the war is pointless, as the happiness and worth of the conquered lands has been sucked out by hardship: “...do not know why all is dead and life has hidden itself...” The last section of the poem may be seen as having a double meaning:
“The stream flows on into what land, what peace,
Far past the other side of the burning world?”
At first we see a pessimistic attitude, as it seems there is nowhere safe left on Earth, referring to it as a “burning world” also creates an idea of hell, as if Man's sin has manifested itself physically, and will punish all of humanity. However the fact that it is a question creates uncertainty, that things do not necessarily have to be this way, and could be different given the right circumstances, showing once again, hope for humanity. Additionally the fact that the stream continues to flow shows that it is not the end of the world, that time will pass and things may get better.
Another poem to deal with themes of displacement and disorder is The Refugees. The poem begins by illustrating the beginnings of danger and
Edwin Muir
Muir's poetry often deals with ideas of displacement and disorder caused by man. Discuss Muir's treatment of these themes in 3 or 4 of his poems.
Across his poetry a variety of Edwin Muir's work deals with the themes of displacement and disorder. This can be seen clearly in his war poetry, such as; The Wayside Station, The River, and The Refugees, from his 1943 collection The Narrow Place. These poems largely focus on the destruction of families and communities, and the areas and homes of these people. Through the use of literary techniques and overarching themes throughout these poems Muir eloquently reflects the ideas of destruction and disorder and their effects on Man.
The first poem to be looked …show more content…
We see here an example of the displacement of war on a close, personal level, the family is being separated as the young man is sent to fight. A very vivid depiction of the boy is created, as he appears completely ready for war, furthermore the use of sibilance, “Bristling with spikes and spits and bolts of steel...” creates a harsh and aggressive sound, as if the young man is ready to fight, turned into a machine of war. As we see “the stream flows on” to the next section, describing the effects of war on a small …show more content…
Refugees are described as they flee their homes, trying to bring their religion with them as it may no longer welcomed in their conquered homelands. However we see that it is in vain, as they have “no destination”; nowhere is safe from the sin of man, and the conflict he will bring with him. Ironically, all of the pain and suffering cause by the war is pointless, as the happiness and worth of the conquered lands has been sucked out by hardship: “...do not know why all is dead and life has hidden itself...” The last section of the poem may be seen as having a double meaning:
“The stream flows on into what land, what peace,
Far past the other side of the burning world?”
At first we see a pessimistic attitude, as it seems there is nowhere safe left on Earth, referring to it as a “burning world” also creates an idea of hell, as if Man's sin has manifested itself physically, and will punish all of humanity. However the fact that it is a question creates uncertainty, that things do not necessarily have to be this way, and could be different given the right circumstances, showing once again, hope for humanity. Additionally the fact that the stream continues to flow shows that it is not the end of the world, that time will pass and things may get better.
Another poem to deal with themes of displacement and disorder is The Refugees. The poem begins by illustrating the beginnings of danger and