The story written by Joaquin Miller titled "Californian" which is from "Songs of the Sierra" is a writing that has fantastic imagery within the piece.
"Behold the ocean on the beach
Kneel lowly down as if in prayer.
I hear a moan as of despair,
While far at sea do toss and reach
Some things so like white pleading hands.
The ocean's thin and hoary hair
Is trail'd along the silver'd sands,
At every sigh and sounding moan.
'Tis not a place for mirthfulness,
But meditation deep, and prayer,
And kneelings on the salted sod,
Where man must own his littleness
And know the mightiness of God.
The very birds shriek in distress
And sound the ocean's monotone." (Joaquin Miller, "Californian", 233).
I chose this passage because of the vivid imagery that's used in this passage alone. The imagery and the feeling that this passage creates is truly remarkable. Personally, I imagine a beach like Monterey with its dark almost silvery gray color and the calm waves crashing over an overcast yet beautiful sunset. The feeling that you get while reading this is serenity, like just looking out to the calm waves and having a cool breeze rolling through with the smell of salt water. The imagery within this passage creates just a beautiful scene in the mind that relaxes you. Another feeling that this passage creates is a sense of powerlessness and tininess. When it talks about realizing the littleness of man and the might of God, it really creates that sense of tininess and powerlessness. He basically states that the power of the ocean shows the might of God and to have that comparison means that we truly are insignificant to the power and might of the ocean. Then it talks about owning our littleness compared to the ocean and that's a phrase that is pretty hard to fathom. It feels mind boggling to realize how large and mighty the ocean is compared to a human, like we are tiny ants compared to the size of the ocean. Overall, I feel like this story had incredibly imagery that invoked a lot of feelings.
Happy Friday Austin! I really enjoyed reading your analysis of this poem. I have noticed that is it difficult for me to write about these poems for my notes and analysis, however you break it down well and share a lot of the feelings and images it creates for you. I really enjoy it and will try to do a poem in the next few weeks. You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteHi, Austin!
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome when people analyze poems. In my opinion, poems are so deep and complicated, so I'm always avoiding them. Even taking notes about them is hard, analyzing them is even harder.
I haven't read this poem; however, I found it interesting in reading your analysis. I like how you broke down the passage, the words that you used made your analysis so colorful, and I love it! I also found it amazing the comparison of the ocean and the might of God.
Thank you for sharing this post!
Hi Austin,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this reading as well. I saved a few quotes in my reading notes. I appreciated your analysis of this writing. I agree that the picture he painted was one of serenity and becoming fully aware of how insignificant we are as individuals in such a vast world. It makes one appreciate their surroundings so much more if they could only slow down long enough to realize the beauty around them. Well done!