A rip tide is raging

And the lifeguard is away

But the ocean doesn’t want me today

The ocean doesn’t want me today.

Comment

1. Pick out the line, which represents the leit-motif of the song. What idea is expressed by it? What trope is used here to reinforce the idea?

2. Analyse lines 5–8 and describe the man’s inner state. What is meant by “the mischievous brain-gels”? Why is the ocean associated with “ the endless blue wine”? What does the man want to do judging by lines 7–8?

3. Read lines 9–15 and find the key element, which explains the man’s decision. What is it?

4. In lines 16–17 we see perfect conditions for the man’s decision, still something is in the way. What is wrong? Has it changed the man’s mind? Give your reasons.

5. Speak about your impressions of the song.

Checking Your Progress

Exercise 5.9. Read the given poems by William Blake (1757-1827) and, using your skills of analysis, comment upon them. While working, take into account the literary trend W. Blake belongs to, as well as your own perception of the poems.

Merlin’s Prophecy

The harvest shall flourish in wintry weather

When two Virginities meet together:

The king and the priest must be ties in a tether

Before two Virgins can meet together.

Day

The sun arises in the East,

Clothed in robes of blood and gold;

Swords and spears and wrath increased

All round his bosom rolled,

Crowned with warlike fires and raging desires.

Exercise 5.10. Read one the most famous poems “anyone lived in a pretty how town” by E.E. Cummings, in which the poet often uses verbs as nouns to create a double effect to give freshness and dynamism to the words. Give your analysis of the poem, regarding it as a love story or fable rather than a playful exercise in linguistics.

anyone lived in a pretty how town

(with up so floating many bells down)

spring summer autumn winter

he sang his didn’t he danced his did.

Women and men (both little and small)

cared for anyone not at all

they sowed their isn’t they reaped their same

sun moon stars rain

children guessed (but only a few

and down they forgot as up they grew

autumn winter spring summer)

that no one loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf

she laughed his joy she cried his grief

bird by snow and stir by still

anyone’s any was all to her

someones married their everyones

laughed their cryings and did their dance

(sleep wake hope and then0 they

said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon

(an only the snow can begin to explain

how children are apt to forget to remember

with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died I guess

(and no one stooped to kiss his face)

busy folk buried them side by side

little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep

and more by more they dream their sleep

no one and anyone earth by April

wish by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men (both dong and ding)

summer autumn winter spring

reaped their sowing and went their came

sun moo stars rain.

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