Alongside the character's loss of innocence, other supporting themes are present, such as drug abuse, the passage of time, and violence. ... It can be said that these two ideas are used to juxtapose each other to illustrate loss of innocence. ... The theme of the passage of time is elementary to a 'coming of age' story. The repetitive usage of "when" and the use of past tense in first stanza, as well as the change in the tense to present in the third and fourth stanzas suggest that the author was reminiscing about a summer before he lost his innocence. ... " The...

• Word Count: 809
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The contemplative and solemn tone exhibits the serious nature of the poem as the speaker reflects on life, aging and mortality through Harwood's use of natural imagery. ... Harwood's utilisation of the word "rattl[e]" not only evokes the sound of the shells but also reiterates the connotations of childhood toys and innocence previously suggested by the simile "like a doll". ... Emphasis on the speaker's approach to middle-age is achieved through the utilisation of the word "autumn", which often symbolises maturity, middle age and the harvest of a ...

• Word Count: 856
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

He still stays active in the poetry world whether it be teaching, analyzing poems, or even writing poems at the age of 73. ... But the youth does not know of this tragedy, because Collins says the teacher wants to "preserves" the kids innocence. ... The theme then is youth innocence. Collins shows this in the essay multiple ways, but what the reader must decide is whether this innocence is good or bad for the adults of tomorrow. ... This essay is a message to all who deprive their children of the truth and try and put their innocence instead of their knowledge. ...

• Word Count: 898
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

They revolted against the artificial declamatory speeches and formal language of the neoclassical age. ... The main theme of "Ode on Intimations of Immortality" is searching for comfort or peace while realizing the loss of childhood innocence and lack of constraint. Wordsworth saw the purity and innocence in children and illustrated it in lines 63 through 67. ... Wordsworth also saw, however, how this innocence and purity was corrupted by civilization. ... Stanza VII continues illustrating this corruption and loss of innocence by describing some of the roles that the child will play throughout...

• Word Count: 956
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

In his best works, "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience," Blake uses his poetic talent to address the political and relgious ideas of his age. The poems "The Lamb" and "The Tyger," published in Songs of Innocence and of Experience, uses the symbolism of two different animals to explain how all things, good and evil, come from God. ...

• Word Count: 582
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

In the second part he questions his memories because of age, he is not sure the feeling is the same. ... He first describes the innocence of his childhood, then his disparity and vanity of old age and lastly, the purity of his sister. ... Wordsworth used it to express innocence and purity. ...

• Word Count: 702
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

In "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience", Blake explored unconventional ideas of the nature of God and religion and tried to unite, or balance, his concept of innocence and experience as two different states of life and the human soul. Both "The Lamb" (Songs of Innocence) and its contrary "The Tyger" ("Songs of Experience") invite the reader to consider God and creation in different ways. ... The reference to the stars or heavens may symbolise the rigid "laws" imposed on man and poet in the preceding age of reason and restriction, whilst their weeping shows the breakdown of these ba...

• Word Count: 1115
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

'Wild Swans at Coole' provides a poignant reverie on the poet's own transient existence and his growing awareness of the passing of time, setting up a seemingly irreconcilable gap between the beauty and vigour of lost youth and the imperfections of aging. ... The nature and persona's recognition of mortality brings the poem to a sombre conclusion as the physical distance between the poet and swans represents the vast metaphysical gap between the mortal and the immortal In Among School Children Yeats begins with a similar duality of youth and age but moves to a more profoun...

• Word Count: 892
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Graduate

A couple of days ago I was cleaning out my now unused study - recently I have been finding other places to write, my bed, the bathroom, even in the bath, as the portability of the laptop proves very convenient - and I stumbled upon a book, well read, yet discarded in my 'old age'. ... Here the persona is middle aged and is confronting her father"'"s age and mortality '"'your marvellous journey"'"s done'"'. Her reluctance to accept the closeness of her father"'"s death is portrayed through her yearning ...

• Word Count: 743
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Shortly after in the eighth stanza Time begins to also represent aging and death. In addition, the twelfth stanza Auden alludes to nursery rhyme, "Jack and Jill," to refer to a loss of innocence and offer an insinuation towards Heaven. ... For example, " The years shall run like rabbits, for in my arms I hold the Flower of the Ages ." ...

• Word Count: 685
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School