POETRY ANALYSIS

POETIC DEVICES

SIMILE- A simile is a figure of speech in which a two dissimilar things is stated in an explicit way

using the words ‘as’ or ‘like’.

“Neither be cynical about love for in the face of all aridity and disenchatment it is as perennial as

the grass”

According to this part, love and grass are absolutely two dissimilar things, that have been compared

together. Love is compared to the perennial nature of the grass. It is mean to this part is the idea that the

grass and love grows on its own unconditionally and selflessly unique. The implication is that when life

becomes arid and monotonous, love will support people like the grass that grows throughout the year.

ALLITERATION- Alliteteration is the most close restatement of consonant sound, usually at the start

of words.

“Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark

imaginings.

THEME OF THE POEM

The Positive outlook towards the life, The note of positivivty and encouragement remains predominant

throughout the whole poem. The poet inspires us readers to stable the positive outlook in even the harsh

situations relating to career, love, loneliness, business and unfinished dreams or the cruel things in this

world . I want to critizise if for cruelties it possesses or you want to appreciate it for the beauty and joy

that spreads, it is totally up to us. One must remain in the good terms with his fellow human beings and

be a good listener too. This poem reminds us that we should be a good person or be kind and show

affectionately and be gentle with ourselves. You can’t expect other people to listen to you don’t listen to

what they have to say. There is a huge stress comes on maintaining inner peace and stay calm in every

situation. The poet says that in order to live a happy and meaningful life one must learn to avoid

negative people in their life and focus on a bright future ahead. The concept that the universe has plan

for every human being and that we all contribute in some way or the other to the magnificence that this

world is significally directs one to start believing has plan for every human being and that we all

contribute in some way or the other to the magnificence that this world is significally directs one to

start believing.
Belief in one’s own self throughout the poem, stress is laid on the acceptance of one self for what

he/she is. Once you start believing in yourself and learn more things and appreciate your own self and

be gentle to yourself and to other. The world would become a much easier place to live in. The poet ask

the readers not to compare themselves with other people that had a big problems. This poem says that

we must be content with our own worth and the basis of someone else’s terms. There will always be

people who are smarter than you, more talented than you. There will also be people who are less

succesful than us. One must stop paying heed to what other s do and focus on your inner self and aim for

a better dream and better life to fulfil your long-term goals.

Once we start believing in ourselves, we will be able to understand that the universe unfold in its own

way. We are all part of this magnificent universe and this cruel world and in everything works out fine.

It’s all part of a plan. One must maintain positivity and peaceful mind within ourselves. Positivity within

oneself play with the vital role in shaping the kind of life a person is going to lead.

TONE OF THE POEM

This poem “Desiderata” is an inspirational poem by Maxx Ehrmann in which he attempts to offer a

positive outlook towards life. The tone of having poem is didactic which is complemented by the use of

imperative sentences. The overall tone of the poem is very positive and inspiring the poems advices us

people to be kind and nice to others and be gentle and show affection and love to others and also to be a

good listener. He advises them to look at the world for the beauty that it possesses. According to him

loud and aggressive people who produce a negative impact on our lives must be ignored.The world is

balance of positivity and negativity and the poet tries to inspire his readers to look out for the good

things in the world.He inspires the reader to strive for more and happiness amidst all the misfortunes,

hypocrisy and broken dreams. He poet cautions the readers to b ecareful but in the same time, he asks

them not to overlook the beauty of this world he might get this part on us, There are too many things in

this world lot’s of beautyful creatures but, He suggests the readers to be kind to people and not compare

themselves with others. He advices them to accept themselves for who they are and maintain the inner

peace. The poet also warns them to not distress themselves with other and remain strong and calm.

Throughout the poem and the poet triesto encourage people from this cruel world to live there life in a

better and a constructive way, This might a big impact on me as a student to be a better version of

myself.

SUMMARY OF THE POEM

STANZA 1

“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far

as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.”

Its says here in the poem opens with a note of serenity and tranquillity in a world that is loud and chaotic

the poem advises people to “Go placidly” and he also reminds us that there is a peace in silence. The

poet asks us to “remember” the coolness and composure that is offered by silence. The poet speaks of

being on “good terms with all persons”. He tries to motivate and inspire with a tickle of his wisdom

words he is aware also in the cruel things of this world and hence says that we must be nice to others

“as far as possible without surrender”. In every prosaic tone the poet advices the readers not to

surrender the fight and he also advices his reader to speak the reality of this world.

STANZA 2

“Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with

others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than

yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans”

In the second stanza too the poet emphasizes on keeping calm. The poet believes that loud and

aggressive people are capable to disturbing one’s sense of being and thus, advices people to stay away

from them. The people possessing load and aggressive attributes might create a negative environment

around us that world hamper our state of being and irritate our mind and soul. In other words, He

advices us to keep our mind and soul. The poem possessing loud and aggressive attributes might create

a negative environment around us that would hamper our state and may ruin our perspective. He also

advices us to keep good company that won’t disturb your mental peace. The poet also asks people not to

compare themselves with others and be contented with who you are. There will always be people who

are better than us in some aspects and people who are worse than us and it’s llogical and unfair to

compare ourself we had a different kind of strenghts and weakness so that the poem asks to enjoy and

just celebrate our achievements but also look forward to the future and not to deviate from our ultimate

goals and plans ahead.

STANZA 3
“Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes

of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not

blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of

heroism.”

On the third stanza advices that to focus on our career no matter what happens on world we should face

it with all our hearts and be humble. No matter what profession you are in, It is important that we

dedicated and determined and find joy in it. We must remain careful for the world is full of evil people

who wish to manipulate and deceive others in order to get ahead of them, However we must not

overlook the beauty and virtues in the world. The poet advices to live meaningful life without being

tricked and wihout ignoring the goodness in the world. There are people with heroic temperment morals

and ethics who can make this world a better place to live in.

STANZA 4

“Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all

aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.”

Here in stanza four poet asks us to embrace ourselves for who we are . He ask us to avoid pretensions

and not fake love and affection and neither be a cynical about it be genuine. Feelings and emotions of

an individual are sensitive and fragile and one must mock them. Even amidst all the miserable, Hopeless

and stressful conditions in life, Love is like the perennial grass mentioned here.

STANZA 5

“Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark

imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle

with yourself.”

In this stanza,The poet presents the age as vital factor in our lives. We learn from the past and also had

experiences as we step up. Age gives us wisdom and certain authority to figure out what’s right and

what’s wrong. Youth is often associated with immaturity of passion and impulse and also the foolishness

and restlessness. The poet asks us not to cling the memories the past and learn from the “counsel of the

years” The use of the words “kindly and gracefully” suggests how men become wiser with age. While
the “strenght of spirit” is the strenght of our mind and soul. It is an inner feeling of powerful emotions

that help us to overcome any problems

STANZA 6

“You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And

whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”

This stanza opens with a philosophical note. The poet reminds us that we are a part of the universe. We

are as much a part of the universe, We all together make the universes and our existence has on earth.

This assertive tone in this particular stanz adds a lot of positivity. We are not supposed to be equipped

with the necessary skills to understand everything that goes around us. The universe is too powerful and

mysterious to be fathomed or controlled.

STANZA 7

“Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and

aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.”

This stanza asks us to be at peace and just have your faith on God, It is about to putting our faith in the

right place that give us a ray of hope and inspiration. The poet appeals broader audience by everybody

conception of God into different religions, Stay at his path and you will achieve these aspirations and

success, Staying true to your heart and maintain peace and harnony within yourself is pivotal step

achievig inner peace.

STANZA 8

“With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to

be happy.”

In this stanza he strike on the point that everything has a right path and keep hoping in this world

because he offer a outlook towards life and become your life meaningful and sincere we should be strive

for our happiness in this world full of cruel things.

CENTAL IDEA

Max Ehrmann in his motivational poem “Desiderata” at epmts to offer a positive vibes and outlook

towards our life and dream. Max Ehrmann tries to inspire us people to change our perception of the

world as cruel plae and appreciate the beauty of it. He advices to the readers to follow the certain

guidelines that would help them to lead a happy and fruitful life ahead he asks them to believe in

themselves ad be content with kind of person they are. It is crucial maintain peace within one self and

remain cheerful under circumtances we’ve been facing A desiderata offers a simple set of values to be

learn by as students such as values and the ethics and also the morals which are capable of making life

much happier, peaceful and meaningful.

 POETRY ANALYSIS

SUBMITTED BY: MENDOZA, JOHN CARLO B.

SECTION: XI-GALATIANS
SUBMITTED TO: BJARNE LEX FRANCIS AGHON