'Expect Nothing' by Alice Walker
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Revolutionary Petunias & Other PoemsExpect nothing. Live frugally
On surprise.
become a stranger
To need of pity
Or, if compassion be freely
Given out
Take only enough
Stop short of urge to plead
Then purge away the need.Wish for nothing larger
Than your own small heart
Or greater than a star;
Tame wild disappointment
With caress unmoved and cold
Make of it a parka
For your soul.Discover the reason why
So tiny human midget
Exists at all
So scared unwise
But expect nothing. Live frugally
On surprise.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Expect Nothing: A Literary Criticism
Alice Walker is a renowned American author, activist, and feminist. She has written several books, including The Color Purple, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1983. However, her poetry is often overlooked, and one of the most underrated pieces of her work is "Expect Nothing." In this literary criticism, we will analyze the poem and interpret its meaning.
The Poem
"Expect Nothing" is a short poem that consists of three stanzas. The first stanza sets the tone of the poem, and the second and third stanzas provide an explanation of the first stanza. The poem reads:
Expect nothing. Live frugally
On surprise.
Become a stranger
To need of pity
Or, if compassion be freely
Given out
Take only enough
Stop short of urge to plead
Then purge away the need.
Wish for nothing larger
Than your own small heart
Or greater than a star;
Tame wild disappointment
With caress unmoved and cold
Make of it a parka
For your soul.
Discover the reason why
So tiny human midget
Exists at all
So scared unwise
But expect nothing. Live frugally
On surprise.
Interpretation
At first glance, "Expect Nothing" may seem like a pessimistic poem, but it is quite the opposite. The poem is a call to live a simple life and not expect too much. The first stanza, "Expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise. Become a stranger to need of pity," is a reminder that we should not have high expectations in life. We should live in the present and enjoy the surprises that life has to offer. We should not rely on others to fulfill our needs or feel sorry for us.
The second stanza, "Or, if compassion be freely given out, take only enough; stop short of urge to plead; then purge away the need," is a warning against dependency. We should not take advantage of others' kindness or expect them to fulfill our every need. We should take what we need and be satisfied with it. We should not plead for more or become dependent on others.
The third stanza, "Wish for nothing larger than your own small heart or greater than a star; tame wild disappointment with caress unmoved and cold; make of it a parka for your soul. Discover the reason why so tiny human midget exists at all; so scared unwise," is a call to find inner peace. We should not wish for things that are beyond our control or expect too much from life. We should learn to accept disappointment and use it as a shield to protect our souls. We should also reflect on our existence and find meaning in our lives.
The last line of the poem, "But expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise," is a reminder to live in the present and enjoy the surprises that life has to offer. We should not have high expectations or rely on others to fulfill our needs. We should live a simple life and find happiness in the small things.
Literary Devices
"Expect Nothing" is a well-crafted poem that uses various literary devices to convey its message. The poem uses repetition, imagery, and symbolism to create a powerful effect.
The repetition of the phrase "expect nothing" throughout the poem emphasizes the importance of not having high expectations in life. The repetition of the phrase also creates a rhythm that makes the poem easy to read and remember.
The imagery in the poem is rich and vivid. The image of living "frugally on surprise" and becoming "a stranger to need of pity" paints a picture of a simple and content life. The image of "taming wild disappointment with caress unmoved and cold" creates a contrast between the chaos of disappointment and the calmness of acceptance.
The symbolism in the poem is also powerful. The "parka for your soul" symbolizes the protection that disappointment can provide us. The "small heart" and "greater than a star" symbolize the importance of finding happiness in the small things in life and not wishing for things that are beyond our control. The "reason why so tiny human midget exists at all" is a reminder of our existence and the need to find meaning in our lives.
Conclusion
"Expect Nothing" is a beautiful poem that reminds us to live a simple life and not have high expectations in life. The poem encourages us to find happiness in the small things in life and not rely on others to fulfill our needs. The poem also reminds us to accept disappointment and find meaning in our existence. The poem is a powerful reminder to live in the present and enjoy the surprises that life has to offer.
Alice Walker's "Expect Nothing" is a masterpiece that should not be overlooked. The poem is a testament to her skills as a writer and her ability to convey powerful messages through her words. It is a poem that will resonate with readers for years to come and continue to inspire us to live a simple and content life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to move people, to inspire them, and to make them feel a range of emotions. Alice Walker's poem "Expect Nothing" is a perfect example of this. This classic poem is a beautiful and powerful piece of literature that has touched the hearts of many readers over the years. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of this poem, and why it continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem "Expect Nothing" is a short but powerful piece of literature that captures the essence of life. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience, and the struggles that we all face in our journey through life. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of freedom and spontaneity, which is fitting for the message that it conveys.
The poem begins with the line "Expect nothing." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, and it is a powerful statement that challenges the reader to let go of their expectations. The poem goes on to describe the beauty of the world around us, and the many wonders that we can experience if we are open to them. The poem encourages us to embrace life, to live in the moment, and to appreciate the simple things that make life worth living.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of imagery. Alice Walker is a master of using vivid and powerful imagery to convey her message. In "Expect Nothing," she uses imagery to paint a picture of the world around us, and to show us the beauty that we can find if we are willing to look for it. For example, she writes:
"Expect nothing. Live frugally On surprise."
This line is a perfect example of the power of imagery. The image of living "frugally on surprise" is a beautiful and powerful one. It suggests that we should be open to the unexpected, and that we should embrace the surprises that life has to offer. It also suggests that we should not be attached to material possessions or worldly desires, but rather focus on the simple pleasures of life.
Another powerful image in the poem is the image of the bird. Alice Walker writes:
"A bird's flashiness can Make you forget The world You came from."
This image is a beautiful one, and it speaks to the power of nature to transport us to another world. The image of the bird's flashiness is a reminder that there is beauty all around us, and that we should take the time to appreciate it. It also suggests that we should not be so focused on our own problems and worries that we forget the beauty of the world around us.
The poem also touches on the theme of acceptance. Alice Walker writes:
"Expect nothing. Live frugally On surprise. become a stranger To need of pity Or, if compassion be freely Given out Take only enough Stop short of urge to plead Then purge away the need."
This passage is a powerful reminder that we should not be attached to our own needs and desires. It suggests that we should be content with what we have, and that we should not seek pity or compassion from others. Instead, we should be self-sufficient and independent, and we should only take what we need. This is a powerful message of acceptance, and it encourages us to let go of our own ego and to embrace the world around us.
In conclusion, "Expect Nothing" is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human experience. It is a poem that challenges us to let go of our expectations, to embrace life, and to appreciate the simple things that make life worth living. It is a poem that encourages us to be open to the unexpected, to embrace the beauty of nature, and to be content with what we have. It is a poem that reminds us of the power of acceptance, and the importance of letting go of our own ego. Alice Walker's "Expect Nothing" is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move readers today, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to touch the human heart.
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