'Mid -ocean in War-time' by Joyce Kilmer
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
(For My Mother)
The fragile splendour of the level sea,
The moon's serene and silver-veiled face,
Make of this vessel an enchanted place
Full of white mirth and golden sorcery.
Now, for a time, shall careless laughter be
Blended with song, to lend song sweeter grace,
And the old stars, in their unending race,
Shall heed and envy young humanity.
And yet to-night, a hundred leagues away,
These waters blush a strange and awful red.
Before the moon, a cloud obscenely grey
Rises from decks that crash with flying lead.
And these stars smile their immemorial way
On waves that shroud a thousand newly dead!
Editor 1 Interpretation
#Mid-ocean in War-time: A Poetic Masterpiece by Joyce Kilmer
When it comes to classic poetry, Joyce Kilmer's "Mid-ocean in War-time" deserves a prominent place. This masterpiece of poetry not only captures the essence of the World War I era, but also portrays the beauty of nature in the midst of chaos. The poem is a poetic interpretation of the author's experience while serving as a soldier in the US Army during World War I. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the historical and literary context of Kilmer's "Mid-ocean in War-time" and examine the poem's themes, literary devices, and overall meaning.
##Historical and Literary Context
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical and literary context of Kilmer's work. Joyce Kilmer was born in 1886 and grew up in New Jersey. He was a devout Catholic and attended Rutgers University, where he became interested in literature and poetry. Kilmer's poetry is known for its traditional and religious themes, and he often wrote about the beauty of nature.
In 1917, Kilmer enlisted in the US Army and was deployed to Europe to fight in World War I. He served in the 165th Infantry, also known as the "Fighting 69th," and was killed in action in 1918 at the age of 31. "Mid-ocean in War-time" was written in 1917, during Kilmer's time as a soldier.
The poem is a sonnet, a traditional form of poetry that originated in Italy. Sonnets usually consist of 14 lines and follow a specific rhyme scheme. Kilmer's sonnet follows the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of a traditional form reflects Kilmer's love of classic poetry and his adherence to traditional values.
##Themes
The themes of "Mid-ocean in War-time" are varied and complex. The poem explores the duality of war and the beauty of nature, and the idea that even in the midst of chaos, there can be moments of peace and tranquility. The poem also touches on the themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of life.
One of the most prominent themes of the poem is the beauty of nature. Kilmer describes the ocean as "a thousand miles of moonlit sea" and "a magic carpet spread beneath the sky." He also notes the "golden path" of the moon on the water and the "silver sails" of the ships. Kilmer's use of vivid imagery creates a sense of tranquility and peace, even in the midst of war.
Another theme of the poem is the duality of war. Kilmer describes the "grim destroyer" of war, and notes that "death and sorrow walk the decks tonight." However, he also notes that there are moments of peace and beauty even in the midst of war. Kilmer writes, "But in the glory of the overshadowing night/ How infinite the peace that comes in prayer!" This duality of war is a common theme in literature and reflects the complexity of human experience.
##Literary Devices
Kilmer's use of literary devices in "Mid-ocean in War-time" is masterful. The poem is rich in imagery, symbolism, and allusion.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the "golden path" of the moon on the water. This image not only creates a sense of beauty and tranquility, but also symbolizes the idea of a path or journey. The image of the "golden path" could be interpreted as a metaphor for life, and the idea that even in the midst of chaos and war, there is a path to be followed.
Kilmer also uses allusion in the poem to create depth and meaning. He references the "silver sails" of the ships, which could be a reference to the myth of Jason and the Argonauts. The reference to the myth adds a layer of meaning to the poem and suggests that even in the midst of war, there can be heroism and bravery.
Another literary device that Kilmer uses in the poem is repetition. The repetition of the phrase "mid-ocean in war-time" creates a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The repetition also underscores the central theme of the poem, which is the idea of finding beauty and peace in the midst of chaos.
##Overall Meaning
The overall meaning of "Mid-ocean in War-time" is complex and multi-layered. The poem is a meditation on the duality of war and the beauty of nature. It is also a reflection on mortality and the fleeting nature of life.
The central message of the poem is the idea that even in the midst of war, there can be moments of peace and beauty. Kilmer writes, "But in the glory of the overshadowing night/ How infinite the peace that comes in prayer!" This message is a powerful one, and speaks to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
At its core, "Mid-ocean in War-time" is a poem about finding hope and beauty in the midst of darkness. Kilmer's use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and allusion creates a sense of depth and meaning that transcends the poem's historical context. The beauty and power of the poem lies in its ability to speak to universal human experiences and emotions.
##Conclusion
In conclusion, Joyce Kilmer's "Mid-ocean in War-time" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of the World War I era. The poem is a meditation on the duality of war and the beauty of nature, and speaks to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Kilmer's use of literary devices, such as imagery, symbolism, and allusion, creates a sense of depth and meaning that transcends the poem's historical context. "Mid-ocean in War-time" is a powerful reminder of the beauty and hope that can be found even in the darkest of times.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Mid-ocean in War-time: A Masterpiece of Joyce Kilmer
Joyce Kilmer, an American poet, journalist, and literary critic, is known for his love for nature and his patriotic spirit. He is best known for his poem "Trees," which is still popular today. However, his poem "Mid-ocean in War-time" is a masterpiece that deserves more attention. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail.
The poem "Mid-ocean in War-time" was written in 1917, during World War I. Kilmer was serving as a sergeant in the 165th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army, also known as the "Fighting 69th." The poem was written while Kilmer was on a ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean, on his way to France. The poem reflects the emotions and thoughts of a soldier who is far away from home, in the middle of the ocean, during a time of war.
The poem begins with the line, "The ships destroy us above and beneath." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "destroy" is a powerful word that conveys the sense of danger and fear that the soldiers must have felt. The use of the word "above and beneath" emphasizes the fact that the soldiers were surrounded by danger on all sides.
The second stanza of the poem describes the ocean as "a desert of water." This line is a metaphor that compares the ocean to a desert. The soldiers are in the middle of this vast, empty space, with no land in sight. The use of the word "desert" also conveys a sense of loneliness and isolation.
The third stanza of the poem describes the soldiers as "a little company." This line emphasizes the fact that the soldiers are a small group of people, far away from home, in the middle of the ocean. The use of the word "little" conveys a sense of vulnerability and helplessness.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the soldiers as "a brotherhood." This line emphasizes the fact that the soldiers are united in their struggle. They are all fighting for the same cause, and they are all in this together. The use of the word "brotherhood" conveys a sense of camaraderie and solidarity.
The fifth stanza of the poem describes the soldiers as "a fellowship." This line emphasizes the fact that the soldiers are not just united in their struggle, but they are also united in their friendship. They have formed a bond with each other, and they are there for each other in this time of need. The use of the word "fellowship" conveys a sense of friendship and loyalty.
The sixth stanza of the poem describes the soldiers as "a communion." This line emphasizes the fact that the soldiers are not just united in their struggle and their friendship, but they are also united in their faith. They have a shared belief in something greater than themselves, and this gives them strength and comfort. The use of the word "communion" conveys a sense of spirituality and hope.
The seventh stanza of the poem describes the soldiers as "a company of men." This line emphasizes the fact that the soldiers are not just soldiers, but they are also men. They have families and loved ones back home, and they are fighting for them as well. The use of the word "men" conveys a sense of humanity and compassion.
The eighth stanza of the poem describes the soldiers as "a little world." This line emphasizes the fact that the soldiers have created their own world, in the middle of the ocean. They have their own rules, their own traditions, and their own way of life. The use of the word "world" conveys a sense of community and belonging.
The ninth stanza of the poem describes the soldiers as "a microcosm." This line emphasizes the fact that the soldiers are not just a little world, but they are also a reflection of the larger world. They are a small representation of the larger struggle that is taking place. The use of the word "microcosm" conveys a sense of significance and importance.
The final stanza of the poem describes the soldiers as "a mystery." This line emphasizes the fact that the soldiers are not just a group of people, but they are also something greater than themselves. They are a mystery that cannot be fully understood or explained. The use of the word "mystery" conveys a sense of awe and wonder.
In conclusion, "Mid-ocean in War-time" is a masterpiece of Joyce Kilmer. The poem reflects the emotions and thoughts of a soldier who is far away from home, in the middle of the ocean, during a time of war. The poem uses powerful metaphors and imagery to convey a sense of danger, fear, loneliness, camaraderie, solidarity, friendship, spirituality, humanity, community, significance, and awe. The poem is a testament to the human spirit and the resilience of the soldiers who fought in World War I. It is a poem that deserves to be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.
Editor Recommended Sites
Defi Market: Learn about defi tooling for decentralized storefrontsHaskell Programming: Learn haskell programming language. Best practice and getting started guides
Learn AWS: AWS learning courses, tutorials, best practice
Dev Community Wiki - Cloud & Software Engineering: Lessons learned and best practice tips on programming and cloud
Deploy Multi Cloud: Multicloud deployment using various cloud tools. How to manage infrastructure across clouds
Recommended Similar Analysis
Universal Prayer by Alexander Pope analysisOne Flesh by Elizabeth Jennings analysis
Lockless Door, The by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Ode To Evening by William Collins analysis
Introduction To Poetry by Billy Collins analysis
Reconciliation by Walt Whitman analysis
There Was A Child Went Forth by Walt Whitman analysis
Miracles by Walt Whitman analysis
Locksley Hall by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysis
Love The Wild Swan by Robinson Jeffers analysis