'Among Children' by Philip Levine
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
I walk among the rows of bowed heads--
the children are sleeping through fourth grade
so as to be ready for what is ahead,
the monumental boredom of junior high
and the rush forward tearing their wings
loose and turning their eyes forever inward.
These are the children of Flint, their fathers
work at the spark plug factory or truck
bottled water in 5 gallon sea-blue jugs
to the widows of the suburbs. You can see
already how their backs have thickened,
how their small hands, soiled by pig iron,
leap and stutter even in dreams. I would like
to sit down among them and read slowly
from The Book of Job until the windows
pale and the teacher rises out of a milky sea
of industrial scum, her gowns streaming
with light, her foolish words transformed
into song, I would like to arm each one
with a quiver of arrows so that they might
rush like wind there where no battle rages
shouting among the trumpets, Hal Ha!
How dear the gift of laughter in the face
of the 8 hour day, the cold winter mornings
without coffee and oranges, the long lines
of mothers in old coats waiting silently
where the gates have closed. Ten years ago
I went among these same children, just born,
in the bright ward of the Sacred Heart and leaned
down to hear their breaths delivered that day,
burning with joy. There was such wonder
in their sleep, such purpose in their eyes
dosed against autumn, in their damp heads
blurred with the hair of ponds, and not one
turned against me or the light, not one
said, I am sick, I am tired, I will go home,
not one complained or drifted alone,
unloved, on the hardest day of their lives.
Eleven years from now they will become
the men and women of Flint or Paradise,
the majors of a minor town, and I
will be gone into smoke or memory,
so I bow to them here and whisper
all I know, all I will never know.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Among Children: A Deep Dive into Philip Levine's Poem
Philip Levine's poem, Among Children, is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of childhood in a poetic manner. The poem talks about the innocent and carefree nature of children and how they live in a world that is pure and untouched by the ugliness of the adult world. In this literary criticism, we will take a deep dive into the poem and interpret its various elements to uncover the underlying themes and messages that the poet intends to convey.
Overview
The poem is a first-person narrative, and the speaker is an adult who has fond memories of his childhood. He starts the poem by describing a group of children playing outside on a hot summer day. The children are completely absorbed in their games, and they seem to be having a lot of fun. The speaker then goes on to describe the various games that the children play, including tag, hide-and-seek, and red rover. He also talks about the laughter, shouts, and screams that accompany these games.
The speaker then shifts his focus to the simplicity of the children's lives. He talks about how the children do not have any worries or responsibilities and how they are free to enjoy their childhood. He contrasts this with the complexity of the adult world, which is full of stress, work, and responsibilities.
Towards the end of the poem, the speaker longs to be a child again and to experience the innocence and carefree nature of childhood. He recognizes that this is not possible, and the poem ends with a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted in many ways, and different readers may have different interpretations. However, there are several themes and messages that are present in the poem and which can be interpreted in a meaningful way.
Childhood Innocence
One of the main themes of the poem is childhood innocence. The children in the poem are completely absorbed in their games, and they are not burdened by the worries and responsibilities of the adult world. They are free to enjoy their childhood and to live in the moment. The speaker contrasts this with the complexity of the adult world, which is full of stress, work, and responsibilities. The speaker longs to be a child again and to experience the innocence and carefree nature of childhood.
The theme of childhood innocence is essential in the poem because it highlights the purity and simplicity of childhood. Children are not corrupted by the adult world, and they have not yet learned to judge or discriminate. They are free to be themselves and to express themselves without fear of judgment or criticism.
The Passage of Time
Another important theme in the poem is the passage of time. The speaker longs to be a child again and to experience the innocence and carefree nature of childhood. However, he recognizes that this is not possible. He is an adult now, and he is burdened by the worries and responsibilities of the adult world.
The theme of the passage of time is essential in the poem because it highlights the fleeting nature of childhood. Childhood is a time of innocence and purity, but it is also a time that passes quickly. The speaker recognizes this and longs to go back in time and experience his childhood again.
The Beauty of Childhood
The poem also highlights the beauty of childhood. The children in the poem are completely absorbed in their games, and they are not burdened by the worries and responsibilities of the adult world. They are free to enjoy their childhood and to live in the moment. The speaker describes the various games that the children play, including tag, hide-and-seek, and red rover. He also talks about the laughter, shouts, and screams that accompany these games.
The theme of the beauty of childhood is essential in the poem because it highlights the joy and wonder that are present in childhood. Children are full of life and energy, and they are not afraid to express themselves. They are free to enjoy their childhood and to live in the moment.
Nostalgia
Finally, the poem is full of nostalgia. The speaker longs to be a child again and to experience the innocence and carefree nature of childhood. He recognizes that this is not possible, and the poem ends with a sense of nostalgia and longing.
The theme of nostalgia is essential in the poem because it highlights the bittersweet nature of childhood. Childhood is a time of innocence and purity, but it is also a time that passes quickly. The speaker recognizes this and longs to go back in time and experience his childhood again.
Conclusion
Philip Levine's Among Children is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of childhood in a poetic manner. The poem talks about the innocent and carefree nature of children and how they live in a world that is pure and untouched by the ugliness of the adult world. The poem can be interpreted in many ways, but some of the essential themes include childhood innocence, the passage of time, the beauty of childhood, and nostalgia.
The poem is a beautiful reflection on the joys and wonder of childhood and the bittersweet nature of growing up. It is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke strong emotions and to capture the essence of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Among Children: A Poem of Innocence and Joy
Philip Levine’s poem Among Children is a beautiful and heartwarming ode to childhood innocence and the joy of living in the moment. Written in 1981, the poem captures the essence of childhood through the eyes of an adult who remembers the simple pleasures of playing with friends, exploring the world, and feeling alive.
The poem begins with the speaker recalling his childhood memories of playing with his friends in the streets and alleys of his hometown. He describes the freedom and excitement of running and jumping, of chasing and being chased, and of feeling the wind in his hair and the sun on his face. The imagery is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a carefree and happy time in the speaker’s life.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the innocence of childhood and the way that children see the world. He notes that children are not burdened by the worries and responsibilities of adulthood, and that they are able to experience life in a way that is pure and unencumbered. He writes:
“…they know the secret of life, which is to be alive.”
This line is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the idea that life is not about achieving success or accumulating wealth, but about simply being present in the moment and experiencing the world around us.
The poem also touches on the idea of mortality, as the speaker notes that the children he remembers from his youth are now grown and gone. He writes:
“…they are gone now, fled or dead, and I must wait for a new generation.”
This line is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must cherish the moments we have with the people we love. It is also a call to action, urging the reader to embrace life and to make the most of the time we have.
One of the most striking aspects of Among Children is the way that Levine uses language to capture the essence of childhood. The poem is full of playful and whimsical language, such as “the wild game of tag” and “the dance of light in their eyes.” These phrases evoke the joy and wonder of childhood, and they remind us of the magic that can be found in even the most mundane moments.
Levine also uses repetition to great effect in the poem, repeating the phrase “among children” throughout. This repetition serves to reinforce the central theme of the poem, which is the idea that childhood is a time of innocence and joy. It also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, making the poem a pleasure to read aloud.
In addition to its celebration of childhood, Among Children also touches on larger themes of community and belonging. The poem describes the children playing together in the streets and alleys of their hometown, and it suggests that this shared experience creates a sense of connection and camaraderie. The speaker notes that the children “know each other’s names” and that they are “bound by a code of secret play.” This sense of community is a reminder that we are all connected, and that our shared experiences can bring us together in powerful ways.
Overall, Among Children is a beautiful and moving poem that celebrates the innocence and joy of childhood. Through its vivid imagery, playful language, and poignant themes, the poem reminds us of the magic that can be found in even the most ordinary moments of life. It is a testament to the power of memory and the importance of cherishing the people and experiences that make life worth living.
Editor Recommended Sites
Networking Place: Networking social network, similar to linked-in, but for your business and consulting servicesMachine Learning Recipes: Tutorials tips and tricks for machine learning engineers, large language model LLM Ai engineers
No IAP Apps: Apple and Google Play Apps that are high rated and have no IAP
Learn NLP: Learn natural language processing for the cloud. GPT tutorials, nltk spacy gensim
Best Adventure Games - Highest Rated Adventure Games - Top Adventure Games: Highest rated adventure game reviews
Recommended Similar Analysis
Child Of The Romans by Carl Sandburg analysisI Dream'd In A Dream by Walt Whitman analysis
Rainbow , The by William Wordsworth analysis
Sonnet CXXX by William Shakespeare analysis
Songs Of Innocence: Introduction by William Blake analysis
Religio Laici by John Dryden analysis
she being Brand... (XIX) by e.e. cummings analysis
Poems Done On A Late Night Car by Carl Sandburg analysis
I Saw Thee Weep by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
your little voice... (I) by e.e. cummings analysis