'Sympathetic Portrait Of A Child' by William Carlos Williams
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The murderer's little daughter
who is barely ten years old
jerks her shoulders
right and left
so as to catch a glimpse of me
without turning round.
Her skinny little arms
wrap themselves
this way then that
reversely about her body!
Nervously
she crushes her straw hat
about her eyes
and tilts her head
to deepen the shadow—
smiling excitedly!
As best as she can
she hides herself
in the full sunlight
her cordy legs writhing
beneath the little flowered dress
that leaves them bare
from mid-thigh to ankle—
Why has she chosen me
for the knife
that darts along her smile?
Submitted by Bob
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sympathetic Portrait Of A Child: A Critical Analysis
Have you ever read a poem that leaves you wondering about the emotions that the writer wanted to convey? "Sympathetic Portrait of A Child" is one such poem that has left many literary enthusiasts perplexed. Written by the famous American poet and pediatrician, William Carlos Williams, this poem is a reflection of his unique style of writing. At first, it may seem like a simple piece of work, but a closer look at it reveals the depth of emotions that Williams wanted to express.
Understanding the Poem
The poem is a short description of a child who is lying on a sofa, and the narrator is observing him. The child is described as "a little frightened, wondering-eyed boy." The use of the word 'frightened' here sets the tone of the poem. It instantly creates a sense of anxiety and fear in the reader's mind. The boy is also described as 'wondering-eyed,' which means he is curious and inquisitive.
The poem then goes on to describe the physical appearance of the child. He is said to be "pale, delicate, and frail." The use of these adjectives creates a sense of vulnerability and weakness. It also creates an image of a child who is not well, which makes the reader feel sorry for him.
The poem then takes a turn and describes the child's parents. They are said to be "indignant and helpless." This line is crucial in understanding the poem's theme. The parents' description tells us that the child is sick, and they cannot do anything about it. It creates an image of a family that is struggling with a problem that they cannot solve. This sense of helplessness is something that most of us can relate to, and it instantly creates an emotional connection with the poem.
The Theme of the Poem
The theme of the poem is the helplessness of parents when their child is sick. It is a universal theme that most of us can relate to. The poem creates an image of a family that is struggling with a problem that they cannot solve. It highlights the fact that parents often feel helpless when their child is sick, and they cannot do anything about it. The poem is a reflection of the emotions that parents go through when their child is unwell. It is a poignant reminder that as parents, we are not always in control of our child's life.
The Tone of the Poem
The poem's tone is sympathetic and empathetic. It creates a sense of sadness and melancholy in the reader's mind. The use of the word 'frightened' and the description of the child as 'pale, delicate, and frail' instantly creates an image of a child who is not well. The poem's tone is one of sympathy towards the child and the parents. It highlights the fact that being in a helpless situation is not easy, and it evokes a sense of empathy in the reader's mind.
The Structure of the Poem
The poem is structured in a simple and straightforward manner. It is a short poem with only four lines. The use of simple language and short sentences makes it easy to understand. The poem's structure is a reflection of Williams' style of writing. He believed in using simple language to convey complex emotions.
The Imagery Used in the Poem
The imagery used in the poem is vivid and creates a mental picture in the reader's mind. The use of the word 'frightened' creates an image of a child who is scared and anxious. The description of the child as 'pale, delicate, and frail' creates an image of a child who is not well. The use of the word 'indignant' creates an image of parents who are frustrated with their situation. The imagery used in the poem is powerful and evokes strong emotions in the reader's mind.
The Poem's Connection to Williams' Life
William Carlos Williams was a pediatrician, and it is believed that this poem was inspired by his experiences as a doctor. He would have seen many children who were sick and parents who were struggling with the situation. The poem's theme is something that Williams would have seen in his practice, and he would have felt sympathy towards these families. The poem is a reflection of Williams' experiences as a doctor and his empathy towards his patients.
Conclusion
"Sympathetic Portrait of A Child" is a powerful poem that evokes strong emotions in the reader's mind. It is a reflection of the helplessness that parents feel when their child is sick. The imagery used in the poem is vivid and creates a sense of sadness and melancholy. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, which makes it easy to understand. The poem is a reflection of William Carlos Williams' experiences as a pediatrician and his empathy towards his patients. It is a reminder that as parents, we are not always in control of our child's life, and there are times when we need to be sympathetic and empathetic towards our child's situation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sympathetic Portrait Of A Child: An Analysis
William Carlos Williams, a renowned American poet, wrote the poem "Sympathetic Portrait of a Child" in 1918. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of a child's innocence and vulnerability. It is a short poem, consisting of only six lines, but it is packed with meaning and emotion. In this article, we will analyze the poem and explore its themes, literary devices, and overall significance.
The poem begins with the line, "The murderer's little daughter / who is barely ten years old." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "murderer" immediately creates a sense of unease and tension. The fact that the murderer's daughter is only ten years old adds to the sense of vulnerability and innocence. The reader is immediately drawn into the poem, wondering what will happen to this young girl.
The second line reads, "This morning / at breakfast." The use of the word "morning" creates a sense of routine and normalcy. It is a stark contrast to the word "murderer" in the first line. The fact that the girl is having breakfast with her family creates a sense of warmth and comfort. However, the reader is still aware of the underlying tension.
The third line reads, "was playing with her knife." This line is significant because it shows the girl's innocence. She is playing with a knife, but she is not aware of the danger it poses. The reader can imagine the girl playing with the knife, completely unaware of the danger she is in. This line also foreshadows what is to come.
The fourth line reads, "She looked up / suddenly." This line creates a sense of urgency. The reader is aware that something is about to happen. The fact that the girl looks up suddenly adds to the tension.
The fifth line reads, "But I saw / her mother's eyes." This line is significant because it shows the mother's fear. The reader can imagine the mother looking at her daughter, realizing the danger she is in. The fact that the narrator sees the mother's eyes adds to the sense of urgency and tension.
The final line reads, "and nothing will ever be right again." This line is significant because it shows the aftermath of the event. The fact that "nothing will ever be right again" creates a sense of finality. The reader is left wondering what happened to the girl and her family.
The poem is a beautiful portrayal of a child's innocence and vulnerability. The use of the word "murderer" creates a sense of unease and tension. The fact that the girl is only ten years old adds to the sense of vulnerability and innocence. The use of the word "morning" creates a sense of routine and normalcy. The fact that the girl is having breakfast with her family creates a sense of warmth and comfort. The fact that the girl is playing with a knife, completely unaware of the danger it poses, shows her innocence. The fact that the mother looks at her daughter, realizing the danger she is in, creates a sense of urgency and tension. The fact that "nothing will ever be right again" creates a sense of finality.
The poem is also significant because of its use of literary devices. The use of foreshadowing is evident in the line "was playing with her knife." The use of imagery is evident in the line "her mother's eyes." The use of repetition is evident in the phrase "nothing will ever be right again." The use of enjambment is evident in the lines "The murderer's little daughter / who is barely ten years old." The use of alliteration is evident in the line "But I saw / her mother's eyes."
The poem is significant because of its overall message. It is a beautiful portrayal of a child's innocence and vulnerability. It shows the reader the importance of protecting children and keeping them safe. It also shows the reader the importance of being aware of the dangers that surround us.
In conclusion, "Sympathetic Portrait of a Child" is a beautiful poem that portrays a child's innocence and vulnerability. It is a short poem, consisting of only six lines, but it is packed with meaning and emotion. The use of literary devices such as foreshadowing, imagery, repetition, enjambment, and alliteration adds to the poem's overall significance. The poem's message is clear: we must protect children and be aware of the dangers that surround us.
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