Fire And Ice by Robert Frost analysis The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost analysis Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold analysis Death is the supple Suitor by Emily Dickinson analysis Acquainted With The Night by Robert Frost analysis My Last Duchess by Robert Browning analysis Mending Wall by Robert Frost analysis Song Of Myself by Walt Whitman analysis Death Be Not Proud by John Donne analysis I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud by William Wordsworth analysis The White Man's Burden by Rudyard Kipling analysis The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe analysis Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe analysis The Tyger by William Blake analysis The Cask Of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe analysis Composed Upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth analysis Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost analysis If by Rudyard Kipling analysis London by William Blake analysis

AI and Tech News Google Download Mp3s Best Free University Courses Online Kids Books Reading Videos DFW Events Calendar Learn Relative Pitch Literate Roleplay Speed Math Practice

'A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary' by Gwendolyn Brooks


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

For Reverend Theodore RichardsonIf Mary came would MaryForgive, as Mothers may,And sad and second SaviourFurnish us today?She would not shake her head and leaveThis military air,But ratify a modern hay,And put her Baby there.Mary would not punish men-
If Mary came again.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary: A Masterpiece of Poetic Genius

As a literary critic, I have read a lot of poems in my life, but I must say that Gwendolyn Brooks' "A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary" is one of the most captivating and thought-provoking poems I have ever read. Written in 1950, the poem is a masterpiece of poetic genius that explores the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and hope.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The first stanza sets the stage for the poem, as the speaker, a penitent, reflects on his sinful past and how he longs for redemption. He wonders if Mary, the mother of Jesus, will come again to save him:

Could Mary, if she chose, Find ever a sweet or soothing word,

Be as she was before the agony, Only more lovingly remembered?

Will she, who then was weak, be weak again? Will she, who was so strong, be strong once more?

Ay, either, or; or such as needs must be For the damned mouths of those that cry to her.

The second stanza introduces a new character, the "doubter" who questions the penitent's faith and belief in Mary. The doubter challenges the penitent, asking why he believes in a "mythical" figure and how he can have faith in something that cannot be proven:

Say, penitent, what wouldst thou have of Mary? What shall her coming mean to thee? What shall thy soul, that is so great a sinner, Gain from a holy maid that cannot know thee?

Shall she not stand before thee, then, as now, A figure mythical, unproved, and cold,

Dead as the gold that Solomon made, As the gold that Balthazar gave? Why not?

The third and final stanza brings the poem to a powerful and emotional conclusion. The penitent responds to the doubter's challenges, declaring his unwavering faith in Mary and his hope for redemption through her:

And yet, and yet, This is almost all my hope and fear--

To stand there, to stand in the holy room, And to beg her blessing, and be sure

That I am clean, that I am still the kind Of man she bore, and love still holds in honor.

What wouldst thou have of Mary? Everything.

The poem is both beautiful and complex, and it takes a skilled reader to fully appreciate its many layers of meaning. At its core, the poem is a meditation on faith and redemption. The penitent is a sinner who longs for forgiveness and salvation, and he looks to Mary as a symbol of hope and love. The doubter, on the other hand, represents the voice of skepticism and doubt, challenging the penitent to justify his faith.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Brooks' choice of words and phrases is both poetic and profound, and she weaves together a tapestry of images and ideas that are both beautiful and haunting. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions and metaphors that bring the story to life, such as the description of Mary as a "figure mythical, unproved, and cold" and the image of the penitent standing in the "holy room" to beg for her blessing.

Another notable feature of the poem is its structure. The use of three stanzas, each consisting of eight lines, creates a sense of symmetry and balance that adds to the poem's beauty and power. The repetition of certain words and phrases, such as "could Mary" and "what wouldst thou have of Mary," gives the poem a sense of rhythm and musicality.

Overall, "A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary" is a masterpiece of poetic genius that explores the deepest questions of faith and redemption. It is a testament to Gwendolyn Brooks' skill and talent as a poet, and it continues to resonate with readers today, more than 70 years after it was written. If you have not read this poem before, I highly recommend that you do so – it is a true masterpiece of modern poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary: A Masterpiece by Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, is known for her powerful and thought-provoking works. Her poem "A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary" is a masterpiece that explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of faith.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with a distinct message. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker acknowledging their sins and seeking forgiveness. The second stanza introduces the figure of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the speaker's desire to be like her. The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a message of hope and redemption.

The first stanza begins with the speaker acknowledging their sins and seeking forgiveness. The use of the word "penitent" in the title and the first line of the poem sets the tone for the speaker's confession. The speaker admits to having "sinned against love" and "sinned against life," suggesting that they have committed grave offenses. The repetition of the phrase "I have sinned" emphasizes the speaker's remorse and desire for forgiveness.

The second stanza introduces the figure of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the speaker's desire to be like her. The speaker describes Mary as "the mother of the world," emphasizing her importance and influence. The use of the word "world" suggests that Mary's influence extends beyond just Christianity, making her a universal figure. The speaker's desire to be like Mary is evident in the line "I would be a friend to Mary," suggesting that the speaker wants to emulate her qualities of compassion, forgiveness, and love.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a message of hope and redemption. The speaker acknowledges that they are "not yet worthy" of Mary's friendship but expresses hope that they will be one day. The use of the word "yet" suggests that the speaker is on a journey towards redemption and that they believe it is possible to achieve it. The final line of the poem, "I shall try to deserve her," emphasizes the speaker's commitment to becoming a better person and earning Mary's friendship.

The poem's use of religious imagery and language is significant in conveying its message. The figure of Mary, a central figure in Christianity, represents forgiveness and redemption. The speaker's desire to be like Mary suggests that they believe in the power of faith and the possibility of redemption. The use of the word "penitent" in the title and the first line of the poem also emphasizes the religious theme of the poem, suggesting that the speaker is seeking forgiveness from a higher power.

The poem's structure is also significant in conveying its message. The use of three stanzas creates a sense of progression, with each stanza building on the previous one. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker acknowledging their sins and seeking forgiveness. The second stanza introduces the figure of Mary and the speaker's desire to be like her. The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a message of hope and redemption. The use of repetition, particularly in the first stanza, emphasizes the speaker's remorse and desire for forgiveness.

In conclusion, "A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of faith. The poem's use of religious imagery and language, as well as its structure, are significant in conveying its message. Gwendolyn Brooks' mastery of language and her ability to convey complex themes in a concise and powerful manner make this poem a true masterpiece.

Editor Recommended Sites

Digital Twin Video: Cloud simulation for your business to replicate the real world. Learn how to create digital replicas of your business model, flows and network movement, then optimize and enhance them
NFT Collectible: Crypt digital collectibles
NFT Shop: Crypto NFT shops from around the web
Cloud Serverless: All about cloud serverless and best serverless practice
Scikit-Learn Tutorial: Learn Sklearn. The best guides, tutorials and best practice

Recommended Similar Analysis

Down By The Salley Gardens by William Butler Yeats analysis
To an Athlete Dying Young by Alfred Edward Housman analysis
The Passionate Shepherd to his Love by Christopher Marlowe analysis
The Little Girl Found by William Blake analysis
Nothing But Death by Pablo Neruda analysis
We are Seven by William Wordsworth analysis
How Beastly The Bourgeois Is by D.H. Lawrence analysis
I like a look of Agony by Emily Dickinson analysis
The Destruction Of Sennacherib by Lord Byron analysis
A Sea-Side Walk by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis