Rilker’s Poems
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Rilker’s Poems
The Panther and the Swan are two great poems that have a lot of similarities and differences. First, they both make the use of literally stylistic devices in the same manner. They both use the stylistic devices like alliteration, assonance, repetitions, rhyme, rhythm and others. These are all carefully used to help in delivering the message of the poet (Ryan, J., 2007). The repetition is used when the poet decided to repeat many things. this is important because it would help in creating emphasis on the most important themes being presented in each of the poem. the other styles are used to make the poems more interesting and captivating to the reader. For instance, the use of t,l, s and r as alliterations, along side a, i, o and u as assonance, are important because they make the poems more rhythmical and captivating to the readers. All these features were used by these authors in their poems (Numerous contributors, 2007).
Besides, the two poems are similar in that they both have the themes they are trying to put across. Though written by same poet, they address different aspects oflife in the society. The Swan gives an account of the plight of workers. As he narrates, these people are not happy with the kind of life they are leading. They feel that they are being exploited by their master. He affirms this when he complains. ‘This laboring of ours with all that remains undone, as if still bound to it…’ It seems that no one is concerned about them. Therefore, according to the narrator, the only way though which they can be liberated, is through coming up and joining efforts. This will help them in holding mass actions that will eventually help them in airing their grievances. They understand the role of solidarity in their lives (Engel, M. and Lauterbach, D.,2004).
On the other hand, The Panther presents the theme of disparate life behind the bars. According to the narrator, -people always have a negative perception towards the life imprison. It is so bad because it has a lot of problems such as solitude and unending restrictions. In fact, he compares it to the life of pupils in schools when he says,’ Only at times, the curtain of the pupilslifts, quietly…’this shows that nobody is ready to lead such a life. Therefore, each and everyone should be wary of their actions to avoid facing such disastrous situations.
Works cited
Engel, M. and Lauterbach, D. (ed) (2004) Rilke Handbuch: Leben – Werk – Wirkung, Stuttgart: Metzler.
Numerous contributors. (2007) A Reconsideration of Rainer Maria Rilke, Agenda Poetry Magazine, vol. 42 nos. 3-4
Ryan, J. (2007) Rilke, Modernism, and Poetic Tradition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
