ODE analysis Solitude, by Alexander Pope

Ode - It is a type of lyrical verse. There are usually three parts known as the strophe, antistrophe, and the epode.


In this poem, there is a definite rhyme scheme. Odes don't necessarily have a pattern, so it is important to indicate that this poem does. Also, there are many punctuations between thoughts in each line, called a caesura. The use of a caesura give the poem more depth and meaning. If read without these pauses, the poem wouldn't have as much of an effect on the reader. With the constant pauses, it gives the reader time to process what Pope is talking about. It almost brings the reader into a deeper realm of meditation.

Euphony is also used in the poem. The use of smooth consonants gives a soothing effect to Pope's poem. "sweet recreation" is an example of the smooth consonants within the poem. There is no stress on the consonants that causes cacophony. Pope uses euphony to further elaborate on the solitude of the event at hand. The solemnity of the use of euphony further conveys the soothing mood of the poem.

During Pope's time, a word that ended with "e-d" would have the word + ed at the end, so elision was used to give the poem a better flow. Also, it keeps the regular meter of the poem. Two examples here are "unconcern'dly" and "mix'd". If the "e" was added to these words, an extra syllable would be added and the meter would be off, and the smoothness of the poem would be ruined.

The Ode on Solitude uses these devices to give the sense of solitude in the fields that Pope intended to achieve. Without these devices, the poem wouldn't be the same. Also, the use of rhyming in this ode gives a better flow, adding to the solemness of the solitude around a field and the countryside.

تعليقات حول القصيدة

I agree with what you've said about the rhyme scheme and rhythm of this poem, which serve to create a soothing, peaceful feeling reflective of the lifestyle Pope describes. The slow, pensive rhythm allows the reader to make their way through the stanzas and absorb the images the poem presents. I'm not totally sure, but I think one purpose of the rhyme scheme could be to provide a sort of "complete-ness." The rhyming brings everything together and lends some resolution, which made me think of the self-sufficient solitude Pope desires.

2----I agree with you Michaela. Without a rhyme scheme, some poems do feel incomplete. The resolution, too, I agree with. His wish is to achieve this solitude, and without an end in sight, it wouldn't be able to be achieved, so the rhyme scheme acts as the end of his journey.

3----The euphony used in the poem also gives off a soothing, peaceful vibe. Not many sylablles are stressed which adds to the overall self-sufficent nature of the poem. The speaker wishes to take care of himself using only the bear resources. It also shows that no words are supposed to pop out, giving every line equal meaning.

4-----

The subject of this poem seems to be a farmer. And with this knowledge, the euphony used throughout the work reflects the simple and laid-back lifestyle. Pope chooses to use predictable methods: alternating rhyme scheme, uniform stanzas, to convey this sense of simplicity. The voice of the poet matches the subject.

It is interesting that “happy” is the first way Pope describes the farmer. Among the numerous other words he could have chosen, he picks “happy”. The commonness elementary nature of his language immediately sets the mood. Lastly, the farmer is “content to breathe his native air, in his own ground” instead of wanting to advance with the changing lifestyles of people at the time.

5-----Tomy, do you think that maybe pope is talking about a proud farmer that doesn't feel the need to "show off"? It seems that maybe the solemnity of the poem can be marked by this.

I think that Pope is talking about a proud farmer and that reflects in the tone of the poem. However, I do not think the poem is necessarily solemn. I think that he lives a fulfilled life because he is happy and he takes nothing from the world (“Steal from the world, and not a stone”). When I read this poem I thought of it in Biblical terms because the allusion meek farmer made me think of that. In the Bible, it says “the meek will inherit the Earth”. I feel like this man fits that description because he doesn’t bother anyone. He is content to live off his land. “Content to breathe his native air,/In his own ground” (lines 3-4). I may also just be reminded of the Bible because of the language.

March 8, 2009 10:27 AM

Fig said...

I agree with the notion that euphony is used to give a soothing feel to the poem. I also agree with Lauren that the farmer is happy and lives within his means. This is a far contrast from the materialistic world that we live in today. This farmer lives in solitude and is happy living off the land. I am particularly interested in the line "Sound sleep by night". Morally poor actions are said to keep people up at night as they hang on a persons subconcious thoughts. I take this to mean that the farmer is pure and uncorrupted.

شرح مفصل اول

This poem is about solitude, not as a bad thing but as a blessing. It talks about freedom of responsibility to the society, to courtesy and stifling social norms.
In the first verse "how happy he, who free from care, the rage of courts, and noise of towns". Alexander is talking about the happiness and joy derived by a person who is not encumbered by the niceties of society, in fact he is envious of that peace and freedom. He sees the solitude as a blessing and privilege. Then he goes on to say "Contented breaths his native air, in his own grounds", the person is not only free from the social graces but is his own person, owns himself and things and answers to no one but himself.
In the second verse he talks about the person right to all he has, no taxes and no relatives or friends to support. He also revels in the right and freedom to do as he pleases and when. He enjoys all that he has without the worry of what society thinks, or what the norms are. He spares no thought to modesty. He derives joy from simple pleasures of life, he does not need to be extravagant and ostentatious to be satisfied, although with society owning such simple things as a house, a herd of cows, flock of sheep, and a groove of trees is seen as peasant live. The society looks down on people like that and sees them as people of no consequence and unfortunate, but to the poet he regards such people as the true possessors of the finer thing of life.
By the third verse he has found that only people who lead such life has a true chance to good health. This he says steams from the lack of stress induced by the society and people. No answering to anybody, no nagging from others and no passing or receipt of judgement. To the poet it is a blessing to live life without concerns as to what the norm of society is and to live life leisurely as time pass more swiftly in peace.
The fourth verse shows is clearly what the poet thinks is a life of leisure. "Sound sleep by night; study and ease Together mix'd; sweet recreation".
Irrespective of the station or social status he believes that the desire for knowledge is in every man, but a study without the pressure to achieve excellence but for the joy of knowing and curiosity is a luxury that the society those not accord to people, all pursuit of education is always tested and not jus for the plain happiness derived from it. A sound sleep is another luxury he feels people do not have, but our free man has this. The freedom to a restful sleep not disturbed by worry and the cares of leading a society labelled successful life. Then there is the innocence that is preserved, but day to day dealing with people always disabuses people of that. The innocence from manipulation, backstabbing, plotting, dishonesty, betrayal and lies. That innocence that the world is a good place without seeing humans kill other humans.
In the final verse he expresses his longing for such a life, a life free of people and their ills. A life where there is no conformity to the norm of society, with no pressure, with leisure and pleasure in the simpler things, with peace and quiet and preserved innocence. "Thus let me live, unheard, unknown; thus unlamented let me dye" he claims no need to be known or celebrated, he yearns for a solitude so complete that his existence goes unnoticed, even into the future that his memory is not remembered or heard of by anybody, "Steal from the world, and not a stone Tell where I lye".

شرح مفصل ثاني

Alexander Pope's "Solitude" is a calming piece that deals with exactly what the title suggests: solitude. Moreover, the piece examines what would make a man truly happy, and how this is all connected to the idea of solitude.
The first verse details what might constitute happiness for a man: "Happy the man, whose wish and care / A few paternal acres bound, / Content to breathe his native air / In his own ground" (1-4). Note that the happiness being discussed is meant in both a figurative as well as literal sense. For instance, the speaker details how a man would be happy if his "wish and care" was figuratively: "a few paternal acres bound", comprising all of his hopes and dreams in a "paternal" manner. In the same sense, a man could be happy if his wish and care literally concerned: "a few paternal acres bound", or some rural land that a man could rule "paternally". In either case, a man would be happy as long as he was content to breathe his own air and live "in his own ground", but the man who actually owned the land would be even better off, because he would live in solitude.
The second verse emphasizes this idea of ruling a piece of land paternally: "Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, / Whose flocks supply him with attire; / Whose trees in summer yield shade, / In winter, fire" (5-8). The speaker notes that a man would indeed be happy if the "few paternal acres" of land that he owned would have everything needed to sustain him: milk from cows, bread from his fields, clothing from his flocks and trees for both shade and fire wood. In this sense a man could live off of his own work, but more importantly, in solitude, since he would have no need for society.
The third verse stresses the importance of solitude in a happy man's life: "Blest, who can unconcern'dly find / Hours, days, and years, slide soft away / In health of body, peace of mind, / Quiet by day" (9-12). The speaker calls the man who would live off of his own land blessed because he has the potential to whittle away time without a care in the world. Moreover, he does so in solitude and at his own pace, unconcerned for the foibles that trouble societies. In another sense, the happy man is also blessed because he has "health of body" as well as "piece of mind" that he can only seem to achieve through his solitude.
The fourth verse continues this idea: "Sound sleep by night, study and ease / Together mixed, sweet recreation, / And innocence, which most does please / With meditation"
(13-16). The happy man who lives in solitude on his own farm would sleep well at night, study as well as take part in "sweet recreation", but most importantly, he would hold onto his "innocence" through constant meditation. The idea that a man could hold onto his innocence in living alone is very desirable and, thus, men who would do this could in a sense be happy (according to the speaker). In other words, innocence is so easily lost in society, that it is no wonder a man who lives alone has kept his innocence: he is un-phased by society, and shows no concern, which allows for his true happiness.
The final verse ends on the idea that the speaker wants to embrace everything that he has just described: "Thus let me live, unseen, unknown; / Thus unlamented let me die; / Steal from the world, and not a stone / Tell where I lie" (17-20). The speaker comments that he wishes to be "unknown" in his life of solitude, and he even goes so far as to say that he wants to be "unlamented" as his death. Finally, the speaker asks readers not to tell even an inanimate object where he lives, as it would break his solitude. Overall, this is an excellent piece that details how, not just a man can be happy, but how a lot of people could be happier in life. It stresses the benefits of solitude and how getting away from society could in fact be a good thing.

Posted in: Alexander, Analysis, by, Ode, Pope, Solitude