Father Returning Home: Dilip Chitre

Brief introduction: A versatile genius who was known for his flair and magic with words, born on September 17, 1938, the legend Dilip Chitre was the Indian critic and poet who wrote Father Returning Home. The poem speaks about the loneliness and the sheer alienation the poet's father's experiencing at one point in his life where he cease to find time and an opportunity to matter to his children, who no longer share anything with him. He himself is estranged from the man-made world. Hence, throughout this poem Chitre has denounced the urban rootlessness and alienation.

FLIRT CONCEPT:
F: 2 stanzas, each stanza consists of 12 lines
L: the languages used were- 1. SIMILE
                                            2. COLOURFUL ADJECTIVES
I: The poet uses some fine imagery in the poem to describe the loneliness in his father's soul as he travels in local train. To convey the twilight atmosphere, Chitre has used short descriptive words in the poem.
R: a,b,c,d,e,f,b,a,g,h,a,i,j,k,l,m,n,o,p,q,r,r,s
T: alienation or estranged experience of an old man during the twilight years

1st STANZA:
- In the first stanza of Father Returning Home, it mostly describes the journey of the author's father while returning home one evening. It seems that the father is in a pathetic condition, looking drastic and disturbing in his muddy clothes. Whilst due to old age, the poet's father is having difficulty moving about because of his poor eyesight. This stanza portrays the the monotonousness of the old man, who sustains the weather as well as the estrangement from the man- made.

2nd STANZA:
- In the second stanza of Father Returning Home, the author represents more of the remoteness of his father that he experiences in his own dwelling. From the phrase "drinking weak tea, eating stale chapati" shows that the basic and daily requirements carried out by the father is not properly taken care off by family, yet again implying his father's loneliness. Going to the toilet and contemplating displays that the man is obviously upset with his predicament and is terribly shaken by the whole situation as he trembles while he washes his hands. As he is about to sleep, he realizes he's all alone and tries to compensate their company by listening to the radio and tries to interact with his ancestors in his dreams. It seems to be a relief to him from his mundane routine to devoid any human contact, while he tries to find joy for himself.

- The overall literary content of the whole poem is Chitre's use of wonderful imagery to describe the pathos of an old man and using unique similes to create an evocative image of an old man- depicting the monotonousness and meaningless in the old man's life. The imagery of the dream has been used to show the connection the author's father has with his past and his future. In the phrase "dreaming of his ancestors and grandchildren" it signifies that he is having difficulty in expressing his feelings that he has suppressed in himself for years.

Passion: Kathleen Raine

Brief introduction: A Cambridge poet from the 1930's, a mystic poet known for her interest in various forms of spirituality, who believed that everything on earth was connected and that the universal breath was in all of us. Kathleen Raine, born in London in 1908, wrote Passion by emphasizing on her imaginary connection with nature and abhorred modernity in all forms. Raine attempts to send out a message to her readers insisting that nature should not be viewed as a separate entity and that it will never forsake those who love her, hence finding peace when she realizes she's one with nature.

FLIRT CONCEPT:
F: 8 stanzas, each stanza consists of 3 lines
L: the languages used were- 1. METAPHOR
                                              2. EMOTIVE LANGUAGE
                                              3. PERSONIFICATION
                                              4. LOADED ADJECTIVES
I: METAPHOR
   PERSONIFICATION
R: a,a,a,b,b,b,c,c,c,d,d,e,f,f,f,g,h,h,i,j,k,l,l,m
T: universal spirit, mystical life, nature

1st PHRASE: "Each cloud a ship without me sailing, each tree
                         Possessing what my soul lacked, tranquility"
- In this phrase, the clouds seemed impersonal to her as well as the trees, whilst from the word "WITHOUT" indicates that the poet is hurt and is in a chaotic state of mind feeling ignored, abandoned and left out.  The tranquility that the nature possesses has completely nothing to do with her. Envying the peaceful and calm trees, she seems to be not at ease and is filled with mixed emotions.
- The biological content of this phrase is that the author is skilled with an instinctive feeling of the relationship existing between the living and the encompassing universe of nature; a relationship so remote and uncommon to our present day methods and the urbanized, technological environment in which most of us experience only its simplicity.

2nd PHRASE: "Through the mute telephone, my body grew weak
                          With the well-known and mortal death, heartbreak"
- In this phrase, the author seems to be experiencing an emotional and desperate situation at one point in her life. From the word "HEARTBREAK", it implies that it was caused by unrequited love; patiently waiting for the phone to ring, it stays silent and she suddenly feels her body weakening.
- The biological content of this phrase is her failed marriage. After her greatest love - for the naturalist Gavin Maxwell, proved disastrous, she denied personal emotions. Hence, strings of distress, regret and loneliness run through most of her poetry.

3rd PHRASE: "Know now that you are born along with these,
                         Clouds, winds, and stars and ever moving seas"
- In this phrase, it implies that the same spirit that permeates nature is also part of her and that she is one with the clouds, stars, the wind and the restless sea.
- The literary content of this phrase is her intense and great belief in the unity of human beings and nature in a larger design, inspired by Percy Shelley, who also believes in the power of visionary imagination in poetry.

4th PHRASE: ""Then the sky spoke to me in language clear,
                           Familiar as the, heart than love more near"
- In this phrase, it implies that the just as things appeared to be bleak, the sky spoke in clear tones of her connection with nature and that nature would nourish her and see her through this difficult period.Unlike humans, nature would never forsake those who loved her, realizing that same spirit that penetrate the world was in her too.
- The literary content of this phrase is her deep influence by William Blake and Plato, who shared the same belief that "one power alone makes a poet- imagination, the divine vision"

She was a Phantom of Delight: William Wordsworth

Brief introduction: She was a Phantom of Delight was written by the English Romantic poet, William Wordsworth, who, along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped launch the Romantic Age in English Literature in their joint publication of Lyrical Ballads in 1798. She was a Phantom of Delight was written on the influence of the author's wife and his reaction to her, depicting three stages in his life: their first meeting, as they began to know each other, and during their marriage life. William Wordsworth was a well-known romanticist, who often applied the use of powerful metaphors in his writing that greatly attracted his readers.

FLIRT CONCEPT:
F: 3 stanzas, each stanza consists of 10 lines
L: the languages used were- 1. OXYMORON
                                            2. METAPHOR
                                            3. SIMILE
                                            4. PERSONIFICATION
                                            5. RULE OF THREE
                                            6. EMOTIONAL LANGUAGE
                                            7. ALLITERATION
I: METAPHOR
    SIMILE
    PERSONIFICATION
R: a,a,b,b,c,c,d,d,e,e,f,g,h,h,i,i,j,j,k,k,l,l,m,m,n,n,o,o,a,a
T: romanticism

1st PHRASE: "I saw her upon nearer view,
                         A Spirit, yet a Woman too"
- In this phrase, it implies how after their marriage, the poet gets an even closer and deep view or perspective of his wife; hence finding her to be a hardworking and exceptional lady, capable of guiding and taking care of the poet.
- The biographical content would be the inevitable personality of the poet's wife. Regardless if it was before or after their marriage, his wife has not lost her innocence as a virgin woman and still possesses those qualities even after matrimony.

2nd PHRASE: "Her eyes as stars if twilight fair,
                          Like twilight's too, her dusky hair"
- In this phrase, it implies how in their developing relationship, he appreciates her unique and extraordinary appearance, as if they have met for the first time. He considers her beauty to be as appealing and attractive as the beauty of nature.
- The literary content of this is his use of similes and his great appreciation for nature as an inspiration for his writing. While the historical content would be the selected genre of romanticism, influenced by the romantic era during the 1700's.

3rd PHRASE: "She was a Phantom of Delight"
- In this phrase, it implies how the poet begins with a distant view of his wife as an illusion until he closes up more on the realistic and spiritual appreciation for his wife.
- The literary content of this is his interest in supernatural beings and his use of powerful metaphors to create an impact on the aesthetic expressions. Percy Shelley is a poet who shares the similar style of writing as William Wordsworth.

4th PHRASE: "Endurance, foresight, strength and skill
                        " A perfect woman, nobly plann'd"
-In this phrase, it implies the boundless aspects of his wife's personality that efficiently works together, like a machine; proving herself to be a perfect woman and capable of guiding the poet.
- The literary content would be the indirect use of powerful metaphors in the form of loaded words to describe the poet's wife, indicating that she is a well-organized and prudent lady.