Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Gettysburg: July 1, 1863" is a poem by Jane Kenyon, an American poet born in 1947 and who passed away in 1995. Kenyon is known for her insightful and contemplative poetry that often explores themes of nature, mortality, and history.

Explanation:

"Gettysburg: July 1, 1863" is a poem that describes the events of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. The speaker describes the chaos and violence of the battle, as well as the suffering and death of soldiers on both sides. The poem was composed in the early 1990s.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse
• Theme: War, violence, and mortality
• Imagery: Smoke, dust, blood, and the landscape of Gettysburg
• Tone: Somber, reflective
• Sound: Repetition of phrases ("Some of the men"), alliteration ("fierce fighting"), and consonance ("the barking of rifles")
• Language: Simple and direct, with occasional use of elevated vocabulary
• Figurative language: Metaphor ("the battle / like a piece of hell"), simile ("like a dream"), and personification ("Death had been busy")
• Structure: The poem is composed of one long stanza with 23 lines. It is written in free verse, which allows the speaker to move between different observations and emotions without being constrained by a strict form.
• Symbolism: The Battle of Gettysburg in the poem is a symbol of the violence and destruction of war, as well as the human cost of conflict.
• Emotion: The poem evokes a sense of sadness and horror at the violence and suffering of the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as a sense of respect and awe for the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers involved.

Conclusion:

"Gettysburg: July 1, 1863" is a powerful and moving poem that bears witness to the chaos and violence of the Battle of Gettysburg. Through its use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, the poem speaks to the enduring human cost of war and the importance of remembering those who have sacrificed for their country.

Poem Snippet:

"Smoke and dust hide

the shapes of men who die

and give their lives bloodily

to bring forth another birth of freedom."