Analysis of Philip Levine's Poem - "Starlight"

In introduction, I will determine and analyze different elements of Philip Levine's "starlight," such as, speaker; scenario; diction; imagery; figures of speech, and other components of poetry. All through this write-up the preceding components will be meticulously expounded upon.

The speaker of the poem I will termed as a 'he' since the poet is a male. The progression of the poem is vey climactic. In other words, it signifies a turning point like most operates. For instance, line # 21, which illustrates exactly where 'father and son' meet eye to eye (hence, enabling the son to bask in the glow of the starlight with his 'head up in the air'). Furthermore, he proceeded to ask his father the query that his father asked him earlier in the poem: "Are you content?" The speaker's point of view points to the reflections of himself as been an image of his father; developing up to be like his father, and 'the father like son' syndrome which, in a subtle way, is illustrated by the following lines: "I am 4 years old and developing tired (line three) - in comparison to - ... but I can smell the tiredness that hangs on his breath." (lines 16-17) In addition, the latter portion of the poem corroborates this point, as properly.

Of course, the point of view - as pointed out above - introduces the implied attitude of the speaker toward his view of the poem, as a result setting the tone of the poem which is incredibly somber and gray (which is in direct irony with its title, "Starlight") with the use of search phrases, such as, "developing tired; cigarette; moon riding low more than the old neighborhood; alone; thick and choked; the tiredness that hangs on his breath; autumn, and boy slept under no circumstances to waken in that planet once again."

The structure of the poem is quite exciting. Properly, it appears to be written in a closed kind upon viewing it, very first. Howbeit, even though it really is viewed closer it can be noted that the initial letters of the lines are not capitalized; only exactly where a new sentence starts. Hence, I surmised that its structure is presented in an open kind. In addition, there are neither visible breaks nor stanzas in the poem. I ponder, does the type represents "a tall, gaunt kid (line 28) or a somber, gray tower of Babel (in its aborted try) to proclaim itself to be there amongst the stars (line 21)?"

The theme of this poem is one of comparison (each emotionally and physically) in between speaker and his father as was illustrated in the above paragraphs - framed by it really is pleased - for example, lines 8 and 22. In these lines, the exact same query was asked by each parties (which give a subliminal reference to their emotional state). Plus, lines three and 17 ('tiredness') give a subliminal reference to their physical properly-becoming. In interpretation, these situations represent the speaker (a boy) 'expanding' into his father.

The predicament appears to be set in a little town. This assertion can be asserted by line 7 - "...low more than the old neighborhood...." Furthermore, the web site of this poem is assumed to be in Northeast America since of important words, such as, autumn; summer time moon, and porch (typically, veranda - outdoors of the United States). Additionally, I deducted this certain setting for the reason that of the stimulation that I received from reading the poem which, of course, is really subjective. Additionally, the experiences that is reflected in this poem permits me to draw on my own experiences as I draw a mental image of what is taking location in this poem. Hence, my response to the poem is quite subjective to its classical sense of writing. Plus, my reaction to the dynamics is somewhat subdued though the dynamics of the poem has an evenly paced up - tempo style.

In regard to the poem's style of writing/selection of words, particularly its diction - the diction utilised in this poem is really concrete. Excluding, of course, the poem's final 6 lines and the quote, "Are you content?" These quotes are abstract and are fundamentally the engine that drives the poem. For instance, these quotes are positioned in the starting and ending of the poem. Likewise, the poem is detonation oriented except for the above quotes which are cloaked in connotation. The meanings I construed in reference to the above quotes (respectively) are expounded upon in the following sentences. The 1st quote bargains with the speaker's happiness in his state of becoming in comparison to his father's happiness in his state of becoming (for instance, the father mentioned "yes" to the query even though the speaker hesitated to answer). The final 6 lines deal with the transition (reflection) of the son expanding up to be like his father in the future ("autumn...till the boy slept by no means to waken in that globe once more").

Apart from the 'father-son relationship' been the centerpiece of this poem. This literary perform is quite wealthy in imagery which captures my imagination. As I pointed out just before, keywords and phrases such as: "the glow of his cigarette, redder than the summer time moon riding" - lines # five - 6 - areas me in the active scenery of the poem. It suffers me to see the poem as seeing it as a film reel. I ought to say that his poem is visual (lines # five - 6), auditory (line # 22), olfactory (line # 25), gustatory (line # 16 - 17) and synaesthetic (line # 16 - 17).

In addition, the figures of speech (particularly the metaphors) add to this poem, as effectively. For instance, "...smell the tiredness that hangs on his breath." - lines # five - 6. On the other hand, there is a restricted use of similes and other figures of speech in this poem.

On the other hand, numerous components of poetry are properly represented. For instance, "autumn" - line # 30 - symbolizes adulthood going onto old age. The syntax does not include numerous rhymes (sounds) though rhythm and meter are maintained All through the poem. Also, the entire irony of the poem projects the gloominess of the experience into the background of the 'starry night' - thus, the title: "Starlight."

In conclusion, this poem was superbly written. The very first individual skillfully areas me in the poem, as a result creating me an active participant of the poem. The poem tends to make an exciting reading. I've been exposed to new insights from the speaker's point of view.

Karl A. Mitchell