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Comparison between Hope Is The Thing With Feathers and I Hear America Singing
Introduction To Literature (ENGL 220)
Hunter College CUNY
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Essay 1: “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers” and “I Hear America Singing” Hope is an emotion that gives everyone something to hold onto in life, love, family or the future. One may have hope in something that another may not care about at all. As time moves along, everyone is lost in the distractions and frustrations of life. Nonetheless, they remain with a thread of hope that makes them stronger and ready to begin anew. The poems “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers” and “I Hear America Singing,” are examples of such hopes--- transferred from the minds of the authors and immortalized on paper. In these poems, the authors show what hope means to them and describe it to the readers. The poem, “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers” is exemplifying hope as an extended metaphor of a bird. The bird is present in every human soul and it sings when times get tough. As the poem begins, the author seems to put emphasis on the first word--- hope. It is described using a metaphor as, “like a bird can perch in the human soul.” Feathers are soft in real life but at the same time, they can be strong in flight for birds. They tend to be made up of complex individual proteins and fibers. Therefore, it indirectly hints that unity is strength no matter what it consists of. The imagery grows throughout the poem, showing how people can portray hope as many things. In the second stanza, it is depicted that “Hope” is always singing; however, it sings the sweetest when Gale starts to blow. Hence, when life gets hard and when unexpected events happen, no matter how much the pressure, people get through it--- like Hope sings through the chaotic mess. In addition, “I Hear America Singing,” is voicing the idea of the perfect America. The poet begins his poem through “varied carols” of the diverse culture in America. Examples of the mechanic, carpenter, boatman, shoemaker, mason and woodcutter indicate their feelings alongside the chorus. These individuals make up the uniqueness of America. Through this poem, the authors’ display the components of what society is made up of--- hard work and labor. He shows the creativity of labor and includes the achievements that make society something worth living in. This poem illustrates Whitman’s love of America and how these industrious individuals contribute to making it great. Therefore, one can assume that Whiteman has hope of America becoming or remaining such a distinctive society. Each labor has their own hope of continuing what they do and expressing the joy of completing the work. Whiteman views America as such excellent opportunities for individuals who can lend their ingenuity and follows to the end with “melodious singing”--- exhibiting that without these hands, America is without hope. The poems “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers” and “I hear America Singing” both represent the idea of hope, and reading the poems can make the readers think about their own hopes. There is beauty in both of these poems, which demonstrates how this four-letter word “hope” can persevere through one’s mind, despite going through tough situations. Those who still have belief of good or of a chance left through impending dark things, need the light most. These poems serve as the light in a reader’s mind, which discloses that hope doesn’t end anywhere. “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers” clearly indicates that keeping hope makes tough situations worth fighting for. It may not plainly be written, but as you read the poem, you realize that the bird paints what it feels like to have hope. As a bird would fly around, even after a storm, it’s first instinct is to wait for
Comparison between Hope Is The Thing With Feathers and I Hear America Singing
Course: Introduction To Literature (ENGL 220)
University: Hunter College CUNY
