Analyzing 20th Century Poems

By Georgi Pregulman

MULVIHILL, EMILYEnglish IIMay 6, 2016

“ Rhapsody on a Windy Night” By T.S. Eliot

SummaryIn this poem a man is walking alone on a street from night time to early morning. This man is unhappy and its suggested that this will be his last walk.

"Rhapsody on a Windy Night"

"Rhapsody on a Windy Night"

Influence20th Century American Literature is conveyed throughout this poem with its imagery, tone, and symbolism. The lunar moon symbolizes insanity. The street lamps personify the mans dissociated voice. Furthermore he remembers his childhood and sees himself in a boy that passes by. This may suggest that the modern 20th century and its technology could have caused his depression.

“Languages” by Carl Sandburg

“Languages”

Summary In this poem Sandburg relates the World to a river. It explains how the World “changes courses,” finds new routes, and exchanges at borders, just like rivers. Moreover, he explains how though the changes may be subtle, over time they have big impacts on society. He also explains how we are growing together at time goes on.

“Languages”

InfluenceSimilar to T.S. Eliot, Sandburg uses tone, symbolism, and imagery to convey 20th Century American Literature. He uses a soft tone throughout the poem to demonstrate the change in our society and in nature. Likewise, he uses river to symbolize the way languages are lost while new ones are found. This imagery and symbolism convey his modernism writing style.