"Acquainted With the Night": Symbolism

       After reading Acquainted With the Night by Robert Frost, I sense symbolism when discussing the matter of the night.  Night, most obviously, is affiliated with darkness and unpleasant happenings.  In this case, the speaker associates night with his life's struggles by saying he has "been one acquainted with the night" (Frost).  As the narrator walks on, it is clear that he feels isolated from the joyous world lived by most.  This character feels saddened by some memories at every objects he lays eyes on. The speaker uses night to express that he has dealt with peril and challenges in many aspects. All in all, the speaker is saying that he is no stranger to unfortunate circumstances.  In my opinion, the speaker seems to be extremely worn down by his rough life.  This symbol of night allows the audience to see the gloominess felt by speaker.

"I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed": Imagery

Nature joining the speaker in the mystical state of mind.

     In the brief poem, I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed, Emily Dickinson crafts a work making a comparison between intoxication and a mystical state of mind.  This piece of literature, though diminutive in length, is jammed packed with imagery, furthering the overall meaning of the work.  Firstly, Dickinson begins her work by saying that the speaker tastes "a liquor never brewed" (Dickinson).  This statement, right at the start, implies that the narrator is not, in fact, under alcoholic inebriation.  But, the line does suggest that the speaker is under the same affects.  The speaker seems to have been "inebriate of air..." (Dickinson).  Moreover, this narrator is in this state of mind because of the surrounding nature.  Dickinson throws in imagery of "drunken bees... (and) butterflies..." being the drinking buddies of this speaker (Dickinson).  Overall, I predict Emily Dickinson is recognizing the approval of the heavens when one is overjoyed with the beauty of nature.

"Sorting Laundry": Metaphor

     The poem, Sorting Laundry by Elisavietta Richie, compares the action of folding clothes with folding a lover into her love.  On a side note, since the poem was written in 1932, I predict the work tells of a woman thinking of her daily life and linking it to folding laundry.  I assume Richie chooses the chore of folding laundry because it is an endless happening that really is never finished.  Like laundry in a household, there will always be love between the woman and her husband.  This metaphor goes over the "week over week journey..." of the couple (Richie).  As the woman folds her laundry, she recalls the memories she has engaged in with her lover.  The different articles of clothing remind this woman of the many surprises and adventures that have occurred over the years.  It is made clear that, without her husband, this woman would be incomplete and empty.

"Batter My Heart, Three- Personed God": Tone

      In the poem, Batter My Heart, Three- Personed God, John Donne writes of a person's feelings about and relationship with God.  The speaker begins with a soft, loving tone as he describes God's ability to "batter (his) heart..." as well as "knock, breath, shine, and seek to mend" (Donne).  These thoughts craft the notion that the speaker looks at God as an almighty being, powerful force.  However, the tone gradually hardens.  The speaker recognizes that he must "labor to admit... but oh, to no end" (Donne).  This implies that the narrator dislikes being the "weak or untrue" laborer to God, when he does nothing, but love him.  I interpret this poem to be the thoughts of a man with conflicted feelings.  The speaker feels he "never shall be free" from God, but God, being a powerful force, will always be there for him (Donne).