I really need help on this, please help!
Posted by Priscilla on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 5:28pm.
I did not really understand the poem, Moon Rondeau. Here is the lyrics:
"Love is a door we shall open together."
So they told each other under the moon
One evening when the smell of leaf mould
And the beginnings of roses and potatoes
Came on a wind.
Late in the hours of that evening
They looked long at the moon and called it
A silver button, a copper coin, a bronze wafer,
A plaque of gold, a vanished diadem,
A brass hat dripping from deep waters.
"People like us,
us two,
We own the moon."
I am confused by the poem. I am supposed to analyze the poem, but first I need to understand the poem...
What does "Love is a door we shall open together." mean to the poem?
What does the word, "they", in "So they told each other under the moon" refer to?
A couple?
Why did the poet say " We own the moon.", What does that mean?
What messages did the poet want to give readers?
Can you explain the poem to me?
Any help will be appreciated.
Responses
English - GuruBlue, Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 5:47pm
What time of year do you find leaf mold and roses and potatoes, all at the same time? Are these people young or older?
What happens when you "open a door"? That is often used to indicate a new experience, a new world, a new freedom.
These people were talking together on an evening when the moon was out. What significance would the moon have to them in future years?
English - Writeacher, Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 6:00pm
"Love is a door we shall open together."
Two people who are falling love with each other at the same time will go through the entire experience together.
So they told each other under the moon
"they" = "we" in the first line
One evening when the smell of leaf mould
And the beginnings of roses and potatoes
Came on a wind.
Late in the hours of that evening
They looked long at the moon and called it
A silver button, a copper coin, a bronze wafer,
A plaque of gold, a vanished diadem,
A brass hat dripping from deep waters.
"People like us,
us two,
We own the moon."
Do any human beings literally own the moon? Or are the two new lovers continuing their imaginary thoughts begun in the second stanza?
English - Priscilla, Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 8:47pm
What time of year do you find leaf mold and roses and potatoes, all at the same time? Are these people young or older?
leaf mold--winter?
roses and potatoes--spring?
no?
older?
What significance would the moon have to them in future years?
No ideas
(I don't really know)
Do any human beings literally own the moon?
Is there a chinese thing that someone called Chang'e relate to the moon?
Thank you!
English - Priscilla, Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 9:47pm
Are the any figurative language or sound devices used here?
Is "Love is a door we shall open together." an example of metaphor?
Imagery-smell:leaf mould, roses and potatoes?
Thank you!
Yes that is a metaphor.
Leaf mould is used in planting season.
The BEGINNINGS.... of roses and potatoes...metaphor for spring.
Alliteration is a sound device...words beginning with the same sound... there are several lines with that.
Also look for assonance, the repetition of vowel sound. What about mould, potatoes, roses?
If something has special signicance to a couple or a person, then they "own" that thing or moment or place. Not literally, but it does belong to them.
Also
Also?
Anyway, thanks.
Priscilla, you really need to learn how to do this on your own. Poetry is just not that difficult, as long as you are willing to turn your imagination loose.
Here are a couple of websites with EXCELLENT directions for reading and analyzing poems:
http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ReadingPoetry.html
http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/markport/best/study/poetry.htm
I don't know about you but I needed help with this poem too and these people are no help. :)
To understand the poem "Moon Rondeau" by Priscilla, let's break it down and analyze it.
First, let's address the line "Love is a door we shall open together." In this line, the poet is using a metaphor to describe love. Love is compared to a door that two people open together. Opening a door often symbolizes new experiences, new worlds, or new freedoms. Therefore, the poet is suggesting that love is an adventure that two people will embark on together.
The word "they" in the line "So they told each other under the moon" refers to the couple in the poem. The couple is having a conversation under the moonlight and sharing their thoughts and feelings.
The poet says "We own the moon" as a way to express the deep connection and unity between the couple. It is a figurative statement that indicates the strength and significance of their relationship. It implies that they feel a sense of ownership over the moon, symbolizing their profound bond.
The poet wants to convey several messages to the readers. The poem highlights the power of love and how it can bring two people together. It emphasizes the idea of shared experiences and the importance of unity within a relationship. The moon serves as a symbol of romance, mystery, and beauty, adding depth and atmosphere to the poem.
In terms of figurative language and sound devices, "Love is a door we shall open together" is an example of a metaphor, as mentioned before. The poet uses imagery to describe the evening when the couple is talking under the moonlight. The smell of leaf mold, roses, and potatoes creates a vivid sensory experience for the readers.
Overall, the poem "Moon Rondeau" explores the theme of love and unity. It uses metaphor, imagery, and symbolism to convey its message. By understanding the figurative language and analyzing the underlying meanings, you can gain a deeper insight into the poem.