I need to use the SMELL(speaker, meaning, emotion, language, layout) method to analyze the poem "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Sara Teasdale, and explain all 5 elements and prove them with a quote. I think I have the rest down, except the speaker. Who is the speaker? Is he/she male or female, and who is he/she? I know it is not the poet, and the speaker is has an observer POV. Any ideas?
I would say the speaker is the poet, or an omniscient observer, who is the poet.
I think it is a victim of war, do you think that makes sense? Cuz it specifically says "would scarcely know that WE were gone"- the "we"? Does that say anything?
To determine the speaker in a poem, it is essential to closely examine the poet's choice of words, perspective, and overall tone. In the case of "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Sara Teasdale, the speaker can be identified by analyzing the elements within the text.
The SMELL method you mentioned (speaker, meaning, emotion, language, layout) is a helpful framework for literary analysis. Let's focus on figuring out the speaker of the poem and provide some evidence from the text to support our understanding.
To establish the speaker, start by examining the perspective and voice throughout the poem. In "There Will Come Soft Rains," the speaker embodies a detached observer point of view. The speaker does not overtly express personal feelings or emotions but rather provides a descriptive account of nature's resilience amidst human absence.
The speaker's gender is not explicitly stated in the poem, which allows for various interpretations. It is important to note that the gender of the speaker may not necessarily align with the poet's gender.
To support this understanding, consider the lines from the poem:
"And not one will know of the war, not one
Will care at last when it is done.
Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree,
If mankind perished utterly;"
In these lines, the speaker reflects upon the aftermath of war and suggests that nature would continue its course regardless of humanity's existence. The use of the pronouns "one" and "mankind" indicates a universal perspective or a broad, collective voice rather than an individual or personal stance. This reinforces the detached observer point of view.
In conclusion, the speaker in "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Sara Teasdale assumes a genderless and detached observer position. Through the absence of personal emotions and the use of inclusive language, the speaker presents a universal viewpoint regarding the insignificance of human presence in comparison to nature's resilience. Always remember to provide further evidence from the text to support your analysis.