hi can someone pleases help me analyze this poem. I need a lot of help
In The Gallery
Here neither nymph nor naiad ever bathed
nor Saint refreshed herself in pristine water,
here, in The Gallery, between Tie Rack,
Camera Shop, B. Dalton, Radio Shack,
Dad's Pizzas, Message Cards and Chez
Chocolat, a stream and pool are held
in marble, or simulated marble, banks
with fountains on two levels and a water-
fall, where pumped recirculated water's
splash and gurgle cools or seems to cool
the loud bright air so filled with crowds and hawkers,
bottom agleam with shining coins whose shimmer
reflects the neon clash of colors flashing
on pennies aglitter, gleaming quarters, dimes
tossed in from the concrete shore or flung
from the arched bridge that joins one teeming aisle
of bargains to the other, each coin sent
with a silent, urgent wish to some unseen power--
Dear Goddess of Good Luck, whatever your name now,
please smile on us, who make this place your grove.
Think of one of those fake fountains in shopping malls where people (especially little kids!) like to throw money and make a wish.
To what is this poet contrasting this type of fountain?
What images does the poet use to make absolutely sure the readers understand that this is no natural waterway (fountain, waterfall, river, stream, etc.)?
How do the first and last couplets compare and contrast with each other?
i really don't know
please please help me
You don't know what?
You need to ask specific questions here, questions that indicate that you have indeed read the work and are trying. Exactly what don't you know?
Sure, I can help you analyze the poem. Let's break it down stanza by stanza and explore the various elements and themes present.
Stanza 1:
The first stanza sets the scene in a location called "The Gallery." The speaker remarks that this place is devoid of any natural beings like nymphs or saints taking a bath. This creates a contrast between the artificial and the natural world.
Stanza 2:
The second stanza describes the surroundings in The Gallery. It mentions various stores like Tie Rack, Camera Shop, B. Dalton, Radio Shack, Dad's Pizzas, Message Cards, and Chez Chocolat. In the midst of all these commercial establishments, there is a stream and pool made of marble or simulated marble. This juxtaposition of consumerism and nature further emphasizes the artificiality of the environment.
Stanza 3:
The third stanza focuses on the experience of being in The Gallery. The fountain within the marble banks splashes and gurgles, seemingly providing a refreshing atmosphere. The contrast between the loud and bright atmosphere filled with crowds and vendors and the cooling effect of the water creates tension within the poem.
Stanza 4:
The fourth stanza highlights the bottom of the pool, which glimmers with coins tossed by visitors. These coins reflect the neon colors of the surrounding signs and lights. The tossing of coins can be seen as a symbolic act of making wishes or seeking luck.
Stanza 5:
The final stanza addresses an unseen power, referred to as the "Goddess of Good Luck," to whom the visitors silently and urgently send their wishes. The speaker asks this deity to smile upon them, acknowledging their acknowledgment of the goddess's presence and influence in The Gallery.
Overall, the poem explores the theme of the artificiality and superficiality of consumerism within a contemporary setting. It contrasts the natural world with the commercialized environment, suggesting a longing for a deeper connection to nature and a recognition of the potential emptiness of material pursuits. Additionally, the act of tossing coins and making silent wishes represents a desire for luck or a change of fortune.
Now that we've analyzed the poem together, I hope you have a better understanding of its key elements and themes.