A Comparative Analysis of Poems: Introduction to Literature

This essay provides a detailed literary analysis of several poems, including 'Nostalgia' by Billy Collins, 'Daddy' by Sylvia Plath, 'Eating Poetry' by Mark Strand, and 'The Operation' by Anne Sexton. The analysis delves into the poems' themes, literary techniques, and the authors' unique writing styles. The essay examines the use of hyperbole, irony, similes, metaphors, and confessional poetry, providing insights into the poets' perspectives and the emotional impact of their works. The essay also explores the autobiographical nature of the poems and the personal experiences reflected in them, such as the exploration of complex relationships and the expression of innermost feelings. The analysis highlights the significance of each poem and the reasons for the author's preference for Sexton's 'The Operation'. The essay provides a comprehensive understanding of the selected poems and their literary significance.

Running head: Introduction to Literature
Introduction to Literature
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
The poem entitled. ‘Nostalgia’ by Billy Collins was written in 1991. In the poem, Billy
Collins employs one of the oldest techniques of humour namely the hyperbole. The poem
reiterates a sense of wistfulness and longing for the past. The writing of Billy Collins reflects a
sense of longing and he writes in a gentle humorous way. He displays a profound understanding
of subjects and his writing style is emblematic of both humour and solemnity. The poem is
written in first person narrative and is descriptive in nature.
Humour and irony are a distinctive style of Billy Collins and in the poem entitled
‘Introduction to Poetry’, which was written in 1996, is full of similes and metaphors as the poet
asks his readers to delve into a poem and appreciate it without hankering for an explanation. The
poem is free verse poem of sixteen lines and is made up of seven stanzas. The meter is irregular
for the most part of the poem and the tone of the poem is slightly didactic in nature.
The poem entitled ‘Daddy’ was written by Sylvia Plath is a very disturbing and a dark
poet where Sylvia Plath kills her father’s memory metaphorically. She presents herself as a Jew
and makes her father a Nazi thereby dramatizing the inner turmoil in her soul (Bhasin, 2015). It
is a confessional poem and when Sylvia Plath drives a stake through her father’s heart she is
metaphorically not only killing her husband but all men (Kennedy, 2017).
The poem entitled ‘Eating Poetry’ by Mark Strand published in his 1968 is a surreal
poem that is set in a library. The poem is about a person eating poetry and the effects that it has
on the person, upsets the librarian. It has six stanzas comprising of eighteen lines. Each tercet
gives us a greater understanding of the mind of the speaker and the strange consequences that
unfurl once he has eaten the poetry. There are examples of anaphora in the poem and alliteration
occurs in the second stanza of the poem with comparatively soft consonants. Assonance occurs a

2INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
plethora of times in the poem. After consuming the poetry, the speaker is a new man who
embraces the love of poetry.
The poem entitled ‘The Operation’ by Anne Sexton published in 1962 consists of a
plethora of themes and images such as the interwoven themes of life and death and the
relationship between a mother and daughter. Anne Sexton’s poems are autobiographical in
nature and reflect her innermost feelings. Her style of poetry is confessional poetry (Kennedy,
2017). Depression and an interest in death are a major theme in her poems (Kennedy, 2017). One
becomes acquainted with the poet as it reveals the experiences that she has gone through.
‘The Operation’ by Anne Sexton is my favourite poem as it is autobiographical in nature.
It reveals the innermost thoughts and feelings of the poet. I feel it takes a lot of courage to
express oneself to bare one’s soul to the world and therefore it is my favourite poem.

3INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
REFERENCES:
Bhasin, A. L. (2015). Sylvia Plath’s Daddy: The Intersection of the Personal and the
Historical. Ruminations: The Andrean Journal of Literature, 44.
Kennedy, B. (2017). Hope and Hopelessness: A Study of Confessional Poets Sylvia Plath and
Anne Sexton.