Analysis of Sylvia Plath’s ‘Metaphors’: Pregnancy and Poetic Form
Metaphors in Sylvia Plath’s Poem
Literal Comprehension
The pregnant speaker feels like an unsolved question because she does not know the sex of the unborn baby. Her body is big and rounded, like an elephant, a big house, or a melon. The growing baby inside is valuable, like ivory, and well-built. It is like a newly minted coin inside her. She feels helpless, like a pregnant cow, because she is only a means. She has eaten green apples to satisfy her desire to eat something sour. The baby is inside,
Read MoreLope de Vega and 17th-Century Theater
Lope de Vega
Item 9. Lope de Vega
Lope de Vega was a passionate figure in the literary life of his time. His love life was intense, his religiosity led him to become a priest, and he had very influential friends.
Works
- Poetry: Rhymes
Rhymes is a compilation that includes poetic texts, most notably sonnets.
- Narrative: Notable works include the pastoral novel Arcadia and the Byzantine novel The Pilgrim in His Own Country. Arcadia describes court life in Alba de Tormes. The Pilgrim in His Own Country is
Galician Avant-Garde Poetry: Movements & Key Figures
The Avant-Gardes in Galicia
The “Nós” group, with their work restoring Galician culture and their universalizing vision, opened doors for the incorporation of avant-garde movements into Galician literature. Particularly important was the influence of *Risco*, who introduced Manuel Antonio to “isms” and the trends of Eastern Europe.
The Galician avant-garde youth, also known as the Generation of ’25, were born around 1900. They represented a break and a critical attitude towards the prevailing poetry:
Read More14th-16th Century Literature: Crisis, Transition, Renaissance
The 14th-Century Crisis
The 14th century is usually considered a time of crisis. Weakening fiefdoms helped the consolidation of the bourgeoisie. It was also a time of great plague, which decimated the population and caused deep pessimism, while also creating a frantic desire to enjoy life. There is a realistic and satirical literature focused on everyday concerns, forming a defense against the dangers of the world and promoting enjoyment of life: tales. In Spain, notable works include those of Don
Read MoreAnalyzing History and Drama: Key Elements & Subgenres
Analysis of History
The analysis of history includes the characterization of four elements: actions, characters, time, and space. According to their role in the story, characters can be protagonists or secondary. The players perform a series of actions to achieve certain objectives. In those actions, they involve other characters that operate as allies (if they help) or adversaries (if they hinder their goals). The space can be unique or diverse, rural or urban, realistic or fantastic. The time can
Read MoreNovecentismo and the Avant-Garde: A Literary Analysis
Novecentismo and the Avant-Garde
In Spain, the literary group that succeeded the modernists and the Generation of ’98 is known as Novecentismo or the Generation of 1914. Its members are characterized by a European orientation and a conception of art as an activity separate from social and political concerns.
During the early decades of the 20th century, Europe saw the rise of various artistic movements, called the avant-garde, which radically broke with the themes and expressive techniques of Romanticism
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