Cozy Apologia Flashcards
(9 cards)
language and imagery
Everyday Objects as Symbols: Dove begins by noting how mundane items like a lamp or the rain remind her of Fred, suggesting that their love permeates every aspect of her daily life.
Romantic Clichés with a Twist: She humorously envisions Fred as a “knight in shining armor,” acknowledging traditional romantic tropes while simultaneously poking fun at them.
Colloquial and Modern References: The poem includes mentions of “compact disks” and “faxes,” grounding the poem in its contemporary setting and contrasting with the earlier medieval imagery.
Personification of the Hurricane: Hurricane Floyd is depicted as “Big Bad Floyd,” giving it a persona and emphasizing its looming presence in their lives
structure and form
Free Verse with Rhythmic Variations: The poem doesn’t adhere to a strict rhyme scheme, reflecting the unpredictability of life and love.
Enjambment and Caesura: Dove employs these techniques to create a conversational tone and to mirror the natural flow of thoughts and memories.
Stanza Progression: The poem moves from present observations to past reflections and back, illustrating the continuity and depth of their relationship
themes
Ordinary Love: Dove celebrates the comfort and security found in everyday love, suggesting that it doesn’t need grand gestures to be meaningful.
Reflection and Memory: The poem delves into past relationships and contrasts them with her current, more fulfilling partnership.
External Chaos vs. Internal Peace: The impending hurricane symbolizes external turmoil, while the speaker’s thoughts and feelings highlight the inner calm provided by her relationship
context
Autobiographical Elements: Rita Dove wrote this poem for her husband, Fred Viebahn, making it a personal reflection on their relationship.
Historical Setting: The poem is set against the backdrop of Hurricane Floyd in 1999, which affected the East Coast of the United States
quotes
‘I could pick anything and think of you—‘
‘shooting arrows to the heart’ and ‘with furrowed brow’
‘teenage crushes of worthless boys’
‘we’re content, but fall short of the Divine’
‘I could pick anything and think of you—‘
Hyperbolic Expression: The claim that “anything” can evoke thoughts of her partner is an example of hyperbole, emphasizing the depth and pervasiveness of her affection.
Conversational Tone: The use of the first-person pronoun “I” and the direct address “you” creates a conversational and personal tone, drawing the reader into the speaker’s introspective world.
Enjambment and Punctuation: The dash at the end of the line indicates a pause, suggesting that the speaker’s thoughts are ongoing and perhaps overwhelming, reflecting the continuous presence of her partner in her mind.
Theme of Ordinary Love: By stating that any object can remind her of her partner, the speaker elevates everyday experiences, highlighting the theme that true love permeates all aspects of daily life, not just grand or romantic moments
‘shooting arrows to the heart’ and ‘with furrowed brow’
‘shooting arrows to the heart’:
Imagery and Symbolism:
This phrase evokes the classical image of Cupid, the Roman god of love, who causes individuals to fall in love by shooting arrows into their hearts. By referencing this motif, Dove taps into a universal symbol of sudden, passionate love.
Tone and Irony:
While the imagery is romantic, there’s an undercurrent of irony. The certainty implied by “sure as shooting arrows” contrasts with the unpredictable nature of love, suggesting a tension between idealized romance and real-life relationships. This duality reflects the poem’s exploration of both genuine affection and the clichés often associated with love.
Structural Consideration:
The use of enjambment in these lines creates a flowing, almost breathless rhythm, mirroring the speaker’s immersion in her romantic daydreams
‘with furrowed brow’:
Characterization:
Describing the imagined hero with a “furrowed brow” adds depth to the romantic fantasy. It suggests concern, determination, or focus, portraying the hero as someone deeply engaged in his quest to “set me free.”
Contrast and Realism:
This detail introduces a touch of realism into the otherwise idealized depiction. While the hero is adorned in “chain mail” and rides a “dappled mare,” the “furrowed brow” hints at the challenges and seriousness inherent in real relationships, grounding the fantasy in genuine emotion
These phrases exemplify how Dove intertwines romantic fantasy with subtle realism. By invoking classical symbols of love and then infusing them with nuanced details, she invites readers to reflect on the complexities of affection, the allure of idealized romance, and the authenticity found in everyday partnership
‘teenage crushes of worthless boys’
language and tone:
Colloquial Expression: The term “teenage crushes” conveys a casual, conversational tone, emphasizing the youthful and perhaps naive nature of these past infatuations.
Dismissive Adjective: Describing the boys as “worthless” is a stark and dismissive choice, indicating that, in hindsight, the speaker sees little value in those past relationships.
Alliteration: The repetition of the ‘w’ sound in “worthless” and “boys” adds a rhythmic quality, subtly emphasizing the speaker’s scorn
interpretation and themes:
Contrast with Present Love: By recalling these superficial past relationships, the speaker highlights the depth and authenticity of her current love. The “worthless boys” serve as a foil to her partner, underscoring his value and the maturity of their relationship.
Reflection and Growth: The line signifies personal growth. The speaker has moved beyond fleeting teenage infatuations to a stable, meaningful partnership, illustrating a journey from immaturity to emotional maturity
‘we’re content, but fall short of the Divine’
language and tone
Colloquial Expression: The phrase “We’re content” employs everyday language, establishing a conversational and intimate tone.
Contrast and Juxtaposition: The conjunction “but” introduces a contrast between their contentment and the idea of the “Divine,” suggesting a gap between their real-life relationship and an idealized, perhaps unattainable, form of perfect love.
Capitalization of “Divine”: By capitalizing “Divine,” Dove emphasizes the concept as something exalted or transcendent, possibly alluding to religious or mythic ideals of love
interpretation and themes
Realism vs. Idealism: The speaker acknowledges that while their relationship is satisfying, it doesn’t align with the lofty ideals of perfect love often portrayed in literature or religion.
Acceptance of Imperfection: This line reflects a mature understanding that real relationships may not be flawless or “Divine,” but they can still provide deep contentment and stability.
Subversion of Romantic Tropes: By stating they “fall short of the Divine,” Dove challenges traditional romantic narratives that equate true love with perfection, instead valuing the authenticity found in everyday companionship
