Cozy Apologia by Rita Dove Flashcards
(8 cards)
What is the poem about?
Written in 1999, ‘Cozy Apologia’ is a poem about the poet’s profound love for her husband, set against the arrival of Hurricane Floyd, the deadliest hurricane in US history. As the couple shelter from the storm at home, Dove depicts the strength of her emotion, proving that even ordinary love is worthy of poetic tribute.
What is the structure of the poem?
Juxtaposition between the dreamlike quality of the first stanza with the reality in the second stanza.
Caesura after “Event” marks a dramatic shift from the mundane aspects of modern life to the sudden, unpredictable arrival of a hurricane.
Enjambment throughout the stanza reflects the chaos of the storm, interrupting the stanza in the same way the storm disrupts people’s lives.
The use of parentheses, “(Twin desks…)” reflects their intimate and domestic cocoon.
“Cozy apologia”
Title juxtaposes the informal and homely with a formal defence — an apologia; even if their love is comfortable rather than passionate, it is still worthy of a love poem.
“I could pick anything and think of you—
This lamp, the wind-still rain, the glossy blue”
The first two lines are written in iambic pentameter (a common structure found in love sonnets) but lacks a fixed metrical structure throughout. This departure from the established form suggests the speaker’s love does not conform to an idealised stereotype.
“arrows to the heart”
The allusion to “arrows to the heart” humorously parallels Cupid’s influence on their love, while the next line parodies a heroic knight’s tale. These grandiose genres contrast with the poem’s depiction of a warm, intimate bond that does not need elevation.
“We’re content, but fall short of the Divine.
Still, it’s embarrassing, this happiness—”
Caesura highlights the contrast between their current contentment and the ideal of divine happiness. It highlights the poem’s message of valuing ordinary moments of happiness, however mundane they appear.
“lamp”, “rain”, “pen”
The asyndetic list suggests everything reminds her of him
What is the form of the poem?
From line 15, the disruption of the rhyme scheme parallels Dove’s wandering mind, becoming awkward as uncomfortable memories emerge.
The rhyme “Dewey”/”Chewy” adds a comedic effect
Further disruption to the rhyme reflects the disruption of the imminent storm.
The iambic tetrameter in the final line reinforces Dove’s comfort in her relationship.
