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Love After Love - Derek Walcott The time will come when, with elation you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror and each will smile at the other's welcome, and say, sit here. Eat. You will love again the stranger who was your self. Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart to itself, to the stranger who has loved you all your life, whom you ignored for another, who knows you by heart. Take down the love letters from the bookshelf, the photographs, the desperate notes, peel your own image from the mirror. Sit. Feast on your life. Source: https://allpoetry.com/love-after-love Annotation Love After Love Line-by-Line Analysis: 1. The time will come: Meaning: The poem opens with a prophetic statement, suggesting a future moment of self-discovery and acceptance. Literary Device: Foreshadowing. 2. when, with elation: Meaning: This moment will be filled with joy and excitement, a celebration of rediscovering oneself. Literary Device: Diction ("elation...

 A City's Death By Fire - Derek Walcott After that hot gospeller has levelled all but the churched sky, I wrote the tale by tallow of a city's death by fire; Under a candle's eye, that smoked in tears, I Wanted to tell, in more than wax, of faiths that were snapped like wire. All day I walked abroad among the rubbled tales, Shocked at each wall that stood on the street like a liar; Loud was the bird-rocked sky, and all the clouds were bales Torn open by looting, and white, in spite of the fire. By the smoking sea, where Christ walked, I asked, why Should a man wax tears, when his wooden world fails? In town, leaves were paper, but the hills were a flock of faiths; To a boy who walked all day, each leaf was a green breath Rebuilding a love I thought was dead as nails, Blessing the death and the baptism by fire. Source: https://allpoetry.com/A-City's-Death-By-Fire Annotation Line-by-Line Analysis: 1. After that hot gospeller has levelled all but the churched sky, Key Phra...

George Eliot’s novel “The Mill on the Floss” explores several themes, including the complexities of familial relationships, the tension between individual desires and societal expectations, and the transformative power of memory. At its core, the novel delves into the struggles and conflicts faced by its protagonist, Maggie Tulliver, as she navigates the constraints of society and seeks to reconcile her own desires with the expectations placed upon her. One of the central themes of “The Mill on the Floss” is the exploration of familial relationships, particularly the complex bond between siblings. The relationship between Maggie and her brother Tom is at the heart of the novel. Eliot delves into the dynamics of their connection, portraying the love, loyalty, and conflicts that arise between them. The novel highlights the power of familial ties and the impact they have on shaping individuals’ lives, but also exposes the limitations and tensions that can arise within these relationships....

 In Charles Dickens’ novel “Hard Times,” the theme of class conflict is a central element that underscores the social, economic, and moral disparities between the working class and the industrial elite during the Victorian era. Dickens provides a critical examination of the detrimental effects of a rigid class system, capitalist exploitation, and the dehumanizing nature of industrialization. Through vivid characterizations, evocative settings, and thematic exploration, Dickens presents a scathing critique of the class divisions and the resulting conflicts within society. One of the primary ways in which the theme of class conflict is presented in the novel is through the stark contrast between the working class and the industrial elite. Characters like Stephen Blackpool, a factory worker, and Josiah Bounderby, a wealthy factory owner, exemplify this divide. Stephen’s poverty, lack of agency, and dehumanizing working conditions stand in stark contrast to Bounderby’s wealth, power, a...

In Charles Dickens’ novel “Hard Times,” the social condition of poverty is a prevailing theme that permeates the narrative and serves as a critique of the harsh realities faced by the working class during the Victorian era. The novel provides a stark portrayal of the adverse effects of industrialization, economic inequality, and a rigid class system on the lives of individuals living in poverty. Through vivid characterizations, evocative settings, and thematic exploration, Dickens present a compelling depiction of the social condition of poverty. One of the primary ways in which the novel portrays the social condition of poverty is through its characters. Characters like Stephen Blackpool, a factory worker, and his wife, Rachael, exemplify the struggles and hardships faced by the working class. Stephen’s lack of agency and constant poverty are highlighted, as he is trapped in a cycle of labor and unable to escape his dire circumstances. His interactions with other characters, such as h...

In E.M. Forster’s novel “A Passage to India,” the question of whether the English and Indian races can be friends is central to the narrative. The book begins and ends with this question, and Forster provides a nuanced exploration of the complexities and challenges that hinder friendship between the two races. While there is no straightforward answer, Forster suggests that genuine friendship between the English and Indians is possible, but it requires a genuine effort to understand, empathize, and overcome the barriers of colonialism and cultural differences. Forster presents a divided and hierarchical colonial society where racial and cultural differences are magnified. The English colonizers perceive themselves as superior and hold prejudiced views towards the Indians. This is evident in their condescending attitudes, stereotypes, and the sense of entitlement they exhibit. The Indians, on the other hand, feel oppressed and marginalized, with a deep resentment towards the English and ...

In E.M. Forster’s novel, “A Passage to India,” racism is a prominent theme that permeates the narrative and explores the complex dynamics between the English colonizers and the native Indians during the colonial era. Through various characters, incidents, and settings, Forster skillfully depicts the destructive and dehumanizing effects of racism in a nuanced and thought-provoking manner. One of the primary ways racism is portrayed in the novel is through the stark contrast in the treatment of the English and the Indians. The English colonizers, who view themselves as superior, often exhibit a patronizing and condescending attitude towards the native population. They consider themselves the civilizing force, imposing their values, customs, and legal systems on the Indians while treating them as inferior and subordinate. The racial divide is underscored in the setting of the British Club, which serves as a microcosm of colonial society. The Club becomes a symbol of exclusivity and racial...