In the introduction, I will identify and analyze various components of Philip Levine’s “starlight”, such as, speaker; situation; diction; images; rhetorical figures and other elements of poetry. Throughout this article the above elements will be meticulously exposed.
I will call the speaker of the poem “he” because the poet is a man. The progression of the poem is very culminating. In other words, it means a turning point like most works. For example, line # 21, which illustrates where ‘father and son’ meet face to face (thus allowing the son to enjoy the glow of starlight with his ‘head held high’). Furthermore, he proceeded to ask his father the question his father asked him earlier in the poem: “Are you happy?” The speaker’s point of view points to reflections of himself as the image of his father; growing up to be like his father, and the ‘father like son’ syndrome that is subtly illustrated by the following lines: “I am four years old and I am getting tired (line 3) – compared to – … but I can smell the tiredness that hangs on your breath. ” (lines 16-17) Furthermore, the last part of the poem also corroborates this point.
Of course, point of view, as noted above, introduces the speaker’s implicit attitude toward his view of the poem, thus setting the tone of the poem which is very bleak and gray (which is in direct irony with its title, “Starlight” ) with the use of keywords, such as “tired; cigarette; moon lowering over the old neighborhood; lonely; thick and drowned; the fatigue that hangs on his breath; fall, and the child slept never to wake up that world again” .
The structure of the poem is very interesting. Well, it seems to be written tightly when you see it, initially. However, when you look closer, you can notice that the initial letters of the lines are not capitalized; only where a new sentence begins. Therefore, I assumed that its structure is presented in an open way. Also, there are no cuts or stanzas visible in the poem. I wonder if the shape represents “a tall, emaciated child (line 28) or a gloomy gray tower of Babel (in its failed attempt) to proclaim itself there among the stars (line 21)”.
The subject of this poem is one of comparison (both emotionally and physically) between the speaker and his father, as illustrated in the previous paragraphs, framed by its content, for example, lines 8 and 22. In these lines, it was made the same question from both parties (who give a subliminal reference to their emotional state). In addition, lines 3 and 17 (‘tiredness’) give a subliminal reference to your physical well-being. In interpretation, these cases represent the speaker (a child) “growing up” to become his father.
The situation seems to be set in a small town. This statement can be stated with line 7 – “… low over the old neighborhood …” Also, the site of this poem is assumed to be in Northeast America due to keywords, such as fall; summer moon and porch (usually veranda, outside the United States). Also, I deduced this particular scenario from the encouragement I received from reading the poem which of course is very subjective. Also, the experiences reflected in this poem allow me to draw on my own experiences by drawing a mental picture of what is happening in this poem. Therefore, my response to the poem is very subjective to its classical sense of writing. Also, my reaction to the dynamics is somewhat subdued, although the dynamics of the poem has a fast-paced, uniform pace.
Regarding the writing style / word choice of the poem, specifically its diction, the diction used in this poem is very concrete. Excluding, of course, the last six lines of the poem and the quote “Are you happy?” These quotes are abstract and are basically the engine that drives the poem. For example, these quotes are at the beginning and end of the poem. Similarly, the poem is geared towards detonation, except for the above quotes which are wrapped in connotations. The meanings that I interpreted in reference to the above quotes (respectively) are set out in the following sentences. The first quote deals with the happiness of the speaker in his state of being compared to the happiness of his father in his state of being (for example, the father said “yes” to the question while the speaker hesitated to answer). The last six lines deal with the transition (reflection) of the son growing up to be like his father in the future (“autumn … until the child slept, never to wake up again in that world”).
Furthermore the ‘father-son relationship’ has been the centerpiece of this poem. This literary work is very rich in images that capture my imagination. As I noted earlier, keywords like: “the glow of your cigarette, redder than the summer moon riding” – lines # 5 – 6 – put me in the active setting of the poem. It pains me to see the poem as a film reel. I must say that his poem is visual (lines # 5 – 6), auditory (line # 22), olfactory (line # 25), gustatory (line # 16 – 17) and synesthetic (line # 16 – 17).
Furthermore, figures of speech (specifically metaphors) also add to this poem. For example, “… smell the fatigue that hangs on your breath.” – lines # 5 – 6. On the other hand, there is limited use of similes and other figures of speech in this poem.
On the other hand, various elements of poetry are well represented. For example, “fall” – line # 30 – symbolizes adulthood reaching old age. The syntax does not contain many rhymes (sounds) although the rhythm and meter are maintained throughout the poem. In addition, all the irony of the poem projects the sadness of the experience in the background of the “starry night”, hence the title: “Starlight”.
In conclusion, this poem was excellently written. The first person cleverly places me in the poem, thus making me an active participant in the poem. The poem is an interesting read. I have been exposed to new knowledge from the speaker’s point of view.