A Formalistic Analysis on Henry Reed's "The Naming of Parts"

Formalistic Analysis

To-day we have naming of parts. Yesterday,

We had daily cleaning. And to-morrow morning,

We shall have what to do after firing. But to-day,

To-day we have naming of parts. Japonica

Glistens like coral in all of the neighboring gardens,

And to-day we have naming of parts.

This is the lower sling swivel. And this

Is the upper sling swivel, whose use you will see,

When you are given your slings. And this is the piling swivel,

Which in your case you have not got. The branches

Hold in the gardens their silent, eloquent gestures,

Which in our case we have not got.

This is the safety-catch, which is always released

With an easy flick of the thumb. And please do not let me

See anyone using his finger. You can do it quite easy

If you have any strength in your thumb. The blossoms

Are fragile and motionless, never letting anyone see

Any of them using their finger.

And this you can see is the bolt. The purpose of this

Is to open the breech, as you see. We can slide it

Rapidly backwards and forwards: we call this

Easing the spring. And rapidly backwards and forwards

The early bees are assaulting and fumbling the flowers:

They call it easing the Spring.

They call it easing the Spring: it is perfectly easy

If you have any strength in your thumb: like the bolt,

And the breech, and the cocking-piece, and the point of balance,

Which in our case we have not got; and the almond-blossom

Silent in all of the gardens and the bees going backwards and forwards,

For to-day we have naming of parts.

                The Naming of Parts by Henry Reed was a part of his work Lessons of the War. Without the background of the author or even in the military and war, one could not grasp the poem denotatively. But knowing the basics of this poetry, we can say that the poem’s setting was in a military training camp were the “naming of parts” (of a gun) was their subject. We can say that there the one speaking at first was the instructor, but upon reading the last 2 or 3 lines of the stanzas, the voice of the speaker changes. Meaning, there are two speakers in this poem because of the change in mood and way of speaking.

                We can simply tell the poem was of two minds, the instructor who names the part, and maybe one of the soldiers reminiscing or daydreaming of a place far away. But connotatively, there are some meaning given in this poem. Reading the poem may give us some other meaning. Connotatively, it can be said that the “parts” named can be human body parts and the actions given by the instructor and by the soldier could be the “activity” of the parts.

                Let’s have the part as an example. The “bolt” may mean a male reproductive body part, and almond blossom is to the female. The “easing of the Spring” may connote sex, same with “breech” and “the bees going backwards and forwards”. This poem can be read literally and can connote meaning to the analysts and to the playful minds as well.

A Formalist Approach on William Blake's "The Sick Rose"

Formalistic Analysis

O rose thou art sick,

The invisible worm,

That flies in the night

In the howling storm

Has found out thy bed

Of crimson joy;

And his dark secret love

Does thy life destroy.

                The central character in the poem is the rose of whom the author is saying was sick. Literally we can picture out a withering flower with which the cause may be the worm (which depicts death or rot/decay). We can say, upon seeing the whole poem, that the rose was destroyed by the innate nature of the worm to feed on the living flower.

                However, using the connotative meaning, of which there can be many, we can see that the central character which is the rose can be seen assumed as a woman, a girl, damsel, and etc. The woman was on a dilemma because she is “sick” and something or someone has caused the sickness. The “invisible” worm can be viewed as an unexpected happening or circumstance or it can be a person. As mentioned, there many meaning to this poem which is focused on the dilemma of the woman being talked about, we can say that she is of her young age as the “crimson joy” expresses gaiety and burning passion of innocence and youth. This can be viewed as the young woman was taken by illness or that her purity was robbed by a wicked man because of his “dark secret love”, thus taking her innocence and ruined her life.  

Biographical and Historical Analysis of “A Child’s Sorrow”

Biography of Zoilo M. Galang

               

                Zoilo Galang was born in Bacolor on 27 June 1895 and his young life was spent in that bucolic town, famed for its writers and artists. He went to school at the Bacolor Elementary School and then went to Manila to study at the Escuela de Derecho, the country’s eminent law school where he graduated in 1919. A self-starter, he learned typing and stenography in English and Spanish all by himself. Attracted to the English language, he took special courses at the University of the Philippines in 1925, and then went to Columbia University for further studies in Literature.

                He was soon writing books of fiction, biography and philosophy, and his output was prodigious. His early poems saw print on the Kapampangan paper, “E Mangabiran". He authored “A Child of Sorrow”, the first English novel written by a Filipino. This was later made into a movie in 1930. Other notable works include "Nadia", "For Dreams Must Die", "Springtime", "Leaders of the Philippines", "Glimpses of the World", "Life and Success", "Master of Destiny", "Unisophy" and "Barrio Life".

                But his greatest opus undoubtedly is the Encyclopedia of the Philippines, which began as a 10 volume set when first printed. Galang himself edited and wrote entries for the book set which covered Philippine literature, biography, commerce and industry, art, education, religion, government, science, history and builders of the new Philippines. The Encyclopedia of the Philippines came with a general information and index.

                A second edition, destroyed by fire, was published in 1948. So positive was the response to Galang’s work that the encyclopedia project was expanded to 20 volumes in a later 1949 printing. There has been no new printing since 1958.

Reference:

·         http://viewsfromthepampang.blogspot.com/2009/08/155-zoilo-galang-kapampangan.html

Summary of the Story

                The story of “A Child’s Sorrow” revolves around the main character, Lucio, and intelligent, poetic, and idealist young man who fell in love with Rosa, a beautiful young maiden Lucio met during his vacation.

                The story began when Camillo invited Lucio to his barrio to spend his vacation there. There Lucio met Rosa Garcia, a woman of pure innocence and beauty. Lucio fell in love with Rosa and she in turn felt the same way. As vacation days near to an end, both were familiar with each other, and parted with high hopes of them returning to each other’s arm again.

                Lucio continued his studies and became known to be an intelligent fellow. Both exchanged letters and postcards, expressing their love for each other. One day, Rosa sent Lucio a letter, inviting him to attend a celebration in her barrio where she would be there also. Lucio was given part of the program to speak, there, Lucio gained disfavored in the eyes of Governor Ismael, and Oscar, Rosa’s conceited suitor. After the celebration, the lovers went and enjoyed the company of each other. And they were engaged.

                Few days passed, Oscar wooed Rosas despite the knowledge that she and Lucio are now engaged. Oscar even went to governor Ismael to confide with him the plots he had planned. The governor agreed with the plans of Oscar then, rumors came that Oscar and Rosa where engaged. The problem begins with both in a dilemma between following their parents and pursuing their love for one another.

                The latter events formed the ending of the story where both were separated and reunited again. The last part tells the story of the Felipa, Rosa’s mother, and Governor Ismael. That part revealed that Governor Ismael is the legitimate father of Rosa. He asked Felipa to convince Rosa to marry Oscar. As the two are having their conversation, Oscar crept into the room of Rosa and raped her that caused for the inevitable marriage of the two.  Lucio’s feeling of sorrow and grief added when his father died. Though receiving consolation from Rosa through a letter, still he felt sorrowful. Months past, Rosa’s unhappiness, grief, and sorrow piled up. Unable to contain her sadness, she tried committing suicide; she became ill and weak to the point of numbering her days. A messenger told Lucio that Rosa needs to see her for one last time. Both lovers meet and saying their last goodbyes, Rosa died smiling in the arms of Lucio. Days after Rosas death, Oscar committed suicide. Lucio lost his mother, lost his mother, and even the love of his life. Truly, he is a child of sorrow.

Historical and Biographical Analysis

                Though the novel is a love story, the events and accounts of the author, Zoilo M. Galang, depicts the time where he lives. The dates and the scenarios mentioned in the poem are much like of those that were on the early 1910’s and 1920’s. These events mentioned tell us the situation and the kind of living the people in the time of Galang.

                As portrayed, the kind of urban living was given by the author, these urban living can be related to his area where he lived in Bacolor, Pampanga, a town where he grew fond of. The traditional way of living of Filipinos were also portrayed, the way of courtship, relationship, and the kind of living of a typical Filipino or Filipina, and also the kind of traditional romance.

                The novel also give us the idea of less Spanish influence, small quotes of Latin phrases were used. Greek Mythological characters were also given; American literature was also present in his novel. This shows also the influence of the American literature and European literature.

                This novel also shows the stereotyping in the realm of religion, social status and in the political part of the Philippine society. Also, the novel show the plots of wicked men who use their power and influence to persecute the common people as in the life of Lucio and Rosa. This also shows the kind of morality the Filipino people have in the early 90’s.

Conclusion

                The novel took me in the time of Galang as he portrayed well the scenes and events in the novel. He also gave us the kind of thinking of the Filipinos in his time, the moral standards they follow and the kind of system they have. The novel of Zoilo M. Galang can take you to the fresh atmosphere of urban living and the sincerity of youth. He also brought the reminiscing memories of the “good old days” were simple living is upheld as success and contentment.