Poem AnalysisThis family has a dysfunctional relationship. They have poor communication and hardly little to no bond. The title now makes sense to me but now I am questioning what family really is. They are family simply because they are related through blood. That makes me sad because family is what I rely on for comfort, love, and help. Even though the house is occupied, it still feels empty. She shares,"We all are alone, though at home altogether". The 'family" only comes together when the weather is frigid and they're seeking warmth from the fire place. I don't understand why the members of the family are so distant and uncomfortable with each other. This poem reminds me that we don't get to choose out families. It's apparent that the authorities in the house, such as the parents, do not care if their family is close-knit or not. They never instilled in their children how important it is to be close, kind, and caring towards their siblings. Each person has an issue of their own. Hands states,"Like social companions we never fall out, Nor ever care what one another’s about;To comfort each other is never our plan, For to please ourselves, truly, is more than we can". They don't seek to comfort each other because they cant even comfort themselves. This is going to become a circuitous cycle as each member of the household are hedonist, only caring for themselves.
|
Literary Devices Analysis In this short but thoughtful poem I've came across three literary devices hidden within it. The first was oxymoron. When the poets says,"We are all alone, though at home altogether" she contradicts herself but is just conveying how close the family's relationship is. They are all in the house together, but somehow it is still empty. The irony in this poem is well disguised. I found that it was ironic that the fireplace is the only thing that could bring the family together, when fire is usually the symbol for chaos and war. The fire is causing unity and peace to the deteriorated relationship within the family. Circumlocution is found in the very last line. Besides simply stating "We can't please ourselves" he made the line more complex changing the order of the words and adding more detail.
|
On An Unsociable Family
On An Unsociable Family
BY ELIZABETH HANDS
O what a strange parcel of creatures are we,
Scarce ever to quarrel, or even agree;
We all are alone, though at home altogether,
Except to the fire constrained by the weather;
Then one says, ‘’Tis cold’, which we all of us know,
And with unanimity answer, ‘’Tis so’:
With shrugs and with shivers all look at the fire,
And shuffle ourselves and our chairs a bit nigher;
Then quickly, preceded by silence profound,
A yawn epidemical catches around:
Like social companions we never fall out,
Nor ever care what one another’s about;
To comfort each other is never our plan,
For to please ourselves, truly, is more than we can.