POETIC APPRECIATION UNIT 2.8 SMALL TOWNS AND RIVERS

         POETIC APPRECIATION

 UNIT 2.8 SMALL TOWNS AND RIVERS

About the Poem/poet/Title:  The Poem, ‘Small Towns and Rivers” written by Mamang Dai. The title of the poem describes a terrain in Nature, where River is of Prime importance. The poetess conveys the vibrant and eternal phenomenon of Nature. The poetess shows a contrast between Nature, where the souls of dead dwell, and the towns are built at the cost of Nature.

Theme/central idea of the Poem: The poetess begins the poem with small towns situated amidst trees, which reminds her of death. She treats life and death as transient, but the Nature and rituals are Permanent. This Irony is used by the poetess effectively. The River has a predominant presence in her poem.

 Language/Style: The poem consists of seven Stanzas of unequal length. The poem is written in Free verse. The poem does not have a Rhyme Scheme. The poetess has used her agony in an effective manner.

The lines are short and verses are lucid. The expressions like ,' The River has a soul,' ' it holds its breath' and 'the River knows' enriches the beauty of this poem.

Special Features:   The traditional belief that the souls of the dead dwell in Nature and rise with the sun, the cool bamboo that springs back with the sunlight, and the significance of the same in the life are the most beautiful thoughts expressed by the poet.

Message/ Moral/Significance: The main message of the poem is the mixed feelings of the poet about Nature and the small towns which lie by the River. The poet expresses her agony about the destruction of the Nature which is going on at the cost of "Progress"

Your opinion about the Poem : I like the simplicity of the poem. we all feel the sorrow of the poet as we read about how nature's beauty is destroyed for man's greed called,' Development" or "Progress"

Activities prepared and compiled by

TUSHAR J BAGWE

K J SOMAIYA COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND COMMERCE VIDYAVIHAR EAST MUMBAI 77

E Mail IDs:

tushar@somaiya.edu

tushar8bagwe@gmail.com

jaisinghtushar 812@gmail.com

110970.bagwe@mahaeschool.co.in

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