Michael Mann Essays - Fiction, Style, Tone, Starfish, Literature

Michael Mann Mr. Moran 2/22/2017 Beauties within life In the poem Starfish the author uses tone, imagery, symbol and theme to establish the wonderful mystery of life. The close analysis of life's fortune proves that life is a sequence of adventures that can be related to how starfish drift throughout the ocean content and dreamlike. The author puts the reader at ease by showing how everyday life can be so beautiful. The poem express the multiple enjoyments of life; especially the ones that go unseen. The speaker is very direct and straightforward but comes then comes across confused on the wonders of life and what that the meaning of life is to him. The speaker explains what life does but still can't figure out the "why" or "how". In stanza one the speaker questions if daily life has a hidden message for something greater but is still unsure. The speaker Has a clear and strong grasp on the present and future of life but seems to have a unclear grasp on the meaning of life. The the speaker has a tone that's direct and informative but at the same time questions his findings. "Life lets you take the dog for a walk down to the pond, where whole generations of biological processes are boiling beneath the mud...Are you old enough to appreciate the moment? Too old?" The tone is very direct and the speaker tells you what is happening but is this questioning that ends after stanza 2. In Stanza 3 and 4 the tone becomes direct throughout the rest of the poem but also the speaker seems to be distressed. Later on in stanza 5 the speaker becomes at ease with his worries and relates the multiple beauties of life to a starfish. " the starfish drift through the channel, with smiles on their starry faces as they head out to deep water, to the far and boundless sea." The speaker paints a visual image in the mind of the reader by telling the reader exactly what is happening. This technique actually makes it seem as though the actions taking place is something you have done. "Upon reflection, you are genuinely surprised to find how quiet you have become. And then life lets you go to think about all this. Which you do, for quite a long time." While reading this I felt everything the speaker was saying has actually happened and related to actual experiences in my life. Lastly the speaker touches on some valuable symbols. A recurring theme I found was patience. The speaker relates patience to life because all of his questions were answered with patience. The speaker realizes the the beauty of life is within the present and that just the way it is. Similar to a starfish, it can be broken down and regrow or it just travels through the ocean slowly and patient.