Poetry Coursework
Poetry Coursework
Poetry Coursework
Eves fault by Jee Leong Koh and Adams song by Derek Walcott respectively? Shikhar
Singh 11K
In both poems we are distinctively illustrated the progression of Adam and Eves mishap, and
the compelling intricacy of their many lovers. In Eves fault the themes of friendship, love and
jealousy are evident, offering a contemporary, deviated version of their story, where the blame
is not shifted entirely on Eve. The poet abstains to represent Adam and Eve as elevated
beings and presents them as character the reader can resonate with. Through the inclusion of
humor and irony Eves sin demonstrated to be an understandable choice. In Adams song the
themes of betrayal, regret and humanity is substantially embedded within the characters,
expressed through their acute sorrow for their misdeed. Adams song, symbolizes his love
and bravery for Eve, despite Eve committing a sin. The poet cohesively develops the bond
between Adam, Eve and God, throughout the poem and how their misdemeanor disrupted
their paradise. Both poets set forth varied interpretations of the story, while keeping the crux
of their poem the same.
Walcott powerfully renders Eve experience to be tormenting and grievous, through sombre
imagery, as she succumbs to temptation and commits the transgression. Implying Eve to be
an adulteress stoned to death; renders a repugnant and revolting prospect that expresses
an atrocious depiction among the readers. Representing Eve as an adulteress, evokes a
sexual connotation among the readers, reminding them of her treachery that stained that the
course of humanity, in a draconian and grim manner. The portrayal of Eve being stoned to
death, is a reference from history recounting how women were treated for committing
adultery, highlighting the harrowing and appalling penalty Eve transpired. The reader is further
made to feel intimidated, through her death, insinuating the severity of her punishment. Her
sin films her flesh with slime, illustrates how it is eternal and indicates how her misdeed has
entrapped her, tantamount to the Bible. The fricative of films and flesh, sets forth a heinous
and diabolical imperishable presence that now expresses Eve. With the sickening imagery of
slime, the reader is made to conjure how her betrayal has clawed onto her, again denoting
the irreversible blasphemy. The first was Eve that horned God for the serpent, conveys
Eves devilish act by rejecting Gods command. The word horned, arouses the reader to a
villainous character, illustrated to actually having horns and committing a brutal attack.
Walcott is able to bring irony here exemplifying how Eve tried to do something righteous, but
ended up getting the blame. Walcott presents Eves experience powerfully through a vivid
depiction of her sempiternal sin that impaired the innocence of humanity that left her a
desolate and forlorn figure.
Walcott powerfully expresses Adams endearment for Eve, illustrating his experience to be
despairing, as he succumbs to the sentiments of God. The phrase panthers in the peaceable
kingdom creates the atmosphere of unrest, which Adam is confronted by. This is rather ironic
as a kingdom should be peaceful, uninterrupted by danger. The fact that it is put into
jeopardy, suggest how Adam is vulnerable from death, which is crawling upon him. Plosives
of the words panthers and peaceable shift the tone to a hostile, aggressive one, reflecting
that of a panther, again conveying how Adam is at risk. The word panthers, gives a powerful
imagery of demise, through their black colour, hinting Adams death is lurking near him and
can consume him without warning. Mentioning the anaphora of his death coming out of the
trees induces the sense of mortality Adam is confronted with. The underlying message of this
phrase can be interpreted through the word trees, it is the place where it all started, and now
is the place where it all ends, hence his death. The word trees also suggests obscurity and
mystery, as it is a place where things are hidden or concealed. He sings it, frightened of the
jealousy of God and the price of his own death, conveys how Adam is entangled in his
relationship with God and Eve; as his death approaches he isnt able to understand, whom he
desires more, his love for Eve, or his creator. The fact that he sings it, frightened, suggests
his hesitancy and how he is breaking down. As he still sings the song, denotes his continued
love for Eve, nevertheless his state of being frightened, implies his desire for God not to
hear his song and feel more melancholic. The jealousy of God, exemplifies that God is
envious of how Adam chose death and Eve over him, this reiterates Adams love for Eve.
At the price of his own death, emphasizes Adams sacrificial nature, he is willing to sacrifice
his life for Eve committing the mishap, and death is the way he wishes to repay God. Walcott