The Bastard Peace

The Bastard Peace Thesis: WILLIAMs illustrates the image of poverty while incorporating aspects of springtime in order to comprehend the actual meaning of peace.

Overall Interpretation Servants are trapped and living in poverty “-where a heavy woven-wire fence topped with jagged ends, encloses a long cinder-field by the river-” (1st Stanza) People still have the sense of hope “A dandelion in bloom-and a white butterfly-” (Lines 11-12) However, people lack confidence for change. “The sun parches still the parched grass.” (Lines 13-14) Continue living their “peaceful” life. “There to rest, to improvise and unbend!” (Line 23-24) False peace (title)

Sense: Meaning and Language Speaker: A poor individual Point of view: 1st Person Internal monologue: Expressive Thoughts Mood: Hopeless “Cinder Field” (4) “Parched Grass” (14) Diction: “Bastard Peace” : A false peace (title) “Disposal Tank”, “Sewer Intakes” : Loss of freedom. “Dandelion”, “White Butterfly”, “Service Path” : Sense of hope Repetition: “Water” repeated 2x: Freedom “Fence” repeated 3x: Blocked Freedom Sense: Meaning and Language Purpose/Effect: Williams wants to show the understanding of poverty and using 1st person is the effective way. By involving the images of springtime, it portrays the concealed sense of hope which tells the reader that poverty is not peaceful. Williams repeats important words to communicate the extent of poverty.

Senses: Imagery and Symbols Imagery of Poverty Parched Grass/Cinder Field Cracked Houses Home-made push cart Small wooden pit-covers Two chickens Springtime Imagery Dandelion in bloom (line 11) A white butterfly (line 11-12) Shining water/river Sun Symbolism: color “a white butterfly” (line 11) Senses: Imagery and Symbols Purpose/Effect: Williams uses the imagery of poverty and springtime to help contrast the ideas between good peace and bad peace visually. The color ‘white’ is used as a symbol to indicate that the people surrender and are hoping for better peace.

Style: Poetry Techniques Hyperbole The sun parches still the parched grass. (Line 13-14) Paradox Title contradicts poem Stream of Consciousness Thoughts show that society is not peaceful Repetition: ‘fence’ 3x The essence of springtime Style: Poetry Techniques Purpose/Effect: Williams enhances the bad image of poverty. Williams’s use of stream of consciousness helps communicate the true thoughts of poverty.

Structure: form, organization, and pattern Poverty is continuous End Stopped with hyphens Represents a cycle in the poem Syntax Long sentences No period at third sentence at the end of the poem Stanza: 4 lines each No change in society Exclamation Points Symbolizes hidden positivity. “Gid ap!” (Line 21) “There to rest, to improvise and unbend!” (Lines 23-24) Structure: form, organization, and pattern Purpose/Effect: The structure of the sentences indicates the duration of poverty by showing that poverty is never-ending. Williams incorporates the exclamation points to contrast the emotion between poverty and peace.

Sound: Musicality and Auditory Techniques End-Rhyme “by” and “butterfly” (Lines 10 and 12) Free Verse Throughout the poem with the exception of line 10 and 12 Sound: Musicality and Auditory Techniques Purpose/Effect: Williams uses end rhyme at one point to emphasize the concealed sense of hope to show depression. Williams uses free verse to consider poverty as ‘peaceful;’ however, it is seen as depressed through the reader’s view.

Connection to Other Poetry by Williams Poems with similar ideas: “The Poor” The use of visual imagery to enhance understanding Same idea of poverty Historical context: The Great Depression (1929-1943)

Draw an image of what you think true peace means to you. Part 1: Activity Draw an image of what you think true peace means to you.

Illustration

Part 2: Discussion If the poet were to add a period at the end of the poem, would this bring any effect on the idea of poverty and explain why? The poet has incorporated images of springtime in the poem. Would the main idea of the poem change if the theme ‘spring’ were omitted? How effective would this change be on the main idea of the poem?

Conclusion Based on the use of imagery and structure of the poem, It can be determined that poverty is not peaceful but is consider imaginary peace until a miracle occurs.