Reading Notes W6: The Coming Night, PART A

Citation: “The Coming Night” -William Nauns Ricks (Link)

*I’d firstly like to note that poems are the hardest things for me to analyze. And I probably won’t get 300 words out of a four-stanza poem anyways, but here’s my attempt, as I have no alternative reading to choose instead.*

The poem is composed of four stanzas, or verses. The rhyme scheme of which is A, B, A, B, C, D, C, D. This scheme remains consistent throughout the four stanzas. Each stanza is composed of two full sentences composing of four lines each. The rhythm is also consistent between the matching meters (same syllable count in paired lines)

The author uses the rhyme scheme and rhythm to have a tranquil flow and to enhance the imagery used while also making the poem melodic and full of harmony. The literal harmony pairs with the harmony visualized by the narrator as he gazes upon nature. The repetitive sound used is also an example of consonance as the words end in similar sounds, but the entire work is full of off words that depict euphony. The narrator also uses a lot of colour imagery to create visual interest as well as to create a colorful setting which also enhances the overall mood of the scene.

Personification is used to describe multiple aspects: trees, the World, sun.

Summary: the narrator is using first-person point of view to describe the daytime transition to night on the coast of Berkeley. I think it is done in this point of view to force the reader to experience it in his shoes. It heightens the impact and experience of the reader, making it feel like we are there.

Stanza #1-2: Describes the daytime activities of animals and the beauty of the sun-lit day

Stanza #3: Describes the sunset over the horizon and how the animals prepare for day’s-end

Stanza #4: Describes the last moments of sunlight as he walks back down the hill

The author is trying to capture the beauty and peacefulness he feels of the Berkley Hills and the surrounding nature. The narrator goes out of his way to climb a hill just to watch day shift to night and returns down the hill after dark.

Theme(s): Beauty of nature, realizing how small we really are in this world and accepting its beauty