ipl-logo

Critical Lens Analysis Of 'The Ill-Mannered Guest'

1015 Words5 Pages

Ayesha Palma Mrs. Tarascio ENG4U March 23, 2024 Critical Lens Analysis of “The Ill-Mannered Guest” The poem Ill-Mannered Guest delves into the intricacies of human relationships and how these interconnections could feasibly lead to encounters of disruptive presence to an individual or conceivably to a society. Through the analysis of the Psychoanalytic lens, one can reveal how these concealed desires and motives shape the poem’s fundamental concept: A cycle of dread and helplessness to a persona caused by a single destructive character, the id, can be influenced by the ego’s reality principle which can ultimately conduct sentiments of toxic dynamics. With reference to the concept of the id, it is portrayed in the poem as the unfamiliar guest …show more content…

The quotation uses the literary device of personification to give human characteristics to a nonhuman or an abstract object. The phrase “work his way” implies an intentional action that is commonly linked to human beings. This creates the illusion that a non-human entity is acting with determination and liberty. Along with that, this is where the idea of a persona becomes relevant. In regards to the persona in the poem, a mask that reveals a person’s desired perception and view in society, it is someone who is believed to be an individual of good nature derived from the quote, “so I seat him in the living room and make him tea and toast.” This signifies an idea of an individual’s hospitality and friendliness in the midst of catastrophic events. Overall, the quote emphasizes the persona's vulnerability to outside threats in contrast to the efforts made to maintain composure. The line uses the literary device of juxtaposition. When the visitor is portrayed as disruptive, the polite act of offering tea and toast to them in the poem becomes ironic, emphasizing the contrast between the speaker’s attempt at politeness and the visitor’s absence of manners. Proceeding to the idea of ego, the ego regulates the superego and id, and acts in accordance to the reality principle to keep balance. Concerning …show more content…

The quote “But he just stands there knowing exactly where it’s going, smiling as he weighs up what vile mischief is in range” further proves this proposition as it attributes human-like qualities to the following concept, in particular, the wrecking side of the persona’s mentality where it sends a message of how a troublemaker is present and stays to take mischievous actions. Lastly, the use of imagery from the poem in the quote “smears it on things he knows will upset me the most” enhances the reader’s comprehension of the destructive aspect’s by providing a vivid picture of its intentional and mischievous behavior by the guest. In conclusion, the poem “The Ill-Mannered Guest” explores the intricate dynamics of human relationships with the involvement of the elements id, persona, and ego. The poem goes beyond the notion that, despite the ego's rationalization of these thoughts, a cycle of fear and powerlessness felt by the persona and generated by the id can have negative psychological effects on a

Show More
Related
1053 Words | 5 Pages

I have interpreted these lines in one way, yet there are a million different possibilities. The author puts the words onto the paper, but the reader’s job is to interpret their own emotion, memory or belief and actually apply it to the poet’s words in order to create an

Read More
965 Words | 4 Pages

This shows that the author built his persona as one who means well, yet society misunderstood him. Additionally, the author’s use of imagery serves to show his persona

Read More
485 Words | 2 Pages

In the context of “The Intruder,” the titular “intruder” is not only the mysterious figure who attempts to enter the house at the end of the story. The title of Andre Dubus’ “The Intruder” refers to Kenneth’s repeated and sometimes unwanted thoughts and fantasies that unfold throughout the short story. Throughout the story, the main character–Kenneth, an insecure 13-year old

Read More
560 Words | 3 Pages

The Interlopers and The Story of An Hour are two great short-stories that have issues between characters, twisted endings, and irony. Both stories have relatively short timeframes in which the events happen. The passages show a foreshadowed future for each main character, even though the characters have hope. Within each story, we can see how one's life decisions can affect how we live and how it affects others. In this case, it leads to a whole new world of problems, which leads to the main character's deaths.

Read More
545 Words | 3 Pages

In the poem, the statement saying that the man “has no destination” is an overexaggeration as he is not immobile, but instead means that he goes through life freely without a clear and fixed end goal. This relates to the theme of the piece as it shows the man’s difficulty balancing the good and bad in his life. He is essentially welcoming the good in his life but is not aware the he may be heading down a darker path. Another hyperbole used is where the man is said to be “lost with vague unease”. This statement is meant to show the character’s hazy or unclear motives, similarly used as the common phrase “you have your head stuck in the clouds”.

Read More
1322 Words | 6 Pages

Moreover, as a personality receives acceptance by society, a sense of liberation and belonging follows since society dictates one’s emotions. Through the use of several elements, the short story illustrates that assertive confrontation is crucial when facing social adversities in order to maintain one’s culture and heritage. To begin, the point of view of a situation influences the deeper connection one has with the scenario. Society has the misconception that youth must be seen and not heard which causes a delay in the formation of one’s identity. In the story, the son provides a helpless frame of reference as he is unable to aid his mother in convincing the guards to let them cross.

Read More
936 Words | 4 Pages

The poet wants create a world where everyone is appreciated for who they are. The poet has written the third stanza in a first person collective form to include all humanity in his fight for a better world. He uses this as a way to unite everyone. When the poet writes “right civil wrong’ he means the violence in the name of religion and law.

Read More
642 Words | 3 Pages

The narrator within the poem perceives himself as superior to the subjects that he observes, and recognizes that they behave as savages due to the absence of rules and boundaries. They fail to acknowledge the error in their destructive behavior and continue to act with free will, which portrays human nature as wicked and unruly. One of them glanced at the narrator and insinuated that they were equals, which implies that the narrator also indulges in sinful behavior with the rest of them. Despite the narrator’s feeling of superiority, their actions reflect the same manner as those they view as beneath them. There exists a domino effect that causes the behavior of others to influence the nature of those surrounding them.

Read More
532 Words | 3 Pages

Through the use of diction and irony the author successfully reveals the artist’s attitude towards nature and his task. Hughes use of diction helps emphasize the artists contrasting thoughts on nature. The author chose words with opposing connotations in order to show “the two minds of this lady”. The author chose words with negative connotations to represent the violent and scary side

Read More
965 Words | 4 Pages

The author mentioned popular media people (like Rita Moreno) and literary characters (“Mammy” from Gone with the Wind) to show the source and the deepness of stereotypes. She includes dialogues and description of own ruefulness during the current event to create more emotion-oriented essay. Several main issues and single words are highlighted with the aid of italics, like the word ripen (Cofer 4) that showed boy’s expectances to Cofer’s sexual behavior. Was it author’s choice or not, the decision helps readers to see an important topic.

Read More
779 Words | 4 Pages

Costumers today are only a click away to purchasing an item, most of the time you get the best deals on the internet. Companies have all kinds of discounts and promo codes that are not offered in the actual store. When it comes to buying a car how can I help myself find the best deal using the internet. I personally have never bought or owned a car before I could use the internet in so many levels mainly to inform myself on the pros and cons of purchasing a car, whether this one is brand new or used. Analyzing my situation if I go to a car dealership without knowing anything someone could easily take advantage of me because I do not have any experience in this type of market.

Read More
1125 Words | 5 Pages

The relationship between the mother and child is shown through the authors use of connotative language in words such as “wines” “monster” and “hatred” which mirrors the persona’s frustration and shows that their relationship is often one of hatred and resentment. Through the metaphor of “the devils burning in my brain” as well as the “monster grins”, Harwood conveys a metaphorical suggestion of her internal frustration. ‘Burning Sappho’ was written under the female

Read More
830 Words | 4 Pages

Although his writing can be engaged to an audience who reads the situation the boy is encountering with his neighbors ,but to analyze themselves instead of another person. Therefore the intended purpose of this writing is to not analyze or criticize how a person live, but to analyze themselves , as they could be living their life differently such as being greedy. ”You should look at yourself. I mean really look at yourself ” .Therefore the author notifies the audience of the situation he was in throughout his life,through the use of emotional appeal using personal experiences in his life and humor

Read More
873 Words | 4 Pages

Through the poem’s tone, metaphors used, and symbols expressed the poem portrays that fear can make life seem charred or obsolete, but in reality life propels through all seasons and obstacles it faces. The poem begins with a tone of conversation, but as it progresses the tone changes to a form of fear and secretiveness. The beginning and ending line “we tell

Read More
885 Words | 4 Pages

The ego considers and makes a compromise between both the carnal desires of the ID and the social norms and morals contained by the ego using reasoning and logic. The ego can often be conflicted due to poor decision making or prolonged suppression of either the ID or superego, forcing the ego to employ a Defence mechanism. The protagonist’s conflicted ego can be seen to employ several defence mechanisms in the play, in order to protect her from a mental breakdown. A mixture of repression and denial can clearly be seen in the second act, where Nora pushes the threatening thought of Torvald finding out about the forgery away, when however this thought again arises she denies to herself that Torvald will ever open the letter. Displacement is seen on p… where Nora want to rip her Italian clothing ‘to a million pieces’ this shows how Nora wants to express her anger on the fabric, which she had bought on the trip that was the cause of this conflict.

Read More

More about Critical Lens Analysis Of 'The Ill-Mannered Guest'

Open Document