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Isolation In Funeral Blues And Mid-Term Break

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Explore how the poets present the theme of isolation in Funeral Blues and Mid-Term Break. Isolation is the state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others. The theme of isolation, escapism, disconnection and connotation of death are extensively explored in the poem Mid-Term Break by Seamus Heaney and Funeral Blues by WH Auden. Mid-Term Break is written in a narrative style as Heaney writes about the death of his younger brother and captures the emotions of the event including the helplessness and sorrow experienced when he was fourteen. He uses a slow and steady stroke to naturally lure the reader into the river to memories, grief and pain. Funeral Blues describes the death of Auden's lover as he conveys the pain of loss and the sense of disorientation and placelessness. This poem incorporates a series of figurative language, metaphorical features and powerful imagery to describe the writer's feeling about losing his loved one. Both poets express the emotional …show more content…

Similar to Funeral Blues, the poem also begins with a distant and impersonal voice to create a mournful and solemn atmosphere. In stanza three, “cooed and laughed and rocked” this sentence presents the mood change. Seamus Heaney uses emphatic rhythm as well as joyful verbs to show a dramatic contrast. It emphasizes the tragedy and makes the tension in the scene more intense. The impact of unexpected death and shocked sense of sadness is lifted for a moment. The unusual aspect and reaction of the situation is developed which further adds a variety of emotion. It gives the poem a definite and discrete sound. In addition, the young baby is alive and vigorous, which also reminds us that life goes on. The innocent joy of a baby, unawareness of the events that are taking place exaggerates the pain of loss in the reality which reinforces the sense of

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Isolation: the process or fact of being isolated or isolating. Separation: the act or state of moving or being moved. Isolation and Separation are correlated in the sense that the words have very similar definitions. Both, isolation and separation, are terrible things that happen to the best people. Isolation is depicted throughout the excerpt of The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the passage Love Song, with two Goldfish, by Grace Chua.

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