How is the imagery of 'young trees and merry children’ a contrast to ...
The imagery of 'young trees and merry children' is a contrast to the mother in the following ways:
Mother's Health: Hopelessness
- The mother's health is described as "hopeless" in the poem, which suggests that she is unwell and possibly nearing the end of her life.
Trees and Merry Children: Youthfulness and Hope
- In contrast, the young trees and merry children represent youthfulness and hope. The trees are still growing and developing, while the children are carefree and happy.
Age: Mother is Old in Comparison to the Trees and Children
- The mother is also contrasted with the young trees and merry children in terms of age. While the trees and children are young, the mother is described as "old" and worn out.
Imagery: Like Spring and Autumn Season
- The imagery of young trees and merry children also represents the spring season, which is associated with new beginnings and growth. In contrast, the mother's hopeless state is like the autumn season, which is associated with decay and decline.
Overall, the contrast between the mother and the imagery of young trees and merry children highlights the themes of youthfulness, hope, and mortality in the poem.
How is the imagery of 'young trees and merry children’ a contrast to ...
The poet has brought in the image of the merry children 'spilling out of their homes' because this image helps to bring out the contrast between childhood and old age. While childhood is a period of care free merrymaking, old age is a period of death like sadness.