Hope is the thing-comment and videos

 

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.

È la “speranza” una creatura alata
che si annida nell’anima –
e canta melodie senza parole –
senza smettere mai –

E la senti dolcissima nel vento –
e ben aspra dev’esser la tempesta
che valga a spaventare il tenue uccello
che tanti riscaldò –

Nella landa più gelida l’ho udita –
sui più remoti mari –
ma nemmeno all’estremo del bisogno
ha voluto una briciola – da me.

• •       Hope as a Bird: 
  • The poem uses a bird as an extended metaphor for hope. The bird "perches in the soul" and "sings the tune without the words," implying that hope is an internal, persistent feeling that doesn't require external expression.  
  • Resilience:
  • The poem highlights hope's ability to endure, even in the "gale" or "storm" of life's challenges. The bird's song "never stops" and is even "sweetest in the gale," suggesting that hope can be found even in the darkest moments. 
  • • Unconditional Gift:

      The bird, representing hope, "never asks a crumb" of the speaker. This emphasizes that hope is a gift that comes without strings attached and is always available to the soul. 

    Inner Strength:

    The poem suggests that hope is a source of strength and resilience, helping individuals navigate difficult times and find solace in the face of adversity
  • • Enduring Presence:

      The poem reinforces the idea that hope is a constant companion, always present in the human soul, offering comfort and encouragement. 

Poem Summaries

Emily Dickinson – “Hope is the thing with feathers”
Dickinson portrays hope as a resilient bird that perches in the soul, singing a tune without words, and never asking for anything in return. Despite life's storms, hope endures, offering comfort and solace.

Giovanni Pascoli – “X Agosto”
In this elegy, Pascoli reflects on the night of August 10, 1867, when his father was murdered. He compares the tragic event to the death of a swallow returning to its nest, symbolizing innocence and the abruptness of loss. The poem conveys a deep sense of grief and the search for meaning in the face of senseless violence.

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Thematic Comparison

Theme	Dickinson's Poem	Pascoli's Poem
Hope and Resilience	Hope is portrayed as enduring and comforting.	Hope is overshadowed by grief and loss.
Nature as Metaphor	Nature symbolizes the constancy of hope.	Nature reflects the abruptness and injustice of death.
Emotional Tone	Uplifting and reassuring.	Mourning and contemplative.
Symbolism	The bird represents hope's persistence.	The swallow and the murdered man symbolize innocence and tragedy.

Poetic Style and Language

• Dickinson: Uses concise stanzas, slant rhymes, and dashes to create a contemplative and intimate tone. Her language is simple yet profound, focusing on the inner experience of hope.

• Pascoli: Employs vivid imagery and personification, especially in depicting the swallow and the murdered man. The poem's structure and rhythm evoke a sense of elegiac mourning, with a focus on external events and their emotional impact.

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Philosophical Outlook

• Dickinson: Offers a vision of hope as an eternal, self-sustaining force that provides comfort without expectation.

• Pascoli: Presents a view where hope is fragile and often overshadowed by the harsh realities of life, emphasizing the inevitability of loss and the search for meaning in suffering.

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Conclusion

While both poems delve into profound emotional landscapes, Dickinson's work highlights the enduring nature of hope amidst adversity, whereas Pascoli's poem confronts the suddenness of loss and the challenge of finding hope in its wake. Their contrasting approaches offer rich perspectives on the human experience of hope and grief.