English Literature
The idea that, in John Keats’ words, “The poetry of earth is never dead” is one that has
fueled countless authors in the exploration of nature through literature. This external
universe is often a representation of humans’ inner vehemence, proving to be a paramount
theme to highlight societal predicaments. Such is the case in both the highly contemplative
poems “The Buck in the Snow” by Edna St Vincent Millay and “Blessing” by Imtiaz Dharker,
where the complexity of the environment and its intimate relationship with humanity is
portrayed. Whilst the former ruminates on the fragility of life and its polarity with death due
to the inevitable demise of a buck stuck in a snowstorm, the latter presents nature as a
vitalizing source, depicting the realities of water scarcity in a slum. Both works masterfully
showcase the tragic beauty that accompanies the ecosphere, establishing a criticism,
however subtle, regarding human action and its interference in our planet. On the other
hand, what is conceivably their greatest distinction is the tone adopted by the authors: while
Millay assumes a melancholic position, Dharker utilises a more jovial tone.
To begin with, life and death is an essential dichotomy in Millay’s illustration of nature as
vulnerable through the lens of a meditative speaker. “The Buck in the Snow” marvellously
delineates the unforeseen passing of a powerful and virile antlered buck, prompting both
the speaker and the reader to ponder on the weakness of life in juxtaposition with the
unmatched strength of death. The poet paints a scene of serenity with the first line of her
poem: “White sky”, encapsulating purity and tranquillity in a single phrase due to the
utilisation of “white”. Furthermore, this sense of unity and perfection is aided by the AAAAA
rhyme scheme, which immediately manufactures a sentiment of harmony. However, this is
followed by “hemlocks bowed with snow”, where “hemlock” serves as an foreshadowing for
eventual death, as it is a dangerously poisonous plant. Thus, with just the first line, the
reader is able to perceive the duality of nature and life, and how every utopia inevitably
comes to an end. The fact that this is established in the beginning of the poem mimics the
way humans are extremely aware of our eventual demise early on and yet continue to live in
hope of dodging it, in spite of having the idea of death on the back of our minds constantly,
much like the reader, who hopes for a positive ending for the antlered buck despite the
aforementioned omen. Perhaps this is also an allusion to Socrates, who died in Athens due
The idea that, in John Keats’ words, “The poetry of earth is never dead” is one that has
fueled countless authors in the exploration of nature through literature. This external
universe is often a representation of humans’ inner vehemence, proving to be a paramount
theme to highlight societal predicaments. Such is the case in both the highly contemplative
poems “The Buck in the Snow” by Edna St Vincent Millay and “Blessing” by Imtiaz Dharker,
where the complexity of the environment and its intimate relationship with humanity is
portrayed. Whilst the former ruminates on the fragility of life and its polarity with death due
to the inevitable demise of a buck stuck in a snowstorm, the latter presents nature as a
vitalizing source, depicting the realities of water scarcity in a slum. Both works masterfully
showcase the tragic beauty that accompanies the ecosphere, establishing a criticism,
however subtle, regarding human action and its interference in our planet. On the other
hand, what is conceivably their greatest distinction is the tone adopted by the authors: while
Millay assumes a melancholic position, Dharker utilises a more jovial tone.
To begin with, life and death is an essential dichotomy in Millay’s illustration of nature as
vulnerable through the lens of a meditative speaker. “The Buck in the Snow” marvellously
delineates the unforeseen passing of a powerful and virile antlered buck, prompting both
the speaker and the reader to ponder on the weakness of life in juxtaposition with the
unmatched strength of death. The poet paints a scene of serenity with the first line of her
poem: “White sky”, encapsulating purity and tranquillity in a single phrase due to the
utilisation of “white”. Furthermore, this sense of unity and perfection is aided by the AAAAA
rhyme scheme, which immediately manufactures a sentiment of harmony. However, this is
followed by “hemlocks bowed with snow”, where “hemlock” serves as an foreshadowing for
eventual death, as it is a dangerously poisonous plant. Thus, with just the first line, the
reader is able to perceive the duality of nature and life, and how every utopia inevitably
comes to an end. The fact that this is established in the beginning of the poem mimics the
way humans are extremely aware of our eventual demise early on and yet continue to live in
hope of dodging it, in spite of having the idea of death on the back of our minds constantly,
much like the reader, who hopes for a positive ending for the antlered buck despite the
aforementioned omen. Perhaps this is also an allusion to Socrates, who died in Athens due
