Introduction
Differences in the perception of life values, manifested in the context of a generation gap, are a common problem raised in literary works. In Hayden’s poem “Those Winter Days,” the poet demonstrates such an assessment by presenting himself as the narrator. In this short poem, he faithfully captures the atmosphere of his childhood, using such artistic means as epithets and personification. However, the theme of parents’ love for children is a more important theme, revealed through appropriate reflections. The analysis of Hayden’s poem shows that, despite the difficulties and worries, a person who loves one’s child is ready to overcome any inconvenience, demonstrating sincere parental love and care.
Literary Devices Used by the Poet
The atmosphere of the poet’s childhood is revealed through the use of appropriate literary devices that enhance the perception of the described images. For instance, “cracked hands,” “splintering cold,” and “blueblack cold” are examples of how Hayden describes his Sunday winter days. By using such descriptive tools, he places a special emphasis on the setting and conveys to the reader his state, felt as a child but preserved for life. Moreover, such vivid images reinforce the understanding of how detailed these descriptions are from the perspective of an adult. According to Marciano and Watson, the poem is the poet’s written gratitude to his father, a man who worked hard and took care of his child (338). The epithets involved are the instruments that emphasize Hayden’s surviving memories and are utilized as the details to better understand the atmosphere of the poet’s childhood. As a result, epithets create a clear perception of the context and immerse the reader in conditions they can experience for themselves.
Another technique used in the poem under consideration is personification. Hayden describes the home as alive with “chronic anger,” and he does this to put the cold and harsh nature against his father’s love. The context of the verse deserves a special role; as Spaide argues, Hayden refers to his foster father, who, without expecting any gratitude, does everything to ensure comfort and warmth in the house (240). The use of personification, in this case, enhances the effect. Knowing about the absence of kinship between the poet and his father, the reader is more imbued with the words about the severity of the house and the parent’s efforts. There is a generation gap in this case, but by referring to his own life and mentioning “lonely offices,” Hayden understands the value of his experience. Thus, literary devices are essential tools that reveal the depth of the poet’s thoughts from an emotional perspective.
Poem’s Structure and Rhythm
Through the use of stanzas that are not connected by rhyme, Hayden achieves the effect of a stronger impact inherent in the meaning of the poem. Marciano and Watson mention “austere love,” and this notion is consistent with the style of presentation chosen by the poet (343). The idea of reflecting a father who is stingy with emotions, demonstrating, nevertheless, sincere love and care, fits well into the style of presentation. The rhythm of the poem is staccato and unromantic, which is enhanced by the alliteration: “cold,” “cracked,” “ached,” “thanked” (Hayden). This technique allows Hayden to convey the described atmosphere of a harsh winter and create appropriate images for the reader, complemented by details. This style of versification is a good way to focus on the meaning but not the beauty of the syllable and convey the key message of unconditional fatherly love and care.
Emotional References
Despite the severity of rhythm and structure, emotional references in the poem are a powerful tool for influencing the reader. An undisguised sadness can be traced in the words of Hayden, who recalls “speaking indifferently” to his father. The poet repeats the same question twice at the end, which indicates his real anxiety. He does not mention that he wants to go back to his childhood, but he does show how comparatively carefree it was compared to his father’s life. The issue of a generational gap cannot be considered the key problem in the poem. Despite the differences emphasized between the two people, the key idea concerns parental care and the child’s misunderstanding of the efforts the adult is making. When assessing this idea from the standpoint of modern society, one can note it is unlikely that much has changed. In their desire to save children from hardships and difficulties, parents often sacrifice their own time and comfort. Therefore, from an emotional perspective, the poem remains relevant today.
Conclusion
Robert Hayden’s “Those Winter Days” is a poem that embodies unconditional fatherly love and care that no inconvenience can break. Such literary devices as epithets, personification, and alliteration allow for increasing the impact on the reader and creating a suitable atmosphere. The rhythm and structure also correspond to the idea of the poem and make it strict and even harsh. From an emotional perspective, the issue raised remains relevant and takes place in modern society.
Works Cited
Hayden, Robert. “Those Winter Sundays.” Poetry Foundation, Web.
Marciano, Joanne E., and Vaughn W. M. Watson. ““This is America”: Examining Artifactual Literacies as Austere Love Across Contexts of Schools and Everyday Use.” The Urban Review, vol. 53, no. 2, 2021, pp. 334-353.
Spaide, Christopher. “Multiple Choice: Terrance Hayes’s Response-Poems and the African American Lyric ‘We’.” The Cambridge Quarterly, vol. 48, no. 3, 2019, pp. 231-257.