A.J.M. Smith's poem "Like an Old Proud King in a Parable"-CORE VIII CANADIAN STUDIES

 A.J.M. Smith's poem "Like an Old Proud King in a Parable"

A bitter king in anger to  be  gone

From  fawning  courtier  and  doting  queen

Flung  hollow sceptre and  gilt  crown away,

And  breaking bound  of all  his  counties  green

He made a meadow in the  northern  stone

And  breathed  a palace of inviolable  air

To cage a heart  that  carolled like a  swan,

And  slept  alone,  immaculate  and  gay,

With  only his Pride for  a  paramour.

O who is that bitter king?  It  is not  I.

Let me, I  beseech thee,  Father, die

From this  fat  royal  life,  and lie

As naked  as a bridgroom by  his  bride,

And  let that  girl be the  cold  goddess  Pride.

And  I  will  sing to the barren  rock

Your  difficult,  lonely music, heart,

Like  an  old proud king in a  parable

Stanza-by-stanza analysis:

Stanza 1 (lines 1-9): This stanza introduces the central figure of a bitter, angry king who rejects his royal trappings and isolates himself. The imagery contrasts the opulence of royal life with the stark "northern stone" the king chooses. The final line introduces pride as the king's sole companion.

Stanza 2 (line 10): This single-line stanza creates a dramatic pause and introduces a shift in perspective. It raises questions about the identity of the speaker and their relationship to the "bitter king".

Stanza 3 (lines 11-14): Here, the speaker addresses a "Father" figure, possibly God, expressing a desire to abandon a life of luxury. The imagery becomes more personal and vulnerable, with references to nakedness and a "cold goddess Pride".

Stanza 4 (lines 15-17): The final stanza returns to the image of the proud king, now framing it as a metaphor for the speaker's own emotional state. The "barren rock" and "difficult, lonely music" emphasize themes of isolation and struggle.

10 Two-mark Questions and Answers:

1. Q: What does the king fling away in the first stanza?

   A: The king flings away his hollow sceptre and gilt crown.

2. Q: Where does the king make a meadow?

   A: The king makes a meadow in the northern stone.

3. Q: What does the king's heart do in the poem?

   A: The king's heart carolled like a swan.

4. Q: How does the king sleep?

   A: The king sleeps alone, immaculate and gay.

5. Q: What is the king's only paramour?

   A: The king's only paramour is his Pride.

6. Q: Who does the speaker address in the third stanza?

   A: The speaker addresses "Father".

7. Q: What does the speaker wish to die from?

   A: The speaker wishes to die from "this fat royal life".

8. Q: What is the "cold goddess" mentioned in the poem?

   A: The cold goddess mentioned is Pride.

9. Q: What does the speaker say they will sing to?

   A: The speaker will sing to the barren rock.

10. Q: How is the king's music described in the last stanza?

    A: The king's music is described as "difficult, lonely".

5 Five-mark Questions and Answers:

1. Q: Analyze the significance of the title "Like an Old Proud King in a Parable".

   A: The title:

   - Introduces the central metaphor of the poem

   - Suggests the poem has a moral or lesson, like a parable

   - Emphasizes the themes of pride and age

   - Creates expectations of a story-like structure

   - Frames the entire poem as a comparison ("Like")

2. Q: Discuss the use of royal imagery in the poem and its symbolic meaning.

   A: Royal imagery in the poem:

   - Represents wealth and power (sceptre, crown, courtier, queen)

   - Contrasts with the isolation the king chooses

   - Symbolizes worldly attachments the speaker wishes to abandon

   - Highlights the theme of pride as both a royal trait and a personal flaw

   - Creates a backdrop for the speaker's desire for a simpler, more authentic existence

3. Q: Explain the shift in tone and perspective between the first and third stanzas.

   A: The shift:

   - Moves from third-person description to first-person plea

   - Changes from narrative to personal and emotional

   - Introduces a religious or spiritual element with "Father"

   - Transforms the king's isolation into the speaker's desired state

   - Deepens the exploration of pride from external to internal

4. Q: Analyze the paradoxical elements in the poem's portrayal of pride.

   A: Paradoxes in the portrayal of pride:

   - It's both rejected (by the king) and embraced (as a paramour)

   - Described as a "cold goddess" yet intimately connected to the speaker

   - Causes isolation but also seems to offer a form of freedom

   - Portrayed as both regal and a source of difficulty and loneliness

   - Simultaneously something to be cast off and sung about

5. Q: Discuss the significance of nature imagery in the poem.

   A: Nature imagery:

   - Contrasts with the artificial royal setting (meadow vs. court)

   - Represents a more authentic or pure state of being

   - Symbolizes isolation and hardship (northern stone, barren rock)

   - Echoes emotional states (swan-like heart, barren rock for lonely music)

   - Suggests a spiritual or transcendent quality (inviolable air)

In-depth Analysis - Essay Question:

Analyze how A.J.M. Smith uses the extended metaphor of the "old proud king" to explore themes of pride, isolation, and the search for authenticity in "Like an Old Proud King in a Parable". Consider the poem's structure, imagery, and shifts.

Let's begin with an introduction:

A.J.M. Smith's "Like an Old Proud King in a Parable" employs a powerful extended metaphor to delve into complex themes of pride, isolation, and the human quest for authenticity. Through its carefully structured stanzas, vivid royal and natural imagery, and shifting perspectives, the poem offers a nuanced exploration of the internal struggles faced by individuals grappling with societal expectations and personal desires.

Body Paragraphs:

1. The Extended Metaphor:

   - Analyze how the king's actions mirror human experiences

   - Discuss the parable-like quality and its implications

   - Explore how the metaphor evolves throughout the poem

2. Structure and Perspective:

   - Examine the function of each stanza

   - Analyze the shift from third-person to first-person narrative

   - Discuss how these changes reflect the poem's themes

3. Imagery and Symbolism:

   - Contrast the royal imagery with natural elements

   - Analyze the symbolism of the "cold goddess Pride"

   - Discuss how imagery reinforces themes of isolation and authenticity

4. The Paradox of Pride:

   - Explore how pride is portrayed as both destructive and essential

   - Analyze the internal conflict this creates for the speaker

   - Discuss the broader implications of this paradox

5. The Quest for Authenticity:

   - Examine how the poem portrays the search for a more genuine existence

   - Analyze the role of isolation in achieving authenticity

   - Discuss the costs and benefits of this quest as presented in the poem

Conclusion:

Smith's "Like an Old Proud King in a Parable" masterfully uses its central metaphor to probe the complexities of human nature. Through its exploration of pride, isolation, and the search for authenticity, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own struggles with societal expectations and personal truth. The tension between the desire for connection and the need for self-realization is powerfully rendered, leaving us with a profound meditation on the human condition.