In different civilizations, societies and lives, vocabulary and selected words can easily have many distinct meanings and connotations. Gwen Harwood uses this element of dialect to condition meaning in her poetry, including “Home Of Mercy” and “The Lion’s Bride”. In “Home Of Mercy” (HOM), the usage of language conjures religious atmospheres which battle against the utilization of antonymic dialect which makes uncomfortable symbolism. Juxtaposed against each other, Harwood allows us to help to make a meaning of the poem, in which the text aims to criticize the faith based views and ideologies about unwed pregnant mothers and invites all of us to reconsider the way all of us view unwed mothers too. She says through this textual content that in that period of time, a big change was required in the way societies look at unwed mothers and to consider the dynamic among genders in such conditions. In “The Lion’s Bride” (TLB), the application of language synonymous with the information of various meats and family pets allows us to produce meaning of TLB, when the poem should expose matrimony as a act for a vicious process and consumption of the women’s sustenance and personality. Harwood effectively manoeuvres the connotations of certain words and phrases and vocabulary to connect clearly for all readers, distinct readings however the same text messages and principles.
Firstly, in Harwood’s HOM, we have a contrast between connotations produced which allows all of us to successfully create a which means and concept out of the composition. In HOM, there is use of certain words and vocabulary which produces a religious significance and character to it. Her make use of words and phrases just like “neat” “convent” “chapel” “old nun” “burn like incense” “spirit” “prayer” and “angels”, when regarded as by themselves are words identifiable with religious beliefs. When people imagine religion in addition they consider holiness, general benevolence and goodwill. However when Harwood also pairs these phrases alongside dialect and phrases including “ruined” “silence” “roughened hands” “ripening bodies” “memories burn” “weekday rigour” “for their particular sin” and “angels will certainly wrestle associated with brutish vigour” it gives another degree of depth towards the atmosphere with this poem and allows us to help to make a greater reading.
These set of keyword phrases mentioned brings up imagery and connotations of general uncomfortableness and discomfort. Some of the key phrases mentioned even pair “religious” and “painful” imagery following to each other for great effect, at the. g. “old nun whom silences”, “memories burn just like incense” and “angels can wrestle them”. The contrast and rapport between the two connotations of the antonymic dialect and phrases utilized in the text links religion with a few sort of malevolent will helping us set up a meaning from the text. By using into account story, context and combining it with the connotations perceived we all as readers are able to make meaning from the poem and read coming from it that Harwood can be criticizing many ways religious establishments view unwed mothers. More specifically the meaning is the fact churches and religious societies in general will be subjecting unwed mothers to fund their “sins”, but do not lend accord towards these people or consider the position of guys in this “sinful behaviour” and can thus also produce gendered and religious readings of the text. Overall, it is the faith based and antonymic connotations from the language employed in HOM that shapes this is of the text message for readers and permits us to understand that Harwood was aiming to invite all of us to consider religious and general social views on unwed mothers and how we handle them.
In Harwood’s TLB, associations have a big role to learn as well in shaping that means of the poem. In TLB, words including “softness” “warm” “faithful” “love feast” “tender” create a meaning of warmth and love. Different language like “icy spectre” “ripped” “engorged” “bones” and “ghost” make a completely different ambiance of cold and hate. Contrasted against each other, the connotations from each set of language within their own specific stanzas help to cement an alteration in moods and therefore facilitates the meaning shaped in text. The comparison in feelings generated simply by connotation, allows us to see the result marriage has, as found through Harwood’s eyes. The transition via warm wish to cold lavish feasts between the two stanzas is known as a motif intended for the livelihood of women that men devour in the process of marriage, when ever taking into account the usage of marriage emblems and circumstance. The use of significance therefore styles meaning inside the poem as well as for readers, within the views of Harwood in marriage and gender roles of that period.
Not only do they generate contrasting connotations although also, another layer of meaning. These types of words can easily all be usually used to illustrate meat, specifically “warm” “tender” “icy” and “bones”. The carnivorous connotations of these words and phrases helps loan support to Harwood’s depiction of men in marriages as lions or beasts, because they will unearth a great unconscious aspire to devour although describing all their marriages. Zoomorphism is also taken through use of connotations, such as in the words “muzzle” “human” “cafe” “keeper” and “brute king”, further characterising males as incredible beasts in marriage. The usage of meat-like adjectives and zoomorphism support the depiction of men since beasts, plus the overall which means of the text message. Harwood visits say with this use of language and connotations that men prefer to devour females whole in marriage and “engorge the painted lip area that breathed”.
Harwood successfully uses the connotations certain words have to support us form meaning of her poems and clearly understand the ideals and communications she was trying to talk and think about. The use of different religious and torturous terminology and connotations in HOM allows readers to construct meaning in her poem and reflect on the dynamic between Christian and gender ideals and how they will clash in terms of unwed mothers. In TLB, the pitting of nice against cold language and use of zoomorphism and predacious language permits us to create this is that Harwood sees men as callous beasts who have consumer the livelihood with their brides to become. Although even though the connotations of language applied is not the standalone factor of how we make meaning by a text, it is certainly key to understanding the beliefs of a copy writer and the society they originate from.
