In the introduction, I will identify and discuss various components of Philip Levine’s “starlight”, such as, speaker; situation; diction; imaging; rhetorical figures and other elements of poetry. Throughout this article the preceding elements will be explained in detail.
I will call the speaker of the poem ‘he’ because the poet is a man. The progression of the poem is very climactic. In other words, it signifies a turning point like most works. For example, line #21, which illustrates where ‘father and son’ meet face to face (thus allowing the son to enjoy the glow of starlight with his ‘head in the air’). Furthermore, he proceeded to ask his father the question his father asked him earlier in the poem: “Are you happy?” The speaker’s point of view points to reflections of himself as the image of his father; growing up to be like his father, and the ‘father like son’ syndrome which is subtly illustrated by the following lines: “I’m four years old and I’m getting tired (line 3) – compared to – .. .but I can smell the exhaustion hanging on his breath.” (lines 16-17) Furthermore, the last part of the poem also corroborates this point.
Of course, the point of view, as noted above, introduces the speaker’s implied attitude towards his or her view of the poem, thus setting the tone of the poem which is very somber and gray (which is in direct irony with its title, ” Starlight”) with the use of key words, such as, “getting tired; cigarette; moon riding over the old neighborhood; lonely; thick and choked; the weariness that hangs on his breath; autumn, and the boy slept forever wake up in that world again.”
The structure of the poem is very interesting. Well, it seems to be written in closed form when looking at it, initially. However, when you look closely you can notice that the initial letters of the lines are not capitalized; only where a new prize begins. Therefore, I assumed that its structure is presented in an open form. Also, there are no visible breaks or stanzas in the poem. I ponder, does the form represent “a tall, gaunt child (line 28) or a gloomy and gray tower of Babel (in its failed attempt) to proclaim itself there among the stars (line 21)?”
The subject of this poem is a comparison (both emotional and physical) between the speaker and his father, as illustrated in the preceding paragraphs, framed by its content, for example, lines 8 and 22. In these lines, the same question. by both parties (giving a subliminal reference to their emotional state). Also, lines 3 and 17 (‘weariness’) give a subliminal reference to his physical well-being. In interpretation, these cases represent the speaker (a child) ‘growing up’ to become his parent.
The situation seems to be set in a small town. This statement can be stated in line 7: “…low over the old neighborhood…”. Also, the site of this poem is assumed to be in Northeast America due to keywords, such as autumn; summer moon and porch (usually veranda, outside the United States). Also, I deduced this particular scenario due to the stimulation I received from reading the poem which of course is highly subjective. Also, the experiences reflected in this poem allow me to draw from my own experiences as I draw a mental picture of what is happening in this poem. Therefore, my response to the poem is very subjective to its classical sense of writing. Also, my reaction to the dynamic is somewhat muted, even though the poem’s dynamic has a fast-paced, even-paced style.
Regarding the writing style/word choice of the poem, specifically its diction, the diction used in this poem is very specific. Excluding, of course, the last six lines of the poem and the quote, “Are you happy?” These quotes are abstract and are basically the engine that drives the poem. For example, these quotes are found at the beginning and end of the poem. Similarly, the poem is detonation-oriented, except for the quotes above which are wrapped in connotations. The meanings that I interpreted in reference to the above quotes (respectively) are expounded in the following sentences. The first quote deals with the speaker’s happiness in his being state compared to his father’s happiness in his being state (for example, the father said “yes” to the question while the speaker hesitated to answer). The last six lines deal with the transition (reflection) of the son growing up to be like his father in the future (“autumn…until the boy fell asleep never to wake up in that world again”).
Also the ‘father-son relationship’ has been the centerpiece of this poem. This literary work is very rich in images that capture my imagination. As I noted earlier, keywords like: “the glow of her cigarette, redder than the riding summer moon”-lines #5-6-place me in the active setting of the poem. It pains me to see the poem as much as to see it as an actual movie. I must say that his poem is visual (lines #5 – 6), auditory (line #22), olfactory (line #25), gustatory (line #16 – 17) and synesthetic (line #16 – 17).
Additionally, figures of speech (specifically metaphors) also add to this poem. For example, “…smell the exhaustion hanging on his breath.” – lines #5 – 6. On the other hand, there is limited use of similes and other figures of speech in this poem.
On the other hand, various elements of poetry are well represented. For example, “autumn” – line #30 – symbolizes adulthood passing into old age. The syntax does not contain many rhymes (sounds) although the rhythm and meter are maintained throughout the poem. Furthermore, all the irony of the poem projects the sadness of the experience into the background of the ‘starry night’, hence the title: “Starlight”.
In conclusion, this poem was magnificently written. The first person cleverly places me in the poem, thus making me an active participant in the poem. The poem is an interesting read. I have been exposed to new insights from the speaker’s point of view.
