Donne and W;t Flashcards
Links between wit and Donne
The anxiety of one’s own brief existence catalyses a process of metamorphosis in which an individual examines their their relationship, ideologies and legacy to determine the fullness of their life.
Intro
Parallels between the texts are what transform their ideas into an overarching dogma and reveal timelessness and importance. Both composers explore universal catalyst of anxiety, death and concept of salvation. Both show that death is a timeless source of anxiety for humanity that cannot be exhumed by intellect but rather through spiritual atonement and self-effacement.
First body paragraph
Implicit and explicit connections which reshape their ideas and make the accessible for modern audience. Initially both investigate intellects ability to provide existential relief as they realise that this is actually a spiritual ordeal. Inspired by anxiety Donne manifests death in DEATH BE NOT PROUD. Haughty attitude in “Death, though shalt die”, coupling conceit and paradox in attempted mastery of death through wit. Edson reshapes this in W;T through Vivian. Diagnosed as terminally, “I know all about life and death”, ironic as she knows about both due to obsessive study of Donne. Irony is more easily understood by modern audience than Donne’s poetry. During life-threatening fever Donne wrote HYMN TO GOD, MY GOD, IN MY SICKNESS features metaphorical “I tune the instrument here at the door” referring to preparation of soul for death, portraying shift to spiritual resolution. Mirrored in W;T when Susie, Vivian’s nurse, “carefully rubs baby oil on Vivian’s hands” when Vivian is near death. Edson symbolising preparation on body for death in secular context, showing own shift to spiritual atonement.
Second paragraph
Facing imminent death, anxiety is unavoidable. Salvation anxiety catalyses repentance and self-effacement for sake of salvation. A change in techniques for both Edson and Donne is indicative of rising anxiety of Donne and Vivian as death drawn nearer, signifying changed attitudes towards death and salvation. Donne shows a change in tone at each Volta. Sonnets go from dominance to subservience as shown in AT THE EARTH’S IMAGIN’D CORNERS as goes from “never taste death’s woe” to “Tach me how to repent”, signifying acquiescence to God and death. His sickness elicits further anxiety and increases need for repentance, he seizes opportunity to atone in IF POISONOUS MINERALS when he states “I think it mercy, if thou wilt forget.” Apostrophe created subservient tone. Paralleled by Edson which Vivian’s ironic reflection “I am learning to suffer” contrasts her previous intellectual concerns. Further emphasised by loss of aloof stays in “I’m sorry” and “I’m scared” contrasting earlier responses to questions of “Fine”. She has set aside we pride to acknowledge her anxiety and mortality. Self-effacement is necessary for the salvation of the soul.
