18th, 19th and/or 20th century pomes about overcoming obstacles, or poets that maybe helpful with this topic?

Question

I'm doing a research paper for English 1302- My topic is Overcoming life's obstacles... I'm using poems, and so far I have found: "On a Tree Fallen Across the Road" and " The Road Not Taken" by. Robert Frost... I'm looking for poems that may fit this pattern: conflict, stagnancy, resolution- I open to any advice or resources that may be helpful!! Thanks!!! =0P

Answer 1

Your subject is a huge one, especially since you're dealing with three centuries of poetry and themes that have plagued nearly every poet who has ever written. Here are some possibilities:

18th century: Phillis Wheatley, "On Being Brought from Africa." The poem is short, but it contains the conflict and resolution that you might be looking for.

19th century: Walt Whitman's Song of Myself deals with all kinds of decisions, conflicts, opposition to stagnancy, and multiple resolutions.

20th century: T.S. Eliot's "Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" is probably the best example of inner conflict, the fear of stagnancy, and the resolution of self-alienation and despair.

Other 20th century poets that deal with these subjects include Paul Laurence Dunbar, Countee Cullen, Elizabeth Bishop, John Ashbery, and just about any other poet!

Answer 2

Listen to the good advice of the above answers.

You also might try "Invictus", by William Ernest Henley. A little hokey, but I've always liked the last two lines.



Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeoning of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

Answer 3

Good one C.S. The first time I got a violation for solicitation I felt utterly filthy and ashamed. Yesterday I got a violation from an August post and there was absolutely no reason given. I think I'd rather feel the shame of the 'poetry pimp' label than not get a reason at all! (I can't believe Elaine remembers that! Haha!)

Answer 4

Try Robert Frost, Emily Dickenson

Answer 5

Watch out for how you use Frost's Road Not Taken. Scholars could argue that Frost is lamenting his decision, rather than rejoicing in it. The road less traveled by, may, in Frost's eyes, have been the incorrect one.

Answer 6

You're in English 1302 and you can't even spell "poem" correctly in your title question or use the word "am" in your last sentence? Colleges are really going downhill in this country. Go study grammar and then maybe poetry will make more sense.

Answer 7

Try "If" by Rudyard Kipling. It's amazing.