Observations on John Donne's meditations of "For Whom The Bell Tolls" and "No Man Is An Island ?"

Answer 1

Oh dear... (I am talking about the previous answer).

But I haven't got much to say on Donne's Meditations — I know his poems better — except that they have a religious ground. Bear in mind that he was an Anglican priest. You may want to have a look at these links. They look serious to me:

http://isu.indstate.edu/ilnprof/ENG451/ISLAND/

http://isu.indstate.edu/ilnprof/ENG451/ISLAND/text.html

Answer 2

In his "Meditation 17," Donne uses at least three images or metaphors to indicate the interconnectedness of all men--

1. the book in which every man is a chapter, by the Author (note cap. "A" indicating God). The Author (God) employs many translators (forms of death).

2. the idea of the continent of Europe as a metaphor for humanity. Doesn't matter if an insignificant man (a small clod of earth) is lost (dies), or if an important man (a large promontory or cliff over the ocean) is lost. We as mankind have all lost something.

3. the image of listening for the funeral tolling of a bell, indicating someone's death. The bell tolls for all of us at those times, because we all have lost something or someone connected to us.

Also related to this religious imagery is Donne's sonnet addressed to Death,
"Death be not proud."

Answer 3

A good question, but every movie requires a different comment/observation:

Overview
Director:
Sam Wood
Writers:
Ernest Hemingway (novel)
Dudley Nichols (screenplay)
Release Date:
28 April 1944 (Sweden) more
Genre:
Drama / Romance / Adventure / War more
Tagline:
In spite of all the things that were done to me...I never kissed a man until you...and now there are only three days and three nights! more
Plot Summary:
Spain in the 1930s is the place to be for a man of action like Robert Jordan. There is a civil war going... more
Plot Keywords:
Passion / Guerrilla / Absinthe / Blockbuster / Bridge more
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations more
User Comments:
The Bell Tolls **** more
Cast(Cast overview, first billed only)

Gary Cooper ... Robert Jordan

Ingrid Bergman ... María
Akim Tamiroff ... Pablo
Arturo de Córdova ... Agustín (violent)
Vladimir Sokoloff ... Anselmo (guide)
Mikhail Rasumny ... Rafael (Gypsy)
Fortunio Bonanova ... Fernando (calm)
Eric Feldary ... Andrés (courier to Gen. Golz)
Victor Varconi ... Primitivo (lookout)
Katina Paxinou ... Pilar
Joseph Calleia ... El Sordo
Lilo Yarson ... Joaquin
Alexander Granach ... Paco
Adia Kuznetzoff ... Gustavo
Leonid Snegoff ... Ignacio
more
Additional Details
Runtime:
170 min / USA:134 min (re-release) / USA:168 min (restored version)
Country:
USA
Language:
English / Spanish
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)
Certification:
UK:U / Argentina:16 / Finland:K-16 / Sweden:11
Filming Locations:
Blue Canyon, California, USA more
MOVIEmeter: ?
^ 7% since last week why?
Company:
Paramount Pictures more
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Only a handful of Spanish actors were used in the film. more
Quotes:
Robert Jordan: A man fights for what he believes in, Fernando! more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The Ultimate Film (2004) (TV) more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question. User Comments (Comment on this title)
4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful:-
The Bell Tolls ****, 6 February 2006
10/10
Author: edwagreen from United States

Ernest Hemingway's tragic novel of a soldier of fortune was made into the 1943 outstanding Oscar nominated film "For Whom the Bell Tolls."

With an award-winning musical score, Gary Cooper touched us in the lead role of an American fighting for the royalists during the Spanish Civil War of the late 1930s.

While in a hideout he meets an assorted group of people such as Maria, beautifully realized by Ingrid Bergman. Their love burns bright but is destined to end tragically. Who can ever forget at the end when Cooper, unable to flee, tells Maria to go and live for the both of them. Your heart could sink when these words were spoken.

As the fiery revolutionary, Katina Paxinou was named best supporting actress. She is equally matched by a fine performance but revolutionary Akim Tamiroff.

A great film for romantics, history buffs and mankind.
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Overview
Directors:
Richard Goldstone
John Monks Jr.
Writers:
Richard Goldstone
John Monks Jr.
Release Date:
20 September 1962 (USA) more
Genre:
War / Drama more
Tagline:
Most incredible true story in U.S. Navy history!
Plot Summary:
The true story of George Tweed, an American sailor who became the only serviceman on the island of Guam... more
Plot Keywords:
Guam / Japan / Pacific / US Navy / WWII more
User Comments:
Excellent war movie more
Cast(Cast overview, first billed only)
Jeffrey Hunter ... George R. Tweed
Marshall Thompson ... Jonn Sonnenberg
Barbara Perez ... 'Joe' Cruz
Ronald Remy ... Chico Torres
Paul Edwards Jr. ... Al Turney
Rolf Bayer ... Chief Schultz
Vicente Liwanag ... Vicente
Fred Harris II ... Roy Lund
Lamberto V. Avellana ... Mr. Shimoda
Chichay ... Mrs. Nakamura
Antonio De la Mogueis ... Florecito
Vic Silayan ... Major Hondo
Bert La Fortesa ... Comdr. Oto Harada
Eddie Infante ... Sus Quintagua
Nardo Ramos ... Tumon
more
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Island Escape (UK)
more
Runtime:
114 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Finland:K-16 / Sweden:15
Filming Locations:
Philippines more
MOVIEmeter: ?
^ 23% since last week why?
Company:
Gold Coast Productions more
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The only reason for Barbara Perez in accepting this project was for the opportunity to go to Hollywood to see her favorite stars. She indeed joined the cast in promoting the film in U.S.A.