Synopsis of old ironsides by oliver wendell holmes. Analysis, meaning and summary of oliver wendell holmess poem old ironsides. Long has it waved on high, and many an eye has danced to see. About this poet writer, doctor, and educator oliver wendell holmes sr. Old ironsides american poems analysis, themes, meaning and. Old ironsides by oliver wendell holmes old ironsides was written by physicianauthor oliver wendell holmes. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Yes, dear departed, cherished days, could memorys hand restore your morning light, your evening rays from times gray urn once more, then might this restless heart be still, this straining eye might close, and hope her fainting pinions fold, while the fair phantoms rose. The poem old ironsides refers to the united states ship constitution, a battleship that had played a major role in naval battles during the war of 1812. Old ironsides analysis literary devices and poetic devices. The poem does not follow a specific or consistent rhyming pattern. Old ironsides by oliver wendell holmes is a three stanza poem which is separated into sets of eight lines, or octaves. Discussion of themes and motifs in oliver wendell holmes old ironsides. The poem talks about an old, battered, dilapidated ship that has seen many years of war.
The pronoun her refers to the title of the poem, old ironsides, which alludes to the u. Old ironsides by oliver wendell holmes poem analysis. His popular writings allowed him to meet regularly with famous writers such as. The poem begins by mourning the ships tattered ensign and launches into a reminiscence of her past victories, labeling those who wish to scrap her as harpies. Constitution, a former frigate of the united states navy and the oldest commissioned naval ship in. Sometimes, we might get annoyed with people and find that we respond to their words or. Holmes grew up well educated, and wrote his first big hit old ironsides at just 21. Old ironsides was holmes tribute poem to the threemasted us naval frigate that earned its nickname during the battle of 1812, defeating five british warships.
Oliver wendell holmes, a great american physician, and poet wrote, old ironsides. Old ironsides is what we might call a ship of state poem a verse work that compares the operations of a nation to those of a sailing vessel. This poem contains nostalgia for the past, a characteristic theme of the romantic time. Instead, each stanza follows its own rhyme scheme, resulting in a varied and interesting tone when read aloud. In the poem, the author wishes for the ship to meet its end in a way befitting its life of service. Featured in the collection poems of american patriotism 1922, brander matthews, editor. This 11reel silent film is set at the time of stephen decaturs defeat of the barbary pirates in tripoli.
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