I.A. Richard : Reading Poems

Namashkar,

 In this blog I am going to analyze the poem "A MYSTERIOUS MARRIAGE" by looking closely at how it uses language, its organization, metaphors, and imagery. I'll be discussing and questioning these elements to understand the practical aspects according to I.A. Richards' ideas on practical criticism. If you want more information on practical criticism, you can check out Barad sir's blog .

The poem 

A MYSTERIOUS MARRIAGE

Once upon a time

A boy and girl were

Forced to leave their home

By armed robbers.

The boy was Independence

The girl was Freedom.

While fighting back, they got married.

After the big war they went back home.

Everybody prepared for the wedding.

Drinks and food abounded,

Even the disabled felt able.

The whole village gathered waiting,

Freedom and Independence

Were more popular than Jesus.

Independence came

But Freedom was not there.

An old woman saw Freedom’s shadow passing

Through the crowd, leaving by the gate.

All the same, they celebrated Independence.

Independence is now a senior bachelor.

Some people still talk about him,

Others take no notice.

A lot still say it was a fake marriage.

You can’t be a husband without a wife.

Fruitless and barren, Independence staggers to old age.

Leaving her shadow behind,

Freedom has never returned.

© 2009, Freedom T.V. Nyamubaya

Personal observation and queries-

From the literary reading of the poem, problems that arises are following:

1] How can a disable become able by marriage? The line in the poem that"Even the disabled felt able", is  quite incomprehensive as reader.

2] The Mention of old women in the poem is quite unclear.

3]  Marriage is a ceremony occur between two living beings, so marriage between independence and freedom is quite obscure.

Essence of the poem

This poem explores the allegorical journey of Independence and Freedom, personified as a boy and a girl. The narrative touches on the challenges they face, including forced displacement, the struggle against adversity, and a symbolic marriage during a war. The poem talks about how not having freedom even after gaining independence shows the lasting effects of conflict. It hints at feeling disappointed after achieving freedom. The words make us think about the complications and results of wanting freedom and independence.