Blog Response #3

Marsh Languages
I also like this poem very much. I chose this poem as the poem that demonstrates fall. This poem literally laments the loss of “Marsh Languages,” which is very true in today’s world in which languages of the minority are disappearing quickly. I say literal because a conceit may be used in the poem, which opens it up for different interpretations, such as “men taking over world.” The commonality between all different possible interpretations is that of one group dominating the rest. Thus, I believe this poem speaks to the human tendency to be egotistic, which in this case is a tragic flaw as shown by the fall demonstrated throughout this poem. When one believes so strongly in one’s ideas, one may become so arrogant as to declare that his/her and only his/her idea is correct and that all other ideas are meaningless. Human haughtiness has shown itself to have disastrous effects again and again throughout history. The most shameful event in modern history is Hitler’s Nazi Regime, which is definitely a result of Hitler’s egotism believing that Aryans are the best, and thus all others should be exterminated.
This hamartia embedded in the poem is closely related to the message of the poem. I think hamartia, if located in a poem, is almost as valuable as the theme in pointing out the correct message intended by the author.