A Journey of Self Discovery

898 Words4 Pages
A Journey of Self Discovery Each of us at some point in our lives realize that we must discover who we are, and where we fit in. Poetry has been a way of expressing that journey of self discovery for many. Two works that are great examples of this journey of self discovery are the poem “Self-Dependence” by Matthew Arnold and the nonfiction text “A Vision Beyond Time and Place” by N. Scott Momaday. In the selections, the authors show that a theme can be presented in different ways while using similar elements, including imagery, meter, rhyme, and diction. Both works revolve around the similar topic of “self discovery”, however, Arnold’s work focuses on self discovery by looking within oneself, while Momaday’s work focuses on self discovery by searching the universe. To begin with, both Arnold and Momaday use similar imagery involving celestial bodies. Arnold views the stars as a calming force in his life, while Momaday finds the sun to be a source of meditation in Native American culture. The two authors both use the imagery of these celestial bodies to show the importance of focusing oneself and looking deeper, past ones interest on to what their true place in the world is. Arnold has used the stars as a stable force of soothing peace ever since his childhood, as is shown by the line, “Ye who from my childhood up have calmed me,” (7). However, Momaday uses the sun to look past himself and into the universe, forgetting his own troubles, as “He was a man who saw very deeply into the distance...one whose vision extended far beyond the physical boundaries of his time and place” (4-6). The use of this imagery in both pieces emphasizes the theme of self discovery. Furthermore, Arnold uses trochaic pentameter while Momaday uses prose. However, Arnold’s trochaic pentameter isn’t consistent throughout the entire poem. In trochaic pentameter, each line should have five
Open Document