White Christmas- Little Tree Compare And Contrast

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Literature Coursework Both of the poems give different views on Christmas. W.R Rodgers view is that of a cynical one in “White Christmas” he describes the current state of corruption and hypocrisy. Where as in E.E Cumming’s “little tree” it tells the story of a naïve child who has not yet been exposed to this corrupt and twisted world. Of the two poems I would say that White Christmas appeals more to my own point of view. As it highlights the problems that are just simply ignored when it comes to Christmas time. Its Subject is that of something important and meaningful. In the first verse Rodgers talks about how he harvests a strong bitterness about the state of hypocrisy in the world at that particular time. He describes the fake niceness and sheer insincerity of peoples, attitudes at Christmas. He states how the snow acts as the mask of harmony and that it covers or embosoms all the harsh ness and evil in society with its caring white coat. Covering for example the sharp edges of buildings with soft round corners. “Sharp and pointed shapes of venom”. The use of the phrase Arms- interstices of caste and class” Shows how at Christmas we all get on to a degree with everyone at Christmas but notice how its at arms length rather than a full embrace. Showing how its rather through gritted teeth than heartfelt. Finally in the first verse it describes how miraculously this snow makes the world bleed white for a day almost as if suddenly the world is pure and free of evil. The 2nd Verse starts very much the same with a sarcastic insincere comment about how punctually Peace and Goodwill turn up miraculously hand in hand and “Emerge royally to take the air” to collect the bows and greetings of everyone which is clearly not genuine. Notice how when he states “Angels like stalactites, descend from heaven” The angels are refereed to as stalactites rather than an
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