H05033 "CHANNEL FIRING" AND "THE SECOND COMING" - 4/9/05 - HARDY FORUM ARCHIVES ____________________________________________________________________________
From: sschofi404@pickens.net
Subject: "Channel Firing" and "The Second Coming"
Date: April 9, 2005 1:01:21 PM PDT
Hello everyone, I'm new to this group. I was wondering, has anyone ever thought of a comparasion/contrast of "Channel Firing" and "The Second Coming" by Yeats? I think both poems are about the second coming itself, but in different ways. In Hardy's poem, the world is moving from chaos (war) to stability and peace and this happens only once. In Yeats' poem, it's moving from stability to temporary chaos, as the cycles of civilization change. I would greatly appreciate anyone's thoughts.
Jennifer Schofield
sschofi404@pickens.net
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From: hardycor@owl.csusm.edu
Subject: Re: "Channel Firing" and "The Second Coming"
Date: April 9, 2005 1:54:28 PM PDT
First of all, welcome to the Hardy List Jennifer, and thank you for your
interesting question.
About these two poems, my first thoughts are that the most obvious
comparison between them is the prophetic element they share--the approach
of World War I in "Channel Firing" (rather than the end of the world,
which God reassures the dead may never even happen) and the disintegration
of civilization in "The Second Coming." In Yeats's poem even the coming of
a Messiah figure threatens to bring "nightmare" rather than salvation.
The horror of the First World War is a matter of record. I would say that
the obvious difference between the poems lies in their tone--Hardy's
colored by ironic humor, Yeats's infused with an irony of a far more
dramatic and dreadful kind.
All the Best,
Betty Cortus
hardycor@owl.csusm.edu
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From: apalling@tbaytel.net
Subject: Re: "Channel Firing" and "The Second Coming"
Date: April 9, 2005 2:10:31 PM PDT
"In Hardy's poem, the world is moving from chaos (war) to stability and peace and this happens only once."
"The world is as it used to be" implies that war and preparation for war are "normal" activities for human beings, and that the human world will never be "saner." However, the closing image in "The Channel Firing" is a harbinger of destruction on a scale never before seen as modern technology is applied to the ancient art of war, fought at Camelot and even as "starlit Stonehenge" was being erected. The only stability in human affairs, then, seems to be a certain "contained chaos" and the inevitability of armed conflict. Such organized violence does not occur just once; rather, it has occurred in every place and every age, Hardy implies.
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From: sschofi404@pickens.net
Subject: Re: "Channel Firing" and "The Second Coming"
Date: April 9, 2005 2:53:29 PM PDT
I forgot to tell you all about myself in the first message. I'm 31 and I'm a "professional" senior majoring in English with a minor in history at the University of Alabama. I hope to graduate in December, big hope though. I might stretch it out to May cause most graduate schools accept for fall semester. I'm going to get a Masters in English then teach for a while at a junior college or be an instructor at a university.
I was thinking of how the people in the coffins thought it was Judgement day in the beginning. I just thought of this though, the cycles in "Channel Firing" are the ones mentioned in the last stanza and the practice for war. In both poems there is an indifference toward humans.
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From: Carolyn.McGrath@newham.gov.uk
Subject: RE: "Channel Firing" and "The Second Coming"
Date: April 11, 2005 4:36:08 AM PDT
Hiya Jennifer
Have you come across the Poem ofthe Month site of the Thomas Hardy Association which is run by Bill Morgan? There is a discussion there regarding 'Channel Firing' which you might like to read and contribute to. Although the discussion has moved on to other poems, it is not unknown for a debate to be resurrected at a later date so please don't feel you've missed the boat. I look forward to your taking part.
best wishes
Carolyn McGrath
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From: sschofi404@pickens.net
Subject: Re: "Channel Firing" and "The Second Coming"
Date: April 11, 2005 3:47:46 PM PDT
I just got home and those messages brightened my birthday. Bill Morgan is the one who told me I might want to subscribe to this list.
I have to admit, Hardy is one of my favorites. I think it's the cynicism of life. I was reading his novels in high school, but I don't remember much of them. I wonder why it is that when you "have" to read something like you're an English major, you sometimes lose the joy and enthusiasm. I need to find a way to get that part of reading back. Maybe I'll come across it after this semester is over.
Jennifer Schofield
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From: sschofi404@pickens.net
Subject: Re: "Channel Firing" and "The Second Coming"
Date: April 11, 2005 4:38:17 PM PDT
I had read the discussions on "Channel Firing" Friday, but I had to read them again. I also went back and read again "And There Was a Great Calm". I can identify, as probably most of us can, the lines of the spirit of pity asking why. That's the age old question. If someone could find that out they would be rich. And please forgive any grammar errors, I'm sick with strep and a fever, and still trying to stay caught up. One of life's vicious cycles. I think I've gotten a cynical view on life from having been betrayed several times. I think that helps me identify and "get into" Hardy's work. Who knows.
Jennifer Schofield
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From: hardycor@owl.csusm.edu
Subject: Re: "Channel Firing" and "The Second Coming"
Date: April 11, 2005 5:05:46 PM PDT
Dear Jennifer,
Thanks for telling us about how Hardy's poetry resonates with you. I think
many of us do identify with his work because he manages to get to the core
of the universal emotions that we all have experienced at one time or
another. I hope you feel better soon.
Best Wishes,
Betty
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From: sschofi404@pickens.net
Subject: Re: "Channel Firing" and "The Second Coming"
Date: April 11, 2005 5:53:53 PM PDT
thanks, I thought I may have been rambling too much.
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