Poetry essay, at the crossroads

A detailed Summary of Poetry essay, at the crossroads

Poetry Essay, At the Crossroads

Compare and contrast the two views of old age from both Old Man, Old Man and Warning.

Whilst reading through the 'At the Crossroads' section of my Tracks book I noticed how the poems 'Old Man, Old Man' and 'Warning' have an extremely different outlook of old age. 'Warning' which is written by Jenny Joseph gives a positive view of old age that is portrayed in the title. Joseph is giving a caution as if to say, 'watch out I'm coming.' However U A Fanthorpe's poem entitled, 'Old Man, Old Man' immediately illustrates a negative attitude. As the 'Old Man' has been repeated we can already presume that we are going to feel sympathetic towards the old man. In my essay I am going to compare the two poems and try to verify their separate visions of old age.

Both poems are similar in the way that they compare old age to middle age. However Fanthorpe is writing in the present tense where her father is an old man, "now you ramble in your talk." Whereas Joseph is writing in the present tense where she, herself is in her middle age, "now we must have clothes that keep us dry." Then Fanthorpe looks back on her father's middle age, "lord once of shed, garage and garden." Conversely Joseph

Joseph anticipates that her old age will be in her control, she writes, "I shall." She assumes that her body and mind will let her do what she wants. Also Joseph believes that she will be able to cope with old age and be free of the disadvantages that old age can bring, "pick the flowers in other people's gardens." Though in the more realistic poem the old man has lost the self control that he used to have, "now his hands shamble along clues he left for himself when he saw better."

After looking at 'Warning' and 'Old Man, Old Man' in more depth I have noticed many differences between them. To conclude I believe 'Warning' is what everyone wants old age to be like but 'Old Man, Old Man' portrays a much more realistic view.

The elderly differ in their overall outlook of old age. This is shown through their pension spending. Joseph spends her pension on, "brandy and summer gloves." This is reckless spending on things that are unnecessary. On the other hand the old man has to spend his pension wisely, "timetabled cigarette." He has to budget himself and does not blow his money.

In 'Warning' Joseph writes of the way that now in her middle age she must, "set a good example for the children." Joseph is explaining that she has to act mature and sensible. Yet in 'Old Man, Old Man' Fanthorpe comments on how he is, "not good with daughters" in his middle age. Her father was more of an outdoor man who seemed to know everything about DIY, "world authority on twelve differen

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Approximate Word count = 998
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English