1. The first two stanzas might be interpreted literally if the third and fourth stanzas did not force us to interpret them symbollically. What do the rosebuds symbolize (stanza 1)? what does the course of a day symbolize (stanza 2)? Does the poet narrow the meaning of the rosebud symbol in the last stanza or merely name one of its specific meanings?
The rosebuds in the poem symbolize the virginity of women. The course of the day in the second stanza represents the course of life, and the limits implied. The rosebuds seem to represent virginity clearly after the last stanza. However, before that stanza, it remains uncertain because it does not directly allude to women?s virginity and it seems to be concentrated more on the way people should live their life.
2. How does the title help us interpret the meaning of the symbol? Why is "virgins" a more meaningful word than, for example, maidens?
The title helps us find the symbol because it shows the relation between any possible symbol and what it to be represented. Directly after the title, the author uses rosebuds to take advantage of the statement made in the title. ?Virgins? is more meaningful because it directly emphasizes and represent what the author is trying to argue.
3. Why is such haste necessary in gathering the rosebuds? True, the blossoms die quickly, but they are replaced by others. Who really is dying?
There is such haste in gathering the ?rosebuds? because, as humans, women do not live forever and life is fragile. What really is dying is the ability to have children.
4. What are "the worse, worst" times? Why?
The ?worse, worse times? refers to the episode in one?s life when he or she is no longer young. The author does not seem only concentrated in the virginity, but the fulfillment and accomplishments when one is young.
5. Why is the wording of the poem better than these possible alternatives: blooms for "smiles", course for "race", used for "spent", spend for "use"?
The wording is better because it utilizes specific words that are more related to the poem and among each other. Also, the words employed seem to be less common than their respective alternatives, making the poem more authentic.
Perrine's "Sound and Sense" (87)
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