Skip to main content

In the poem "To the Nile" by John Keats, what is the poet's attitude towards the river?

The speaker admires the river. Note that he calls the Nile "Chief" of the pyramids and the crocodiles. That is to say, the Nile is the leader or guiding force of culture (pyramids) and nature (crocodiles). The Nile has been the "nurse" of many African nations. Here, the speaker notes how the river has helped civilization develop along its banks. Without this great river, these civilizations would not have developed so well or they would...

The speaker admires the river. Note that he calls the Nile "Chief" of the pyramids and the crocodiles. That is to say, the Nile is the leader or guiding force of culture (pyramids) and nature (crocodiles). The Nile has been the "nurse" of many African nations. Here, the speaker notes how the river has helped civilization develop along its banks. Without this great river, these civilizations would not have developed so well or they would have developed elsewhere. Being along a large river or a body of water helps a society in terms of having a water supply, transportation, ports, fish, and so on. The Nile has clearly been useful for a number of societies, namely ancient Egypt. 


The speaker says the Nile is fruitful, but then asks if this is actually true. Is the Nile fruitful or does it just "beguile" (charm) those who live on its banks to stay there and develop their societies? The speaker supposes that the Nile would have to be fruitful and charming to keep societies near even though the northern part of the river is surrounded by desert. Despite all of the grandeur and charm of the river, the speaker concludes that the Nile is also like all rivers: 



Green rushes like our rivers, and dost taste 
The pleasant sun-rise, green isles hast thou too, 
And to the sea as happily dost haste. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more