The Power of a Strong Human Spirit in Imaginative Journeys

Success is not just about reaching a destination, but also about the journey itself. The text underscores the importance of a strong human spirit in embarking on imaginative journeys that transport us to unreal realms within our minds. It emphasizes that a resilient human spirit is crucial for these journeys and points out that their success lies in experiencing them rather than achieving a specific end point. This idea is further explored in poems like "Frost at Midnight" and "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, as well as in "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou, which highlight the significance of the journey itself and the role of a strong human spirit in undertaking it.

Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise" delves into the racial discrimination she experienced in America. Despite enduring hardships and being harmed by those who prejudge her, she shows resilience and victory. She consistently stresses that no matter how many times she is knocked down, she will always rise again.

Get quality help now

Bella Hamilton

Verified writer

Proficient in: Human

5 (234)

“ Very organized ,I enjoyed and Loved every bit of our professional interaction ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

The poet uses similes, rhetorical questions, and a strong human spirit to convey her connection with nature and challenge societal perceptions of wealth by incorporating oil, gold, and diamonds in the poem "Still I'll Rise". Through this journey, she effectively communicates her beliefs and resonates with readers.

Writing this poem as a form of protest required a strong human spirit from her. The entire poem revolves around the theme of freedom, which is evident every time she experiences pain but manages to overcome it. Through her use of metaphors, she highlights the resilience of her spirit in the face of discrimination, yet she still maintains hope and continues forward.

Phrases such as "Just like hopes springing high" and "you may shoot me with your words" illustrate her unwavering determination. Additionally, her use of rhetorical questions and repetition encourages readers to ponder and fully grasp the message conveyed through her powerful words and indomitable spirit.

Despite facing challenges, the strong human spirit of the poet in "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge allowed him to achieve the freedom he desired through his imaginative journey with nature. Through alliteration and assonance, the poet beautifully describes his connection with nature and how it leads to success on his journey. The poem illustrates how nature's beauty plays a key role in creating a successful and fulfilling journey.

Using a simile, the author describes the place as old but still in good condition, comparing it to forests as ancient as hills. The river is depicted as scary and holy through the use of an oxymoron, with the words "savage" and "holy" contradicting each other. The success of the journey is portrayed as still alive but really ancient. He employs alliteration to describe a woman's music, referring to her as "A Damsel with a dulcimer" playing "Loud and Long" for "Deep Delight." By including these literary devices, the author celebrates the success of the journey throughout.

In his poem "Kubla Khan," Samuel Taylor Coleridge emphasizes the significance of a robust human spirit when undertaking a creative voyage. By employing assonance and alliteration effectively, Coleridge depicts the allure of nature and the metamorphic influence of a resilient human spirit. The poet's striking imagery, like the "Sunless Sea," constructs a heavenly domain that requires the fortitude of one's own spirit to enter. A powerful human spirit is essential for envisioning this idealistic place.

Throughout the journey, he recounts his profound bond with the natural world and, thanks to his robust human spirit, he envisions nature and the environment using extraordinary metaphors such as the river springing up fiercely to transform into a fountain. "As if this earth in fast thick pants were breathing." In Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "Frost at midnight," his imaginative journey is emphasized as the achievement rather than the end goal. As the poet delves into his past and then transitions into another dream, it is evident that the success lies in the imaginative journey itself rather than reaching a specific destination.

The poet starts with a metaphor linking nature and God, stating "The frost performs its secret ministry," suggesting that the journey's success is already underway with nature and God. This idea is connected to the poet's journey back to his childhood, as he sits in the quiet cottage observing the film in the blue flame flickering on the grate, contrasting with his past self watching a fluttering stranger through school bars. This marks the beginning of his imaginative journey, emphasizing that there is no specific destination.

While sitting at school, he drifts into another dream about his birthplace and the church tower where the bell would ring sweetly, reminiscing about his successful journey when he was younger in the countryside where he felt a strong connection to nature. In comparison, in the city, his only connection was the "lovely star and sky." Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "Frost at Midnight" illustrates the importance of a strong human spirit in an imaginative journey, with the simile "inaudible as dreams" highlighting the quietness that bolsters his spirit for the journey.

The poet uses assonance to express his unease at the solitude imposed by his inmates, stating that it has led him to engage in deep contemplation. Similarly, gazing at the blue flame ignites a strong sense of humanity within him, prompting him to embark on a creative exploration. Additionally, the bond between father and son serves to inspire the poet, motivating him to ensure that his son grows up in the countryside rather than the city, fostering a deeper connection to nature.