Dawn

Hayden Myrick

Jernigan

AP Literature

February 28, 2011

“Dawn”

            “Dawn’s” structure as a Petrarchan poem adds to the effect the poem on the reader. The rhyme scheme exhibited through the poem intensifies certain nouns and verbs that require emphasis in order to create the proper emotional and sensory feelings that the author, Ella Higginson, strives to create. For example, in lines 1 and 4, the words “three” and “dreamily” connect to create an airy sense of time and beautiful disorientation. The rhyme they share further relates them; therefore creating tremendously more vivid sensory feeling. The volta as the rooster crows and at the end of the poem when the “crimson shaft of dawn” pierces the dreams of the dreamer. The poem does not possess a definite problem that gets resolved. The dreams of the individual experience an ending, just as they do every morning. The volta cannot be avoided; therefore making it common, nonetheless important.

            This poem invades the deepest feelings of the subconscious; the feelings that a dream creates. The ghost-like images and settings relate to the reader in ways other poems cannot. Dreams make known a humans deepest subconscious secrets and desires. The scene portrayed in the poem relates to all humans. All experience this same kind of dream state when they awake and remain connected with the outside world but still in touch with the world within their mind.