Felix Randal Diction, Imagery and Tone Essay Elizabeth Murray PDF

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Image Tone and Diction Poetry Essay on Felix Randall...

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In ‘Felix Randal’, the speaker contemplates what he sees as significant aspects of the life and death of the farrier. With close reference to diction, imagery and tone, discuss the above statement as reflected in the poem. 250 – 300 words

The poet contrasts the gradual deterioration of the farriers mental and physical health with the gradual improvement of his spiritual health after he has fallen ill. The poet portrays this contrast through the use of diction, imagery and tone. Felix Randal is portrayed by the poet as an impressive figure. The poet speaks of his admiration for the manner in which the farrier lived, describing him with impressive diction such as a ‘mould of man’ and 'big-boned'. Felix Randal worked with great force at his 'random grim forge' as he hammered the horseshoe into place. In life, Felix Randal is described by the poet as being lively and 'boisterous'. He was respected for his work and 'powerful amidst peers.' Through the use of such imagery the poet portrays Felix Randal as a man who required brute strength to perform his job and who was admired among his peers. The poet’s tone is initially detached/dispassionate/unaffected/matter of fact but shifts to being contemplative, grieving and compassionate as the poem progresses. The poet first asks the rhetorical question ‘O, is he dead then?’ as if he is hearing news of a strangers passing, the tone is thus unaffected. He then follows it with the statement ‘my duty all ended’ as if ministering to Felix Randal was just a job and it is now over As the poem develops the poet realises that his ministering to Felix had the effect of making Felix more accepting of his plight. Despite Felix's initial frustration and impatience, he became more tolerant. The poet uses diction such as 'impatient he cursed' and 'a heavenlier heart began' to describe Felix Randal’s change in attitude. The poet comes to the realisation that he has become more compassionate as a result of his association with Felix. 'This seeing the sick endears them to us' indicates that an intimate bond developed between the two men. The tone of the poem has seemed to change from that of unaffected to compassionate. The poet goes as far as to refer to Felix as a ‘child’ which contrasts with the image of him in the earlier stanza’s. In the moments before his death Felix Randal is remembered for the man he once was and how far from that he is now....