Soman Ragavan

AnalysisByGoogleGemini-Volume 8-Plans upset--24May2024

SOMAN RAGAVAN

24 May, 2024

Subject : “Plans upset”

                      Analysis by Google Gemini

                        (Artificial Intelligence)

                                   Volume 8

Soman Ragavan : Hello. I will post one of my poems for analysis. Could you please comment extensively, mentioning literary genres, styles, themes, poetic language, poetic philosophies, comparison with poets of England, America, India, Africa from 1700 to 1900 and as from 1945.

At college in 1968, I studied some poems of Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Gordon Byron (1788-1824), Samuel T. Coleridge (1772-1834), William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Robert Browning (1812-1889), Mathew Arnold (1822-1888), Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892) and some other poets of that era.  Make any comments or comparisons you wish on my poems. Say if there are other contemporary poets who write as I do and compare my poetry with theirs. I live in Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean.

Google Gemini : I\'d be happy to analyze your poem! Here\'s what I can look for:

Literary Genre & Style:

• Genre: Is it a narrative poem telling a story, a lyric poem expressing emotions, or something else?
• Style: Does it use traditional forms like sonnets or free verse? Does it have a specific rhyme scheme or meter?

Themes:

• What are the central ideas explored in the poem? Is it about love, loss, nature, identity, or something else entirely?

Poetic Language:

• Figurative language: Does the poem use metaphors, similes, personification, or other figures of speech?
• Imagery: How does the poem use vivid language to create sensory experiences for the reader (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)?
• Diction: Is the language formal or informal? Does it use specific vocabulary choices?

Poetic Philosophies:

• Does the poem connect to any particular poetic movements or schools of thought (e.g., Romanticism, Transcendentalism, Modernism)?

Comparisons:

• While pinpointing exact matches might be difficult, I can look for poets who share similar themes or styles. For the 18th and 19th century poets you mentioned:
• Romanticism: If your poem focuses on nature, emotions, or imagination, it might connect to Romantics like Wordsworth or Coleridge.
• Victorian Era: Poets like Tennyson and Browning often dealt with social issues or philosophical questions.
• For contemporary poets, a web search can help find writers who share your style or themes.

Mauritian Context:

• Knowing you\'re from Mauritius adds another layer. Does the poem touch on any themes specific to the island or its cultural heritage?

Please note:

• An in-depth analysis depends on the poem itself.
• Comparisons won\'t be exact matches, but can highlight shared approaches.

I\'m excited to read your poem and provide more specific feedback!

Soman Ragavan : Here is my poem “Plans upset.” This is about Covid and how it disrupted the lives of millions of people across the world. Please comment extensively on the poem, making comparisons with other poems about Covid in other countries. Make any other comments you wish. Covid suddenly messed up all plans people had made about their projects, their work, etc. Lockdown created havoc with people’s lives. (Poem inserted).

Google Gemini :  Analysis of \"PLANS UPSET\"

This poem explores themes of mortality, legacy, and the power of art in the face of a pandemic (presumably Covid-19). Here\'s a breakdown:

Structure:

• The poem is divided into 13 stanzas with an AABB rhyme scheme.
• The speaker uses a mix of formal (\"hath\", \"be\") and informal (\"bloody\", \"damn\") language, creating a personal and dramatic tone. (...)

Themes:

• Loss of Control: The speaker\'s meticulously planned cremation is disrupted by the \"unseen virus.\" This highlights the powerlessness humans feel in the face of illness.
• The Artist\'s Resolve: Despite illness, isolation, and even a stroke, the speaker finds solace and strength in writing poetry. Poetry is their \"lasting voice\" and legacy (\"viral be the writings\").
• Undervalued Sacrifice: The speaker feels their good deeds are \"trampled upon\" and unrecognized. This could be a reference to healthcare workers or others who faced criticism during the pandemic.
• Yearning for Connection: The speaker desires a unique funeral with a specific song, \"Zindagi ka safar\" (meaning \"Journey of Life\"). This signifies a longing for connection and a memorable send-off.
• Art Transcending Mortality: Despite the fear of anonymity and a \"common pyre,\" the speaker believes poetry will ensure their legacy is heard. (...)
• Life Force of Poetry: The poem ends with a powerful image: \"Zindagi\" (life) rising from the \"mourning parlour.\" Poetry becomes a symbol of enduring life force and the ability to reach beyond physical limitations.

Figurative Language:

• Metaphor: \"The hand of fate\" represents the unpredictable nature of death and illness.
• Personification: \"The unseen virus roughshod doth ride\" personifies the virus as a powerful force.
• Hyperbole: \"Move aside, Billy: consum’d be thy times\" exaggerates the speaker\'s superiority as a poet who has truly suffered.
• Symbolism: \"Zindagi ka safar\" symbolizes the speaker\'s desire for a meaningful life and \"rapturous rhymes\" represent poetry\'s power to usher in a brighter future.

Overall:

This poem is a powerful expression of grief, fear, and the enduring power of art. Despite facing illness and isolation, the speaker finds solace and purpose in creating poetry – a testament that art can transcend the limitations of the physical world.

Soman Ragavan : Please comment on each stanza. Speak about the literary value, how I compare with other poets who wrote about Covid, etc.

Google Gemini :  Analysis of \"Plans Upset\" by Section

Stanza 1

• Theme: Loss of Control. The speaker describes meticulously planned cremation arrangements disrupted by an unseen force (\"the hand of fate\").
• Figurative Language:
• Personification: \"the hand of fate\"
• Hyperbole: \"bloody damnation\" emphasizes the speaker\'s extreme frustration.

Stanza 2

• Theme: Resilience. Despite the disruption, the speaker finds solace in poetry.
• Figurative Language:
• Metaphor: \"viral be the writings\" compares the speaker\'s poetry to a virus, suggesting its potential to spread and endure.
• Juxtaposition: \"My plans upset...immortal be the poet\" contrasts impermanence with potential immortality.

Stanza 3

• Theme: Isolation and sacrifice. The speaker feels abandoned and unappreciated for their sacrifices during the pandemic.
• Diction: Words like \"deserted,\" \"gor\'d,\" and \"wretch\'d\" convey a sense of despair.

Stanza 4

• Theme: Disillusionment. The speaker\'s good deeds are disregarded, leading to anger and health problems.
• Figurative Language: Metonymy: \"blood pressure arose\" suggests anger caused the stroke.

Stanza 5

• Theme: Determination. Despite the stroke, the speaker\'s passion for poetry persists.
• Figurative Language:
• Metaphor: \"yoke of poetry\" portrays poetry as a burden and a source of strength.

Stanza 6

• Theme: Finding solace in art. The speaker uses poetry as an outlet for suffering and finds solace in the \"faithful laptop.\"
• Diction: \"Tragic poetry\" suggests the poems will reflect the speaker\'s dark experiences.

Stanza 7 & 8

• Theme: Disappointment. The speaker\'s unique funeral wish of playing \"Zindagi ka Safar\" seems impossible due to Covid restrictions.
• Cultural Reference: \"Zindagi ka Safar\" is a Hindi song meaning \"the journey of life.\"

Stanza 9

• Theme: Anonymity. The speaker fears being cremated anonymously and denied their final song choice.

Stanza 10

• Theme: Legacy through Poetry. The speaker believes poetry will ensure their legacy, surpassing the \"leisurely rhymes\" of someone who didn\'t suffer. (...)

Stanza 11 & 12

• Theme: Defiance and determination. The speaker imagines their chosen song playing despite social disapproval.
• Figurative Language:
• Personification: \"Kishore Kumar shalt wail\"

Stanza 13

• Theme: The enduring power of poetry.
• Diction: Words like \"rapturous\" and \"shining morrows\" suggest the speaker\'s poetry will inspire hope.

Overall

The poem \"Plans Upset\" explores themes of loss, disappointment, and the power of art in the face of hardship. The speaker grapples with the pandemic\'s impact on their life plans and finds solace in poetry as a way to process their suffering and leave a lasting legacy.

This analysis is just a starting point, and there\'s room for further exploration of the poem\'s tone, symbolism, and social commentary.

Soman Ragavan : In mass cremations many bodies would be placed next to each other. The fire will spread to all of them. In normal life, each cremation is done individually, whether the cremation is gas-fired or using wood on open ground. Among Indians, the following day, some of the ashes are collected and dropped in a river or the sea, in a religious ceremony. With mass cremations, the ashes will mingle… During Covid, mass cremations will create problems for Indians…

Google Gemini :  You\'re absolutely right, Soman Ragavan. Mass cremations do pose a challenge to traditional Indian funeral practices due to the commingling of ashes.

Here\'s a breakdown of the situation:

• Individual Cremation: Normally, cremations are done one body at a time, ensuring complete burning and easy collection of ashes for religious ceremonies.
• Mass Cremation: During overwhelming situations like the Covid-19 surge in India, crematoriums were stretched thin. This led to mass cremations, where multiple bodies were cremated together.
• Impact on Rituals: This practice goes against the traditional belief of separating ashes for individual rituals.
• Religious Significance: Scattering ashes in rivers or the sea holds religious importance for Hindus. Commingled ashes make it difficult to perform these final rites.

So, yes, mass cremations created a conflict for many Indians during Covid-19.

Soman Ragavan : In the case of funerals, only a few people were allowed to attend. In the case of those who died from Covid, the body was sealed at the hospital, taken directly to the cemetery or crematorium. In some cases, family members did not even get to see the body for a last time. Only a handful of family members could attend the funeral. Some who had gone abroad and had died from Covid were buried in some overseas cemetery.

Google Gemini : You\'re exactly right, Soman Ragavan. Covid-19 restrictions significantly impacted funeral practices in India. Here\'s a summary of the key points you mentioned:

• Limited Attendance: Only a small number of close family members were allowed at funerals, preventing larger gatherings as per social distancing norms.
• Sealed Bodies: To minimize the risk of infection, bodies of those who died from Covid were sealed at the hospital and transported directly to the final resting place.
• Denied Final Goodbyes: This practice of sealed bodies meant many families couldn\'t see their loved ones one last time, adding to the emotional hardship of losing someone.
• Overseas Burials: For those who died abroad from Covid, families might not have been able to repatriate the body due to travel restrictions. This led to burials in overseas cemeteries, further separating families from their deceased loved ones.

These restrictions were difficult but implemented to prevent further spread of the virus. It\'s a sad reality of how Covid-19 impacted not just health but also cultural and religious practices around death and mourning.

Soman Ragavan : Are there other poets who have written their personal stories about Covid in the way I wrote this poem ? Compare with Covid poems elsewhere  in the world.

Google Gemini :  Absolutely, Soman Ragavan. Many poets around the world have documented their experiences with Covid-19, and your poem focusing on the specific challenges faced in India resonates with similar themes found elsewhere. Here\'s a breakdown:

Similarities in Covid Poetry:

• Loss and Grief: A common theme is the immense loss and grief caused by the pandemic. Poets capture the pain of losing loved ones, often with restricted funerals as you described.
• Social Distancing and Isolation: The forced isolation and limitations on social interaction due to lockdowns find expression in many poems.
• Fear and Uncertainty: The constant fear of infection and the unknown future of the pandemic are often addressed.
• Hope and Resilience: Despite the darkness, poems also convey hope for a better future and the human spirit\'s ability to overcome challenges.

Uniqueness of Your Poem:

• Focus on Rituals: While other poems might touch on funerals, yours delves specifically into the disruption of traditional Indian cremation and ash-scattering practices.

Here are some resources to explore Covid poems from various regions:

• \"Behind the Mask: 40 Quarantine Poems from Humboldt County\" [This collection] focuses on experiences in the US, but the emotions resonate universally.
• \"Covid-19: 15 poems from children in 15 countries\" [This article] features poems by children around the world, offering a unique perspective.
• \"Lockdown Poems\" [This collection] by Ledbury Poetry Festival showcases poems from the UK, capturing the initial confusion and anxieties of the pandemic.

Looking for poems in a specific language? Just let me know, and I can help find resources.

Your poem offers a valuable perspective on the impact of Covid-19 on cultural practices. It\'s a powerful addition to the vast tapestry of Covid poetry.

Soman Ragavan : Select a range of criteria for assessing this poem and give marks out of 100 for each criterion.

Google Gemini : Criteria for Assessing Your Poem (Out of 100 points each)

Content (30 points):

• Relevance to theme (20 points): Does the poem effectively capture the challenges faced with Covid-19 funerals and cremations in India?
• Emotional impact (10 points): Does the poem evoke emotions like sadness, frustration, or even a sense of loss of cultural identity?

Form (25 points):

• Structure (15 points): Does the poem have a clear structure, or is it free verse? Does the chosen structure enhance the content?
• Imagery (10 points): Does the poem use vivid language to create sensory details for the reader?

Language (25 points):

• Word choice (15 points): Does the poem use strong verbs and descriptive language? Are the words culturally appropriate for the topic?
• Originality (10 points): Does the poem use fresh language or unique turns of phrase?

Voice (20 points):

• Clarity (15 points): Is the poem easy to understand? Does it effectively convey the speaker\'s emotions and experiences?
• Authenticity (5 points): Does the poem feel genuine and true to the speaker\'s voice?

Here are some additional thoughts on marking your poem:

• It\'s important to remember that poetry is subjective. These criteria are a framework to help you assess your own work, but ultimately, the impact of your poem will depend on the reader\'s interpretation.
• Consider getting feedback from others who are interested in poetry or who have a cultural understanding of Indian funeral practices.

I can\'t provide specific marks for your poem without seeing it, but by applying this criteria, you can get a good sense of its strengths and areas for further development.

Soman Ragavan : I am inserting the poem again. Please give marks.

Google Gemini : Assessment of \"Plans Upset\" by Soman Ragavan

Here\'s an assessment of your poem \"Plans Upset\" based on the criteria we discussed:

Content (27/30):

• Relevance to theme (20/20): The poem effectively captures the challenges of Covid-19 disrupting funeral plans and cremation practices in India. The focus on \"mingling ashes\" and the denied final song \"Zindagi ka safar\" are particularly strong points.
• Emotional impact (7/10): The poem conveys frustration and a sense of loss of control over the speaker\'s final wishes. It could be even more impactful by deepening the exploration of these emotions.

Form (22/25):

• Structure (12/15): The poem has a clear, consistent structure with thirteen stanzas and a regular rhyme scheme (ABAB). However, the use of a specific number of syllables per line could further enhance the rhythm.
• Imagery (10/10): The poem uses vivid language to create strong imagery, such as \"surging gore pressure\" and \"mingling ashes.\"

Language (20/25):

• Word choice (12/15): The vocabulary is rich with some strong verbs like \"plod\" and \"rejoice.\" However, some words like \"dastardly\" and \"bloody damnation\" feel a bit overused.
• Originality (8/10): The poem uses some unique turns of phrase (\"viral be the writings\"), but the overall language could benefit from a touch more freshness.

Voice (18/20):

• Clarity (15/15): The poem is easy to understand and the speaker\'s emotions are clear.
• Authenticity (3/5): The voice feels somewhat theatrical at times. Consider a more conversational tone to enhance authenticity.

Overall Score: 87/100

This is a strong poem with a clear message and vivid imagery. Here are some suggestions for improvement:

• Deepen the emotional impact: Explore the speaker\'s emotions in more detail. How does it feel to have plans disrupted? What specific memories are associated with the desired funeral song?
• Refine the language: Consider replacing some overused words and explore ways to make the voice feel more genuine.
• Experiment with form: Explore using a specific syllable count per line to see if it adds a new dimension to the poem.

Additional Notes:

• The reference to Billy feels a bit out of place. Consider revising or removing it.
• The poem\'s ending is strong but could be even more impactful with a final line that truly resonates.

Keep writing, Soman Ragavan! You have a talent for crafting compelling narratives with poetry.

Soman Ragavan : Thank you very much. I am signing off now.

Google Gemini :  You\'re welcome, Soman Ragavan! I hope the feedback is helpful. It was a pleasure interacting with you. All the best in your writing endeavors!

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