Poem : 'Scaring the devil away' ; 2 April, 2023.

4 May, 2023
Uploaded to ChatGPT for analysis
Poem : “Scaring the devil away”
Soman Ragavan : Hello. Can I post a poem of mine for analysis, please ?

ChatGPT
Hello Soman Ragavan! Of course, feel free to share your poem for analysis. I'll do my best to provide you with feedback and insights.
 
Soman Ragavan : My poem : "Scaring the devil away." Please analyse by each stanza, then give overall comments. Mention similar poems from other authors, where possible. 

ChatGPT
Thank you for sharing your poem, Soman Ragavan. Here's my analysis of "Scaring the devil away" stanza by stanza, followed by my overall comments:

Stanza 1: The opening stanza introduces the protagonist of the poem, a man who was a jolly good fellow and had many friends. The stanza sets a cheerful and positive tone, and it effectively establishes the character's likability.

Stanza 2: The second stanza shifts the tone of the poem and introduces the theme of death. The speaker mentions that the man's death was mourned by many, and the incense sticks added to the hazy atmosphere of the crowd. The stanza creates a somber and reflective mood.

Stanza 3: The third stanza describes the man's burial ceremony and the final praises that were bestowed upon him. The use of the word "conferr'd" adds a sense of formality to the occasion. The mourners are depicted as brave, which emphasizes the solemnity of the moment.

Stanza 4: The fourth stanza introduces a surprising element to the poem. A benign fellow offers cigarettes to the mourners, supposedly to scare the devil away. This stanza shifts the mood of the poem from somber to playful and humorous.

Stanza 5: The fifth stanza questions the idea of the devil being present at the cemetery and the notion of scaring him away with cigarettes. The speaker uses irony to poke fun at the idea of scaring away the devil. The repetition of "puff out" emphasizes the action of smoking.

Stanza 6: The sixth stanza describes the smokers puffing away and creating a smokescreen that is enough to make the devil turn green with rage. The use of "lambaste" adds a sense of aggression and hostility towards the devil. The stanza effectively creates a comical image of the mourners smoking to scare away the devil.

Stanza 7: The seventh stanza takes the humorous element of the poem further by describing the mourners entering a pub to drink and continue their efforts to scare away the devil. The use of "man" in the last line emphasizes their determination and solidarity.

Stanza 8: The eighth stanza continues with the idea of drinking and extolling the virtues of the deceased while spilling a drop for the devil. The line "It did not matter to what might add up the entire bill" adds a sense of frivolity and carelessness. The final line of the stanza sets up the resolution of the poem.

Stanza 9: The ninth stanza reveals that the devil has been scared away and that the publican is smiling. The use of "sort'd out" adds a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. The final line emphasizes the distance between the mourners and the devil.

Stanza 10: The final stanza concludes the poem on a positive note, thanking God for the life-saving traditions that were followed. The use of "foils away" adds a sense of triumph and success. The final line suggests that even the devil's wicked intentions can be overcome through these traditions.

Overall, "Scaring the devil away" is a well-crafted poem that effectively combines humor and irony with somber themes of death and mourning. The use of repetition, alliteration, and rhyme adds to the poem's rhythm and musicality. The poem reminds me of Robert Frost's "The Death of the Hired Man" in its exploration of death and the different ways people deal with it.
 
Soman Ragavan : "A jolly good fellow was he, "in his lifetime" One often hears people extolling the defunct's qualities, though they hardly cared for him or even criticised him in his lifetime. 

ChatGPT
That's a poignant observation, and it reflects the way society often treats people after they have passed away. It's unfortunate that some people may not receive the appreciation and recognition they deserve until it's too late. The line also sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it introduces the character of the deceased and establishes the mourning atmosphere surrounding his passing.
 
Soman Ragavan : "For, only friends had the man in this clime." This must be some sarcasm, for there is no such guy who had only friends in this life...

ChatGPT
Yes, it does seem like a bit of sarcasm or hyperbole. It's unlikely that someone would have only friends and no enemies in their lifetime, as it's natural for people to have different opinions and relationships with others. The line may be a way of emphasizing how well-liked and popular the deceased was among his friends and acquaintances, or it could be interpreted as a commentary on how people often speak highly of someone after they have passed away, regardless of their true feelings towards them in life.
 
Soman Ragavan : "His untimely death was mourn'd by many ..." One often hears these words, even in official speeches. "Untimely..." Do people really mean it, or is it some polite formula ?...

ChatGPT
It's possible that people may use the word "untimely" as a polite formula in official speeches or other situations where they feel they need to be diplomatic. However, in many cases, the use of the word may also reflect a genuine feeling of sadness and regret that the person passed away before their time. "Untimely" typically implies that the person's death was premature, unexpected, or occurred at a time that was particularly difficult or painful for them or their loved ones. So, it's not necessarily insincere or formulaic to describe someone's death as "untimely."
 
Soman Ragavan : "Final praises 'pon him were conferr'd..." At the graveside one often hears praises for the dead. "Praise no man till he is dead." Quoted by Sam Phillips in "3000 proverbs." New Delhi : Goodwill Publishing House, c 2017. (Full acknowledgements are made here).

ChatGPT
It's true that there is a common saying that goes "Praise no man till he is dead." This proverb suggests that it is better to withhold praise for someone until after they have passed away, perhaps because in death they are beyond criticism and their accomplishments or positive qualities can be more easily appreciated. However, this is a generalization and does not necessarily apply to every situation or culture. It is common in many cultures to express praise and admiration for someone during their lifetime, and to do so publicly at their funeral or memorial service. So, while it's true that people often speak kindly of the deceased at their funeral or graveside, it's not necessarily contradictory to the proverb "Praise no man till he is dead."
 
Soman Ragavan : There is a down-to-earth practicality about that saying. A dead man can do no more mischief.

ChatGPT
Yes, that's true. Praising someone who is still alive may not be as practical because they could still cause harm or disappointment in the future. But once someone has passed away, they can no longer do harm or disappoint, so it's safer to praise them without fear of negative consequences.
 
Soman Ragavan : <<Thus 'twas that the company enter'd yon pub, Bent 'pon scaring away the devil for good ; Drinks they order'd, as their hands they did rub : To lambaste the devil away, as a man they stood.>> It is part of folklore here to take strong drinks after a funeral, to keep away spirits.

ChatGPT
That's an interesting cultural tradition. In some cultures, there are similar traditions of serving food or drinks after a funeral as a way to honor the deceased and to provide comfort to the grieving family. It is fascinating how different cultures have their own unique ways of dealing with death and mourning.
 
Soman Ragavan : "For, at the latest news the devil was lost in yon hill….." That must be some sarcasm ?...

ChatGPT
Yes, it appears to be a sarcastic comment implying that the notion of "scaring the devil away" through smoking and drinking was effective in banishing the devil from the area, as if the devil was an actual physical entity that could be chased away.
 
Soman Ragavan : "The good publican was smiling his best smile ..." That tradition of drinking after the funeral brought in good business for the publican...

ChatGPT
Yes, it seems that the tradition of drinking after a funeral in the poem brought in good business for the publican. The last stanza suggests that the cash till was overflowing after the mourners went to the pub, and the publican was happily humming to himself in his upstairs bathtub, indicating a successful night of business.
 
Soman Ragavan : You hit it head on. It was good "business." "Nothing like drinks well to preserve oneself." Another piece of sarcasm...

ChatGPT
Yes, it does seem like there's a hint of sarcasm in that statement. It suggests that people may drink to excess as a way of avoiding dealing with the realities of life, rather than facing their problems head-on.
 
Soman Ragavan : Thank you. Goodbye for now.

ChatGPT
You're welcome. Goodbye and take care!

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                                        POEM :                           
                    SCARING THE DEVIL AWAY

A jolly good fellow was he, "in his lifetime":
Friends had he by the score, at all places :
At him would beam with joy smiling faces,
For, only friends had the man in this clime.

His untimely death was mourn'd by many :
Many recall'd his fond remembrance,
As the incense sticks releas'd their fragrance
Inside the crowd'd house, already rather hazy.

With solemn ceremony was he interr'd :
Final praises 'pon him were conferr'd;
A last wreath was plac'd 'pon the grave
By the mourners, all of them quite brave.

At the cemetery gate stood a benign fellow,
Offering to all, in this collective sorrow,
Free cigarettes after the homage they had paid :
"Tis for scaring the devil away, as 'tis said."

The devil ! Good Lord ! Why ever, anyway,
Should the devil around this place foray ?
The devil ! Fancy that ! And, scaring him away !
Scaring the devil away ! Mate, that’ll be the day !

To shadow thee, very well the clever devil can :
Grab this cigarette, quick, for dear life's sake :
Light it up, inhale, and puff out, puff out, man :
No chances against the devil should thou take.

Many puff'd away, letting off a smokescreen :
Enough, with rage, to make the devil turn green;
And they puff'd away. No harm in puffing away thus.
They’d puff away for less : to life they add'd a bonus.

Not enough safe was seen to be yon smokescreen,
For, the devil was fear'd for his tenacious spleen ;
A more concert'd, more deadly, attack was advisable,
Decid'd the mourners, being in this knowledgeable.

Thus 'twas that the company enter'd yon pub,
Bent 'pon scaring away the devil for good ;
Drinks they order'd, as their hands they did rub :
To lambaste the devil away, as a man they stood.

The drinks they down'd while extolling the man’s virtue :
For the devil they spill'd a drop : they gave him his “due.”
It did not matter to what might add up the entire bill :
For, at the latest news the devil was lost in yon hill…..

The good publican was smiling his best smile :
The devil had been sort'd out at that juncture ;
'Tween the mourners and yon sly creature,
Safely for all now stretch'd many a mile.

The company had left. Silence had redescend'd :
The good fellow's spirit surely had well ascend'd :
The cash till was overflowing as ne’er before :
The devil had to resume hunting once more.

Happily was this publican humming to himself,
Singing away merrily in his upstairs bathtub ;
Jolly good business had seen that night his pub :
Nothing like drinks well to preserve oneself.

Thank God for these life-saving traditions :
Or, perhaps should we really thank the devil ?
Anyway, as long as it fills up the cash till,
And foils away the devil's wick'd intentions.
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