Title of the poem
The poem "If It Is True" by Richard Ntiru suggests a contemplation on the perceived excesses of the world in terms of communication, observation, listening, and movement. The title implies a conditional exploration of these truths and proposes a counteraction – advocating moments of stillness, silence, closed eyes, and selective hearing to discover a deeper, more genuine understanding that transcends the noise and distractions of the external world. The speaker appears to celebrate the honesty and purity found in silence, inner vision, inner music, and immobility, drawing contrasts with the potential deceit, superficiality, and restlessness associated with excessive worldly engagements.
Themes of the poem
The poem "If It Is True" explores several interconnected themes:
1. **Silence and Reflection:** The poem encourages a contemplative silence, suggesting that by quieting external influences, one can better hear and understand inner thoughts and truths.
2. **Perception and Inner Vision:** The contrast between seeing too much in the world and closing one's eyes to focus on inner vision highlights the idea that true understanding often lies beneath the surface of observable reality.
3. **Selective Listening:** The poem advocates for selective hearing, promoting an intentional focus on the purity of inner music while shutting out the potential distortions and betrayals of external noise.
4. **Stability and Stillness:** The comparison with trees, which move without being peripatetic, suggests that stability and stillness can convey a sense of strength and resilience.
5. **Honesty and Integrity:** The final lines imply that those who don't communicate with words, see superficially, listen to external distractions, or move excessively may possess a certain purity and honesty. The poem seems to celebrate the sincerity found in limitations and contrasts it with the potential for deceit in more active engagement with the world.
Overall, the themes in the poem revolve around finding authenticity, truth, and deeper understanding by turning inward and minimizing the external influences that often lead to noise and distraction.
Tone and Mood of the poem
**Tone:** The tone of the poem "If It Is True" by Richard Ntiru is contemplative and reflective. The speaker engages in a thoughtful exploration of the world's excesses and proposes a contemplative counteraction. There's a sense of earnestness in the tone, as the speaker encourages a reevaluation of how individuals interact with the world. The use of conditional statements, such as "If it is true," adds a measured and reflective quality to the overall tone.
**Mood:** The mood of the poem is introspective and tranquil. As the speaker suggests moments of silence, closed eyes, and selective hearing, there's a mood of calm contemplation. The imagery of trees standing statuestill and the emphasis on the eloquence of silence create a serene atmosphere. Despite addressing potential issues in the world, the poem maintains a mood of quiet reflection, inviting readers to consider the virtues of stillness and inner contemplation.
Imagery of the poem
The poem "If It Is True" by Richard Ntiru incorporates vivid imagery to convey its themes. Here are some instances of imagery in the poem:
1. **"hear the eloquence of silence":** This phrase creates an image of silence being portrayed as eloquent, suggesting that there is profound meaning in quietness.
2. **"see the inner vision beneath the closed eyes":** The imagery here suggests looking beyond the physical act of seeing, encouraging the reader to envision something deeper within themselves.
3. **"listen to the chastity of inner music":** The use of "chastity" and "inner music" creates a sensory image, implying a pure and untainted quality to the inner thoughts and sounds.
4. **"imitate the stubborn will of trees":** This metaphorical imagery of trees having a "stubborn will" portrays them as steadfast and unwavering, suggesting stability and resilience.
5. **"move without being peripatetic":** This phrase creates an image of trees moving without being overly wandering, emphasizing a controlled and purposeful kind of movement.
6. **"the wayward wind":** This expression paints a picture of the wind as being unpredictable or deviating from a set path, reinforcing the idea of embracing a more steadfast and reliable existence.
These images contribute to the overall contemplative and serene atmosphere of the poem, inviting readers to visualize and connect with the speaker's reflections on stillness, silence, and inner contemplation.
Symbolism of the poem
The poem "If It Is True" by Richard Ntiru employs various symbols to convey its deeper meanings and themes:
1. **Silence:** Silence is symbolized as a source of eloquence and wisdom. It represents a space where profound truths can be heard and understood, contrasting with the noise and chatter of the external world.
2. **Closed Eyes:** Closing one's eyes symbolizes looking inward, beyond the surface. It suggests a shift from external observation to inner vision, emphasizing the importance of introspection and self-discovery.
3. **Inner Vision:** The concept of inner vision symbolizes a deeper, intuitive understanding that goes beyond what is immediately visible. It encourages looking beyond the superficial to grasp profound truths.
4. **Inner Music:** The idea of listening to the chastity of inner music symbolizes a pure and authentic form of communication or self-expression that exists within, untouched by external influences.
5. **Trees:** Trees symbolize stability, strength, and resilience. The mention of imitating the "stubborn will of trees" suggests adopting a steadfast and unwavering approach to life.
6. **Dumb, Blind, Deaf, Crippled:** These conditions symbolize limitations, but the poem suggests that within these limitations, there is a certain purity and inability to engage in deception, superficiality, or trespassing.
7. **Peripatetic Movement of Trees:** The contrast between movement and being peripatetic symbolizes purposeful, intentional action versus aimless wandering. It suggests that movement can be meaningful and purposeful without being scattered or directionless.
Each of these symbols contributes to the overall message of the poem, encouraging a contemplative and intentional approach to life by turning inward and embracing qualities associated with silence, inner vision, and steadfastness.
Metaphors and similes
The poem "If It Is True" by Richard Ntiru employs metaphors and similes to convey its ideas:
1. **Metaphor:** "hear the eloquence / of silence"
- In this metaphor, silence is portrayed as eloquent, suggesting that there is meaningful communication in the absence of words.
2. **Metaphor:** "see the inner vision / beneath the closed eyes"
- The closed eyes serve as a metaphor for looking beyond the surface, encouraging the reader to perceive a deeper, inner vision.
3. **Simile:** "and imitate the stubborn will / of trees"
- The comparison of human behavior to the stubborn will of trees is a simile, illustrating the idea that one can emulate the steadfast and unwavering qualities of trees.
4. **Metaphor:** "listen to the chastity / of inner music"
- The phrase "chastity of inner music" uses metaphor to represent a pure and untainted form of internal expression or communication.
5. **Metaphor:** "move without being peripatetic"
- Describing movement without being peripatetic (wandering) is a metaphor for purposeful and intentional motion, suggesting that one can move without being aimless.
6. **Metaphor:** "the wayward wind"
- The wind being described as "wayward" is a metaphor, portraying it as unpredictable or deviating from a defined path.
These figurative language elements enhance the poem's imagery and contribute to the overall contemplative and symbolic nature of the verses.
Language and diction
The language and diction in "If It Is True" by Richard Ntiru are carefully chosen to convey a contemplative and reflective tone. Here are some aspects of the language and diction:
1. **Formal Tone:** The language used throughout the poem maintains a formal and measured tone. The speaker engages in a serious contemplation of life and human behavior.
2. **Conditional Statements:** The use of conditional statements, such as "If it is true," adds a thoughtful and reflective quality to the language. It introduces a sense of speculation and invites readers to consider the validity of the presented ideas.
3. **Elevated Vocabulary:** The poem includes words and phrases like "eloquence," "chastity," and "peripatetic," contributing to a more sophisticated and elevated style. These choices of words add depth to the contemplative atmosphere.
4. **Symbolic Language:** The poet employs symbolic language, using words like "silence," "closed eyes," "inner vision," and "inner music" to convey deeper meanings beyond their literal interpretations.
5. **Alliteration:** The repetition of consonant sounds in phrases like "silence" and "see the inner vision" adds a rhythmic quality to the language, enhancing the poem's overall flow.
6. **Metaphorical Expressions:** The poem is rich in metaphorical expressions, comparing silence to eloquence, closed eyes to inner vision, and human behavior to the will of trees. These metaphors contribute to the depth and imagery of the verses.
Overall, the language and diction in the poem create a nuanced and contemplative atmosphere, inviting readers to delve into the symbolic and reflective nature of the speaker's thoughts on stillness, perception, and authenticity.
Structure of the poem
The structure of "If It Is True" by Richard Ntiru follows a consistent pattern throughout its four stanzas, each presenting a distinct thematic focus. Here are the structural elements of the poem:
1. **Stanzas:** The poem is divided into four stanzas, each comprising four lines. This consistent structure provides a balanced and organized presentation of the speaker's reflections.
2. **Repetition:** The use of the phrase "If it is true" is repeated at the beginning of each stanza, establishing a rhythmic pattern and emphasizing the conditional nature of the speaker's contemplation.
3. **Parallelism:** Each stanza follows a similar structure, presenting a conditional statement about the world's tendencies, followed by a suggestion for a counteraction or alternative perspective. This parallelism contributes to the overall cohesion of the poem.
4. **Logical Progression:** The poem follows a logical progression of ideas. It begins by addressing the world's tendencies to talk, see, hear, and move too much, and then proposes corresponding actions to counteract these tendencies—keeping quiet, closing eyes, waxing ears, and standing statuestill.
5. **Symbolic Placement:** The poem's structure places emphasis on specific themes within each stanza. The first stanza introduces the theme of talking, the second focuses on seeing, the third on hearing, and the fourth on movement. This thematic organization contributes to the poem's coherence.
6. **Imagery and Symbolism:** Each stanza incorporates vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the speaker's contemplative thoughts. These images contribute to the thematic exploration and overall impact of the poem.
In summary, the structure of "If It Is True" is characterized by its organized stanzas, repetition, parallelism, logical progression, and thematic focus. These structural elements work together to convey the speaker's reflections on aspects of the world and the proposed contemplative responses.
Sound and rhythm
The sound and rhythm of "If It Is True" contribute to its overall contemplative and measured tone. Here are some aspects of the poem's sound and rhythm:
1. **Repetition:** The repetition of the phrase "If it is true" at the beginning of each stanza creates a rhythmic pattern. This repetition not only emphasizes the conditional nature of the speaker's reflections but also contributes to the poem's musicality.
2. **Alliteration:** The poem includes instances of alliteration, where consonant sounds are repeated. For example, in the first stanza, there's the alliteration in "talks too much" and "let’s all keep quiet," enhancing the rhythmic quality.
3. **Assonance and Consonance:** The use of similar vowel sounds (assonance) and consonant sounds (consonance) in phrases like "hear the eloquence" and "inner vision" adds a pleasing and rhythmic quality to the language.
4. **Parallelism:** The parallel structure of the stanzas contributes to a rhythmic flow. Each stanza presents a conditional statement followed by a proposed action, creating a pattern that adds to the poem's musicality.
5. **Syllabic Consistency:** The poem maintains a relatively consistent syllabic structure within each line, contributing to a balanced rhythm. This consistency adds a sense of order to the verses.
6. **Enjambment:** The poem uses enjambment, where sentences and ideas flow from one line to the next without a pause. This technique contributes to a smooth and continuous rhythm, allowing ideas to unfold seamlessly.
7. **Meter:** While the poem doesn't strictly adhere to a specific meter, there is a rhythmic flow created by the combination of the aforementioned elements. The measured and contemplative tone is maintained throughout.
Overall, the sound and rhythm of the poem work together to enhance its reflective and contemplative atmosphere, inviting readers to engage with the speaker's thoughtful exploration of silence, vision, listening, and movement.
Syntax
The syntax in "If It Is True" by Richard Ntiru is characterized by a clear and formal structure. Here are some features of the syntax:
1. **Parallel Structure:** The poem employs a parallel structure, with each stanza presenting a similar grammatical pattern. The repetition of the phrase "If it is true" at the beginning of each stanza reinforces this parallelism.
2. **Conditional Statements:** The poem is structured around conditional statements, setting up hypothetical scenarios and suggesting corresponding actions. This conditional syntax adds a contemplative and speculative quality to the verses.
3. **Descriptive Language:** The syntax includes descriptive language that vividly portrays the speaker's reflections. Phrases like "hear the eloquence," "see the inner vision," and "listen to the chastity" contribute to the imagery and enhance the overall syntax.
4. **Inversion:** There are instances of inversion, where the usual word order is reversed for emphasis or poetic effect. For example, "let’s all keep quiet" employs inversion for rhetorical impact.
5. **Use of Commas:** Commas are strategically used to create pauses and contribute to the rhythmic flow of the poem. They help guide the reader through the speaker's contemplative statements.
6. **Balanced Phrasing:** The syntax often presents balanced phrasing, where ideas are paired or contrasted for emphasis. This balanced structure adds to the overall organization and coherence of the poem.
7. **Varied Sentence Length:** While there is a general pattern of four-line stanzas, the syntax includes variations in sentence length. This variation contributes to the poem's flow and rhythm.
8. **Enjambment:** Enjambment is used to connect ideas between lines, allowing the thoughts to flow seamlessly. This technique contributes to the continuity of the speaker's reflections.
The syntax in "If It Is True" serves the purpose of conveying the speaker's contemplative and reflective tone, offering a structured framework for the exploration of silence, vision, listening, and movement.