I, Icarus by Alden Nowlan Dreams are the perfect worlds for everyone for dreams give us the probabilities to possess the goals we are craving for the we might be unable to have in reality. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a well-known German writer, artist, and politician, expresses his point of view about dreams: “Dream not any small dreams for they have no power to maneuver hearts of men”. Through “I, Icarus”- one of the poetry in the collection Bread, Wine and Salt by Alden Nowlan, we all readers will get to know his childhood’s vivid dream.
Alden Nowlan produces a impressive effect that leaves profound impressions in readers’ brains right at quick the composition with its name “I, Icarus”. As to my understanding, it refers to Ancient greek language myth which is about Icarus- the boy of the master craftsman. Icarus’s father made two pairs of wings from feathers and feel for the purpose of avoiding Crete, and in addition warned him not to take flight too nearby the sun. Neglecting his dad’s caution, Icarus attempted to reach the sun, which in turn resulted the wax to melt and cost him his personal life.
Throughout the title’s meaning and Nowlan’s act of putting “I” in front of the brand “Icarus”, visitors get some ideas that this composition might be one more story of catastrophic land caused by over-ambition. After a few first times reading “I, Icarus”, viewers might superficially interpret the meaning to be of a flying wish, yet if we dig much deeper, we will be able to comprehend the yearning to achieve a superior dimensions of Nowland. As a matter of fact, Alden Nowland came to be in a small community in Nova Scotia, the constrictions acquired influenced him to engender the dream of breaking liberated to seek his own prospective customers.
Nowland shows back to his childhood and imagines having been flying beyond all the constraints that had been confining him. Although fictional factors play the primary role in all of poem, Nowland’s detailed description and firm assertion “There was a time when I may fly. My spouse and i swear it. “(1), “I rose slowly…toward the window” (9-12) possess thoroughly convinced readers that he may really fly. The metaphorical and symbolism has been employed intriguingly since an analogy to represent the life of Nowland’s the child years.
Like a soft sheep, Nowland is composed inside the boundary of the “pasture fence” (13), “the music of flutes” (16) is definitely played by the shepherd to lure and tell him to become satisfied with this confinement. On the other hand, the lamb himself is eager to continue an excursion to explore the mysterious space in back of “the dark, the haunted trees” (14), thus wants it could fly to drift “beyond the pasture” (15). To another degree, the imagery of the country does not simply indicate feelings of confinement, but also evokes detects of peacefulness and protect.
Even though Nowland , the “sheep” – has the thoughts of being restricted by the constrictions of this small town, it still brings back to him safety that protects him from the perils behind “the dark, the haunted trees” (14). Standing up outside Character, enjoying the harmonious songs of an Aeolian harp – “the music of the flutes” that “the wind made” (16- 17) falling equal together with “voices singing”, Nowland becomes intimate with Mother nature and his precious hometown.
Basically, “I, Icarus” has mirrored successfully Nowland’s complex thoughts and currents of thoughts, he treasures his superb ambitions to escape from limitations and check out a whole ” new world ” outside, but still be mounted on his familiar homeland which gives him serious protections and harmony. Relating the context of the whole poem to its own title “I, Icarus”, readers now realize that it’s not only a story about Nowland’s devastating fall because Icarus, nevertheless his amazing things whether this individual should be a risk-taker to pursue his think of reaching the sunshine or live a tranquil and ordinary life.
