An Analysis Of Stevie Smith's 'Not Waving But Drowning'
“Not Waving but Drowning.” In the midst of a good time any person, no matter how happy they may seem, could be fighting an inner turmoil and be crying out for help. Different aspects of Stevie Smith’s life are mirrored in many of the subjects in her poems. Stevie Smith’s early experience with loss and the lack of time to grieve properly not only affected her personal life, but also permeated her work such as in “Not Waving but Drowning” through her style of writing, chosen themes, and various perspectives.
Stevie Smith was born on the 20th of September in 1902 in Hull of Yorkshire in London, England as Florence Margaret Smith, later nicknamed Stevie after a friend compared her to a popular jockey Steve Donoghue. Stevie was born a weak and fragile baby, possibly due to her mother’s sickened condition at the time and was christened at home instead of at the church her sister Molly was christened at. Stevie’s parents were Ethel Rachel Spear and Charles Ward Smith. Not much is known of their relationship before or after the birth of their daughters. Charles wanted to go into the Navy, however, when his brother drowned
…show more content…
She finally was enrolled at Palmers Green High School. She quickly caught up with her studies but showed no enthusiasm for any subjects except music. During her music class she would randomly begin singing any melody that came to her head. She later was asked not to sing because she distracted the other girls. When Stevie turned sixteen her mother passed away possible due to heart failure. With her Aunt Lion’s love and support Stevie finished school. Stevie and her family had no money to send her to college so Stevie’s dream to become a journalist did not seem like a possibility. Luckily Molly had received a scholarship and the money she had left over went to Stevie to attend Mrs. Hoster’s Secretarial Training College in central
Maria De Martinez Biography
327 Words | 2 PagesMaria was a senior in high school. Her plans after high school was to go to lone star college to do 2 years of basics, then transfer to Sam Houston University. Maria was excited to graduate high school because she was going to be to be the first child of her family to get a high school diploma but also be the first one of her family to go to college. Maria had big dreams.
Lois Simmie Biography
1110 Words | 5 PagesBeing added to the Saskatchewan provincial curriculum within the first four years of being published is a measurement of proof demonstrating that her ambition was genius. Financial gain aside, Simmie would now and forever have peace of mind through knowing and having told Polly’s side of the story. Simmie’s diligence in writing had proved to be worthwhile. Today, in Saskatchewan, whenever a group of grade twelve students read The Secret Lives of John Wilson, Polly Wilson is resurrected and becomes the recipient of the so desperately needed sympathy and understanding that she yearned for at the
How Does Tracy K. Smith Create An Elegy In Life On Mars
1737 Words | 7 PagesThis poem is a representation of not only her immense grieving for her father, but how she used this low point in her life to evolve as an individual and make peace with her loss. Tracy K Smith’s poem
Carlina's Argumentative Essay
760 Words | 4 PagesValentina is a sophomore at John Caroll University in Cleveland where her dream is to become a doctor. Part of the family as well are the sister cats named Raf and Sofie, who are three years old. Carlina’s schooling years started off at Good Samaritan Preschool, followed by Highland Elementary and Ambridge Junior High, which led to her finally being able to attend the high school.
Villisca Murder Story
1189 Words | 5 PagesSarah was a member of the Presbyterian Church and ran the children's group. The eldest of their son, Herman, was often seen by his dad's side. The Daughter, Katherine was the one who was friends with the Stillinger Sisters. Boyd and Paul, the youngest boys, were very young at the time of their deaths, unfortunately. It just so happened that that night two of Katherine’s friends were also found murdered, Lena Stillinger and her sister Ina Stillinger, both coming from the church that the Moores went to that day.
The Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls Research Paper
874 Words | 4 Pages(247) Jeannette loved the job and loved the busy hours. Her and Lori then found an apartment which was bigger than Jeannette’s house back on Little Hobart Street. After they found an apartment to live in Jeannette found another job from an internship. It was where you go to school for jobs and internships instead of having actual classes. (248)
Symbolism In The Devil's Arithmetic
1096 Words | 5 PagesMany times people take things for granted. For example, we think since food is always provided to us we shouldn’t be thankful for it, or for pure drinking water or even for our freedom. Most of society receive this benefits, and we assume everybody gets them too, unfortunately that is not the case. Not all people can afford these privileges. We may not perceive them as that on the contrary, we think of them as needs, and fortunately for us we can afford to enjoy them.
A Piece Of Cake Analysis
549 Words | 3 PagesAt her nest foster home her foster father,used her for oral sex in trade for LSD and cocaine. After this incident she moved in with her great aunt in Los Angeles. During her stay she joined a gang at the age of 12. She almost died when he was shot in the back at the age of 16. After that she made the decision to leave the gang.
The Scholarship Jacket Short Story
712 Words | 3 PagesMarta Salinas’ realistic fiction story “The scholarship Jacket”, takes place at a small school in Texas. Martha, a straight A plus student, was finally in 8th grade, her year to receive the valedictorian jacket. There are many troubles leading up to Martha receiving the jacket, such as the teachers changing the policy to make her pay $15. This changed the meaning of the jacket because it was no longer a reward. Marta Salinas created the theme that hard work pays off, she displays this theme by showing how Martha feels with point of view, and foreshadowing.
Ella Fitzgerald Research Paper
1218 Words | 5 PagesShe soon escaped from the school and found herself living alone and without any money during the middle of the Great Depression. It is believed that Ella survived by singing on the streets, a far cry from the top venues she would soon be performing
Loss Of Innocence In My Antonia
667 Words | 3 PagesIn order to provide for the family, “Ambrosch hired his sister out like a man, and she went from farm to farm, binding sheaves or working with the thrashers,” Antonia selflessly sacrifices her dignity. Though at first responding indifferently to Jim’s question of going to school, saying “I ain’t got time to learn…School is alright for little boys. I help make this land one good farm.” Revealing her true desire for an education to Jim, Antonia asks him to tell her of all that he learned in school. The magnitude of Antonia’s altruism is great; therefore her abrupt transformation from self-sacrifice to self-absorption is astonishing.
Marxist Criticism In 'The Lesson'
723 Words | 3 PagesIn fact, as the author in this story, Toni Cade Bambara, Sylvia grew up in a very poor neighborhood. Sylvia’s understanding of the world is limited to what she experiences within her neighborhood and her tiny apartment. Scarcity and want are no strangers to her. Luckily, Sylvia and the other kids have Miss Moore as a mentor. Miss Moore begins to work within the kids’ environment to enrich them inasmuch as possible with education.
Listen To Your Heart Comparison
798 Words | 4 PagesRecently returning home from a special needs boarding school. Carla's family has no hope she will be self-sufficient, her mother
Analyzing Stevie Nicks 'Landslide'
924 Words | 4 PagesLandslide by Stevie Nicks Analysis Essay An aging parent’s lament for their child’s wellbeing after they part ways is something that enters a lot of people’s lives whether they are the parent or the child. This feeling of sorrow and grief is executed perfectly by Stevie Nicks’ lyrics in the song “Landslide”, which details a mother hoping her child will grow past her own mistakes and not repeat them through a plethora of metaphors. This lyrical poem opens with a couple lines who’s repetition throughout the poem fill them with a much deeper meaning.
Not Waving But Drowning Analysis
753 Words | 4 PagesWorking Title: “Not Waving But Drowning” by Stevie Smith – A Criticism of Speechlessness and Lack of Understanding Apparently, the poem “Not Waving but Drowning” is about the Stevie Smith’s own suicidal thoughts – at least this is a conclusion one is tempted to draw given that the majority of early critics more or less explicitly linked the poem to Smith’s biography (Huk 241). In part, the vast interest in the authors biography is understandable since Smith tried to commit suicide shortly after writing the poem (Marangoni 76-7) and since she stated that “[n]early every poem’s about suicide, more or less”(Dick 44). However, this focus on biographical interpretations has hampered a fruitful discussion of the text itself (Huk 241) and stands
More about An Analysis Of Stevie Smith's 'Not Waving But Drowning'
Maria De Martinez Biography
327 Words | 2 PagesLois Simmie Biography
1110 Words | 5 PagesHow Does Tracy K. Smith Create An Elegy In Life On Mars
1737 Words | 7 PagesCarlina's Argumentative Essay
760 Words | 4 PagesVillisca Murder Story
1189 Words | 5 PagesThe Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls Research Paper
874 Words | 4 PagesSymbolism In The Devil's Arithmetic
1096 Words | 5 PagesA Piece Of Cake Analysis
549 Words | 3 PagesThe Scholarship Jacket Short Story
712 Words | 3 PagesElla Fitzgerald Research Paper
1218 Words | 5 PagesLoss Of Innocence In My Antonia
667 Words | 3 PagesMarxist Criticism In 'The Lesson'
723 Words | 3 PagesListen To Your Heart Comparison
798 Words | 4 PagesAnalyzing Stevie Nicks 'Landslide'
924 Words | 4 PagesNot Waving But Drowning Analysis
753 Words | 4 Pages