Synthesized answer
The provided passages offer only a limited view of Josephine Daskam Bacon’s poetic voice and intentions, as they consist of individual poems without the book’s dedication, copyright, or any explanatory framing. From the poems themselves, we can discern a voice that contrasts earthly luxury with spiritual or natural longing. In “A Christmas Hymn for Children,” the speaker juxtaposes modern comfort (“Our coats they lack not silk nor fur”) with Christ’s humble birth (“Low in a stall Thyself did lie”) [2]. Similarly, “The Nixy” depicts a creature who rejects human gifts of silk and gold, yearning instead for “the river side” and “the green depths, pure and cold” [4]. This recurring theme suggests Bacon’s intention to critique materialism and celebrate simplicity or transcendence.
Imagery in “A Japanese Fan” evokes exotic escapism (“Ah me, ah me, to journey there!”) with vivid details of “one sharp peak rises, blackly bare” and a lady whose “hands are like curled lily-buds” [1]. The sonnets “The Preparation” and “The Incarnation” introduce a theological dimension, emphasizing divine mercy and love that “quencheth with his tears the fires of hell” and “hath comfort for all woes”…
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
← The nixy Poems by Josephine Daskam Bacon A japanese fan The preparation → 4530544 Poems — A japanese fan Josephine Daskam Bacon A JAPANESE FAN I s it so warm in old Japan? Do flowers flaunt out such riot glare? Hangs that soft, golden mist so low? Ah me, ah me, to journey there! Inked out against the yellow glow One sharp peak rises, blackly bare; A stately swan steers up the sky— Ah me, ah me, to journey there! And see her as she furls her fan! Was ever lady half so fair? She beckons to me with her eyes— Ah me, ah me, to journey there! Were ever feet so dainty small? Was ever coiled such…
← Song to ophelia Poems by Josephine Daskam Bacon A christmas hymn for children The gypsy maid → 4530535 Poems — A christmas hymn for children Josephine Daskam Bacon A CHRISTMAS HYMN FOR CHILDREN O ur bells ring out to all the earth, In excelsis gloria! But none for Thee made chimes of mirth On that great morning of Thy birth. Our coats they lack not silk nor fur, In excelsis gloria! Not such Thy Blessed Mother's were; Full simple garments covered Her. Our churches rise up goodly high, In excelsis gloria! Low in a stall Thyself did lie, With hornèd oxen standing by. Incense we breathe and…
← A japanese fan Poems by Josephine Daskam Bacon The preparation The incarnation → 4530545 Poems — The preparation Josephine Daskam Bacon TWO SONNETS FROM THE HEBREW I. THE PREPARATION "And he said, I will not destroy it for the ten's sake." L ook back and see this brooding tenderness! Ye wait till Bethlehem? Nay then, not I! Under the law doth Israel ever sigh? Is there no mercy till the great redress? See now, amid the nameless wickedness Love dreadeth lest one soul of his should die, Spareth and faltereth and passeth by, Soft'ning the law to ease a son's distress. Shall not the judge of…
← At parting Poems by Josephine Daskam Bacon The nixy A japanese fan → 4530543 Poems — The nixy Josephine Daskam Bacon THE NIXY T hey brought her honey and milk, They brought her curds and wine, "But oh!" she cried, "for the river side, And the rushes that were mine!" They robed her body with silk, They filled her lap with gold, "But oh!" she prayed, "for the mossy shade, And the green depths, pure and cold!" They kissed her ankles for love, They worshiped at her eyes, "But oh!" she moaned, "for the flood, deep-toned, And the sweeping spray that flies!" They draped her chamber with black,…
← The preparation Poems by Josephine Daskam Bacon The incarnation Ode → 4530546 Poems — The incarnation Josephine Daskam Bacon II. THE INCARNATION "Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee!" " S peak thou for us: with God we will not speak!" Ye will have prophet, yea, and saviour too, And saint and creed and priest to worship through, Whereat Love smiles and gives them, ye being weak. And most ye clutch at her, that virgin meek With cradling arms: ah, child of Love, but who Curved her soft breast, and taught the dove to coo, And sent the shepherd forth the lamb to seek? Surely great…
More questions about this book
- Compare and contrast the speaker's desires or perspectives in "A Christmas Hymn for Children" and "A Japanese Fan." What specific literary techniques does Bacon employ in each to evoke these distinct emotional landscapes?
- Given that Bacon's "Poems" is in the public domain, explain the practical implications this has for its accessibility, potential for adaptation, and continued relevance compared to a work still under copyright.
- What does the dedication "TO M. A. J., the first and cordial critic" reveal about the collaborative or introspective nature of Bacon's creative process, and how might this influence a reader's interpretation of her poetry?
- The text begins with a reference to Peter O'Toole's "My Life So Far," yet focuses entirely on Josephine Daskam Bacon's "Poems." How does this initial contextual framing influence or potentially complicate your interpretation of the excerpted poetry?