Introduction to the Poem:
The poem entitled Anxiety is a short poem which refers the true character of anxiety In the poem, the poet observes that the nature of anxiety is indescribable. All things and feelings, except anxiety, can be defined either in a straightforward manner or in a poetic manner through the use of similes and metaphors. Anxiety has many forms and manifestations. It has no geometric designs as in the state of happiness. It affects the human mind. It causes a state of utter hopelessness, despair and gloominess.
Summary of the Poem:
The poet observes that the nature, state and impact of anxiety is absolutely indescribable. All things and feelings, except anxiety can be defined and studied. The other feelings such as the feelings of anger and happiness can be described either in a straightforward manner or in a poetic manner through the use of similes and metaphors. But to define the nature and state of anxiety is very difficult. Anxiety is a universal problem. There is hardly any person in the world who has no moments of anxiety in life. Everyone suffers from anxiety. Man is born in this physical world with the burden of anxiety. It is a popular saying that anxiety is like a pyre. It eats the whole human body. It causes of anxiety can be known but the state and impact of anxiety can never be known. It is bottomless. It has many forms and manifestations. Anxiety springs out from some sorrowful event which takes place in man's life. The depth of anxiety at depends upon the nature of sorrow. As the time passes, anxiety makes its abode in man's mind. As a large number of shoots can be seen in a growing plant, similarly anxiety gradually deepens. While suffering from some anxiety, man keeps on giving birth to many intuitions. In this case it becomes difficult to observe and study of the state of anxiety. Just as the roots of the trees are visible to everyone, in the same way the causes of anxiety are clear. But anxiety takes a huge and limitless form, the observation of its state reaches very far beyond human approach. The state of happiness can be observed. Happiness which a man feels can be judged through the expression of his face. The limit of happiness can also be observed. But anxiety is not confined. It directly affects man's mind.
Anxiety is the antonym of hope and cheerfulness because it may be summed up as a nervous feeling caused by fear that something bad is going to happen. The feeling of nervousness deepens anxiety and it begins to construct a permanent abode in human mind. It brings utter gloominess for man. When man thinks a lot over some unexpected happening, the intensity of his nervousness increases and this nervousness invites anxiety. Nervousness and fear are its constant companions. In the deepening state, it becomes impossible to study the actual state of anxiety. Gloominess of anxiety does not allow a single ray of hope and happiness. It only brings an utter darkness for man. It makes man's life completely monotonous. When a man is surrounded with some utter anxiety, he remains calm. Happiness can easily be observed. The flowing of the stream of the clear water has complete transparency, so it is easy to observe its transient joyousness. But anxiety does not have any transparency. In this case it becomes difficult to define it. It clings human mind badly.
The study and observation of the state and nature of anxiety is very far from human reach. The other objects and feelings can be studied and defined. Their causes, and sources of origin can also be known, but anxiety remains in such state that it cannot be defined, studied and measured. It has no limit and depth. When something is burnt, the flames rise upwards and they are oftenly seen in the shape of lungs. The state, nature, reason and intensity of flames can be easily studied and the facts and figures about the observation of the flames can be gathered. It can also be known why and how this shape of lungs comes into existence. The eyes are oftenly tearful. The reason of falling of the tears from the eyes can be studied. The earth is the abode of all the creatures. It sustains the life of all the creatures. Man gets his perfect shape and growth of his body by getting aid of the elements of the earth. All the elements of the earth impart man's physical strength. Everything about man's physical development can be confirmed. Even the form and state of the air can also be studied though it remains invisible. Man's surroundings can be studied and defined. There are many birds which fly in the sky on a great height and remain in invisible state, but the height of their flight and the state on such height can be measured. But it is very difficult to measure and observe the state of anxiety. No metaphor can be used to know the depth and state of anxiety. Anxiety is only felt and experienced.
Critical Appreciation of the Poem:
Introduction:
The poem entitled Anxiety shows indescribable nature of anxiety. It also presents true and universal character of anxiety. Things can be defined or described in specific terms, either in a straightforward way or by the use of similes and metaphors. But anxiety is a state of mind which cannot be described either in direct terms or by means of a metaphor. Anxiety is a deepening state of mind. It has a direct effect on man's mind. It brings utter gloominess for man. It makes him unconscious and indifferent towards the bright sides of life.
Thought - Content:
The poet makes his utmost efforts to describe anxiety through various similes and metaphors, but he fails to sum up its real nature. Anxiety has many forms and manifestations. It springs out from some sorrowful event which takes place in man's life. The depth of anxiety depends upon the nature of sorrow. It gradually deepens. The causes of anxiety are clear, but its state and nature cannot be studied. Other feelings like happiness can be observed and studied through signs and expressions, but anxiety does not leave any room for study. Anxiety is antonym of hope and cheerfulness because it may be summed up as a nervous feeling caused by fear.
Style and Language:
In this poem of fourteen lines, the poet uses simple, everyday words. He observes utmost economy in the use of words. He uses apt and meaningful words. In the first twelve lines of the poem, the poet tries to describe anxiety by means of various similes and metaphors but, not feeling satisfied with them, he says in the last two lines that anxiety can find no metaphor to end it. In the following line, the poet has given a metaphorical description of his own gloomy temperament: “It has loose ends with a knot at the top that's me.”
