The Pied Piper of Hamelin

One of the most effective ways Browning tells the story in The Pied Piper of Hamelin is through the use of rhyme. Throughout most of the poem (with a few exceptions), Browning uses ABAB. The use of such a rhythmic scheme allows Browning to transform the poem into a child's poem, which is completely different to his other poetry. Traditionally, the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin is used as a cautionary tale for children, and the rhythmic scheme allows the poem to take this form.

Throughout the poem, there are clear voices: the mayor, the Pied Piper, the lonely child and so on. There is also a clear linear chronology. It goes from the story of the Pied Piper being told, to then the voice of the poem talking directly to a child. Both of these narrative techniques emphasise the possibility of this poem being a cautionary tale for children as it ensures the poem has a simple and basic flow.

Browning's descriptions of the politicians/the "Corporation" are another effective way of telling the poem, and highly interesting. Line 27; "vermin" and line 29; "furry civic robe". This animalises the powerful people which makes it seem as if its deeper than a child’s cautionary tale, and it is another way of Browning making a dig at politicians, claiming they’re completely detached from society and humanity on a whole.

There are many underlying issues in this poem that suggest that it is not just a child's tale, but it is actually a story about corruption and the issues with lying. As a result of the leaders of Hamelin lying to the Pied Piper about how much money they would give to him, he leads the children to their death. This mixed with the animalistic descriptions of the Corporation is yet another direct dig at politicians; that deceit ends in death and unhappiness. 

Another way of telling the story is the difference between the blandness of the citizens of the town (and the town itself) and the Pied Piper. The way he dresses is depicted as “quaint” and he describes at length how much he has travelled; “I eased in Asia the Nizam Of a monstrous brood of vampyre bats”. Whereas they are described as being “monstrously fat”. In this sense, it is Browning’s way of singling the Pied Piper out; perhaps a foreshadowing as it suggests they are hugely different so said difference could perhaps lead to a conflict or issue later on. 

Porphyria's Lover

Porphyria's Lover (1836) is a dramatic monologue by Robert Browning. It begins with Porphyria seeking refuge from a storm in the voice's (her lover's) cottage. She proceeds to light a fire, tell him she loves him and then loses her virginity to him. Porphyria even goes as far as to say she "worhip[s]" him.

The beginning of the poem is much alike the Romantic poetry of the early 19th century; a raging and ever-worsening storm going on whilst someone is in the warmth, initially alone. In Romantic poetry, nature is seen as sublime, however in this poem, both nature and Porphyria are seen as sublime. From the very beginning Porphyria is described as an almost angelic woman. Browning contrasts the negative imagery of the storm with the beauty of Porphyria. Contrasting the "sullen wind" with her "smooth white shoulder" etc.

The voice describes the events that take place in an eerily calm manner, ever so bluntly; "I wound Three times her little throat around, And strangled her." which makes it seem like he does not really think what he is doing is unnatural. However, the ABABB rhythmic scheme is unnatural and also quite intense, so in this sense the rhythmic scheme represents the voice's mental state.

There are many different interpretations that could be seen to explain why the voice decides to strangle Porphyria. The 'storm' outside could symbolise society and its harmful ways; you cannot control what society does. Because of this, her seeking the warmth and calm of his cottage is highly meaningful, it means she is defying society. In a way, her actions are of greater meaning than the words she says, as it is clear she fully trusts and loves him by this.

In lines 15-20 the voice describe how Porphyria lays her shoulder bare for him, which is a common way of comforting someone. However, from lines 50-54, after he has killed her, he describes how he did this with her corpse. This portrays a shift in power dynamics, opening the interpretation that he killed her to regain control in the relationship. The name of the poem backs up this point. It is called Porphyria's Lover; he belongs to her. 

I believe the voice thinks what he did is the right thing, it was an act of love; albeit an unstable and warped way of going about things. Upon having sex, he say she "gave herself to him forever". Losing her virginity to him meant he had a piece of her, a piece he so strongly wanted to keep. On line 57 he says "her darling one wish would be heard", she died belonging to him which is what she wanted; in this sense she was his "for ever."

INSTEAD OF KILLING YOURSELF 

wait until
a year from now
where you say,
“Holy fuck,
I can’t believe I was going to kill myself before I etcetera’d…
before I went skinny dipping in Tennessee,
made my own IPA,
tried out for a game show,
rode a camel drunk,
skydived alone,
learned to waltz with clumsy old people,
photographed electric jellyfish,
built a sailboat from trash,
taught someone how to read,
etc. etc. etc.”

The red washing
down the bathtub
can’t change the color of the sea
at all.

Derrick C. Brown

This is one of my favourite poems. Its not good to analyse in the sense that it doesn't have any other interpretations but I think its beautiful. The final stanza just sets out the belief that although you may be low now, killing yourself won't change anything. I like this poem because it highlights that having strength, even throughout rough times, pays off eventually. You shouldn't do something arguably reckless like kill yourself when you have so many things to look forward to in life.