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Purity through Nature: A Comparative Analysis of Metaphoric Structures Linked to Nature in the Poetic Works of John Donne and Langston Hughes

When poets manipulate and blend categorical language and imagery through the use of metaphor, they change the reality within the poetic work. The purpose of this paper is to extend on the already occurring argument in regards to the role of nature and metaphor in literary works. This paper will demonstrate how images of nature work as tools of social validation for ostracized lifestyles and racial groups. Within the frame of a comparative analysis of John Donne’s “The Bait” and “The Primrose” and Langston Hughes’ “Dreams” and “Dream Variation” this argument focuses on the way metaphors turn towards nature for purity and then include people within the newly constructed natural image. Questions that are developed and answered are (a) How is metaphor used as a tool of social validation? (b) How can images of nature increase persuasiveness and influence social acceptance? and (c) How has the use of nature evolved over poetic history? What is nature? What laws define and conceptualize nature? These are questions that scholars often ask themselves. Today’s media has become hypersensitive regarding nature and often highlights laws that attempt to protect the environment, to social concerns over the o-zone layer and depleting fossil fuels. Nature has been depicted in every art form since the beginning of civilization, from cave drawings, architecture, oral tales, and later poetry. Some of the most popular poetic forms, such as Haiku, Pastoral and Sonnets are dependent on nature as the center image within the form. The question then remains: Why are so many writers drawn to nature in their writing, and what purpose does images of nature serve in poetic works? It is not coincidental that the words “Naturalism” “Naturalized” and “Natural” are all founded on the word “Nature.” Nature, uncorrupted by man or any outside force is believed to be pure, and within language writers often seek to attach man-made societies to nature. For this reason, throughout American literary history you will find rural and city poets evoking the offspring of nature, such as birds and trees. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the power of metaphor inherent in its ability to empower “outsiders.” In order to analyze how Langston