ON THE MOVE

On the Move

Thom Gunn

Ismael Ines, Laurent Célestin, Malanda Max, Chabe-Genau Benjamin

07/10/2023

Index

05. Line by Line analysis

01. Short biography

06. Analysis of the feelings

02. Subject

03. Form

07. The creative part

04. Themes and Feeling

08. Quiz!!!

Thom Gunn

01.

1929-2004

Who was Thom Gunn?

• Born in Gravesend, Kent
• Happy early childhood, but mother committed suicide after her divorce in 1977
• Cambridge english graduate
• Moved to San Francisco in the 60's with his life long lover Mike Kitay
• Won major literary awards for his best poems which had a compact philosophical elegance

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02. Subject

What is the Poem about ?

Why was it written?

When was it written?

Narration

Where is it set?

What features in the poem?

Who features in the poem?

03.

Form

On the MoveThom Gunn

06.

Themes and Feelings

• Movement
• Identity/ Self-Discovery
• Nature
• Alienation
• Morality
• Death

• Family

07.

Analysis: 1st stanza

The blue jay scuffling in the bushes followsSome hidden purpose, and the gust of birdsThat spurts across the field, the wheeling swallows,Has nested in the trees and undergrowth.Seeking their instinct, or their poise, or both,One moves with an uncertain violenceUnder the dust thrown by a baffled senseOr the dull thunder of approximate words.

How is the biker lifestyle portrayed as a potential answer to the human quest for meaning?

Lexical field of movement (especially aerial): creates a lively environment Reinforced by important presence of the f sound, reminds movement in bushes Nature is "on the move" Introduction of human life with "one" referring to humans Slower, uncertain life in contrast to nature's : shows poet isn't satisfied with the way humans live

07.

Analysis: 2nd stanza

On motorcycles, up the road, they come:Small, black, as flies hanging in heat, the Boys,Until the distance throws them forth, their humBulges to thunder held by calf and thigh.In goggles, donned impersonality,In gleaming jackets trophied with the dust,They strap in doubt – by hiding it, robust –And almost hear a meaning in their noise.

Introduction of the riders: impressive, imposing description and arrival Glorified: main event of those lines is their arrival Comparison bike/thunder Lexical field of luxury, victory Beginning of analysis of their mindset in the end & meaning of their behavior

07.

Analysis: 3rd stanza

Questioning of the meaning behind their actions Again, uncertainty of life (1st stanza) --> Thrill of speed could help them find meaning: like the birds, always on the move Riding gives meaning to their life Harmony with nature, must be accepted Metaphor of life/future as a road, works especially for riders Embodies the quest for meaning of post-war writing

Exact conclusion of their hardinessHas no shape yet, but from known whereaboutsThey ride, direction where the tyres press.They scare a flight of birds across the field:Much that is natural, to the will must yield.Men manufacture both machine and soul,And use what they imperfectly controlTo dare a future from the taken routes.

07.

Analysis: 4th stanza

"Solution" refers to quest for meaning: here an answer Anaphora to enumerate solutions Here rejecting conflict: mankind can choose, doesn't have beast instincts -->They can thus choose to move: riders "Valueless" both meanings

It is a part solution, after all. One is not necessarily discord On earth; or damned because, half animal, One lacks direct instinct, because one wakes Afloat on movement that divides and breaks. One joins the movement in a valueless world, Choosing it, till, both hurler and the hurled, One moves as well, always toward, toward.

07.

Analysis: 5th stanza

A minute holds them, who have come to go:The self-defined, astride the created willThey burst away; the towns they travel throughAre home for neither bird nor holiness,For birds and saints complete their purposes.At worst, one is in motion; and at best,Reaching no absolute, in which to rest,One is always nearer by not keeping still.

Unit of time: short stops, always on the move: shown by their departure right after the first part Departure/movement referenced again, towns as mere points of passage Choose their own way of life as an answer for the quest for meaning Again metaphor biker/bird Powerful last 3 lines sum up poem and biker lifestyle

Thank youfor your attention

Any questions?