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harmonium
- Structure
- The poem has four stanzas of varying lengths. The first stanza describes the harmonium as it stands, ready to be
discarded. The next is a closer investigation of the instrument, with detailed descriptions of its parts. The third
stanza considers the history of the instrument. The final stanza, which describes carrying the harmonium from the
church, is concerned with the relationship between the speaker and his father.
- The poem has four stanzas of varying lengths. The first stanza describes the harmonium as it stands, ready to be
discarded. The next is a closer investigation of the instrument, with detailed descriptions of its parts. The third
stanza considers the history of the instrument. The final stanza, which describes carrying the harmonium from the
church, is concerned with the relationship between the speaker and his father.
- comparison
- Nettles is a poem about the relationship between father and son, although from the perspective of the
father rather than the son
- Praise Song for My Mother Praise Song for My Mother is about a parent from a child's perspective, although it is
more direct than Harmonium.
- Praise Song for My Mother Praise Song for My Mother is about a parent from a child's perspective, although it is
more direct than Harmonium.
- Nettles is a poem about the relationship between father and son, although from the perspective of the
father rather than the son
- language
- Colloquial language is used to create an informal, friendly and conversational tone. In the first stanza the
harmonium is "gathering dust", about to be "bundled off to the skip" or sold "for a song" (cheaply). This technique
creates a sense of honesty and deceptive simplicity. The colloquial language is also combined with puns
associated with music. As well as the example above, the sound of the harmonium "still struck a chord" - both
literally as the instrument still plays, but also because it triggers thoughts of the past, specifically of fathers and
sons singing in the church choir.
- Imagery The third stanza uses an interesting metaphor to describe the choir. The singers "opened their throats/and
gilded finches - like high notes - had streamed out". The metaphor of the voices sounding like golden birds is
combined with a simile of the "high notes" to create a very positive and joyful image of the past. The harmonium is
given human qualities throughout the poem: the keys are "fingernails"; "one of its notes has lost its tongue"; and it is
carried out "laid on its back". The position of the instrument in the church, like an important member of the
congregation or community, was once significant.
- Imagery The third stanza uses an interesting metaphor to describe the choir. The singers "opened their throats/and
gilded finches - like high notes - had streamed out". The metaphor of the voices sounding like golden birds is
combined with a simile of the "high notes" to create a very positive and joyful image of the past. The harmonium is
given human qualities throughout the poem: the keys are "fingernails"; "one of its notes has lost its tongue"; and it is
carried out "laid on its back". The position of the instrument in the church, like an important member of the
congregation or community, was once significant.
- Colloquial language is used to create an informal, friendly and conversational tone. In the first stanza the
harmonium is "gathering dust", about to be "bundled off to the skip" or sold "for a song" (cheaply). This technique
creates a sense of honesty and deceptive simplicity. The colloquial language is also combined with puns
associated with music. As well as the example above, the sound of the harmonium "still struck a chord" - both
literally as the instrument still plays, but also because it triggers thoughts of the past, specifically of fathers and
sons singing in the church choir.
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