Assignment on Analysis of the Poem After the Empire Falls

Poem: After the Empire Falls

                        In this poem, the poet came forward with a wonderful idea to depict the dual mindset of people. It is important to have some form adopted for every poem so that it sounds better to its readers and listeners. When this poem is analyzed, it is very much evident that “After the Empire Falls” poem comes with a form, which is called free verse poetry.

“After the empire falls,

Then they’ll look back at it

And try to figure out what went wrong.

Maybe it was the war, they’ll say;

Or maybe avoiding war is what brought it down.”

In the above verses, it can be seen that there is no consistency in its words and phrases, and its rhyme scheme is inconsistent. This poem has used free verse form to address the topic, which also asserts that maybe there was no need to use any rhyme scheme.

            So, by using the free verse method, the poet has written it to convey his message in the absence of any rhymes. It is a common practice that poets like to use consistent rhymes in their poetry. Normally, rhymes are used, which ends with the same type of vowel. However, this poem is lacking in any type of rhymes.

“Maybe they had too much and became greedy or soft,

Or maybe they didn’t have enough and wanted more.

Perhaps they consumed themselves with the superficial

And cared more for their games than about the future.”

Still, it is written in a manner, where it does not seem out of order. As far as words and diction of this poem are concerned, it is quite evident that formal diction is used by the poet. He has not tried to use any slang words or words, which are not considered sophisticated. So, a well-formed and sophisticated language has been used in this poem. It has tried to follow the essence of grammar as well, which makes it more formal.

            The poet has tried to explain an idea, how people tend to get confused when something happens. He took the example of an Empire when it falls, so, what happens next? Normally, people talk about different things, which were not followed, or which played their part in falling down an empire. It also shows, how people can have a difference of opinion when it comes to making an opinion about anything. If an empire falls, some would say, it happened because the war was not fought well, and others would say, it happened because the empire indulged in a war.

“After the empire falls,

Then they’ll look back at it

And try to figure out what went wrong.

Maybe it was the war, they’ll say;

Or maybe avoiding war is what brought it down.”

It is interesting that people come up with two opposing points of view for a single situation. But if they can learn from the past, then such kind of mistakes can be avoided, which may play their part in falling an empire down.

            It is quite interesting that the poet has not used any symbolism or metaphor in particular. It is done on purpose because the poem is trying to convey a simple message about the double standards, and the dual approach of people when they deal with a situation. They have a difference of opinion for a similar situation, and it is quite obvious to happen. In my viewpoint, the poem was very effective for readers to reflect on their thought process to know, how they would react to a similar kind of situation. How they would respond to the situation, where they will have to face the essence of failure. This poem is a good example to understand the diversity of opinion as well.