Exploring the Power of Memory in DH Lawrence's "Piano
The poem "Piano" by DH Lawrence beautifully conveys the profound impact of memory through vivid imagery of a nostalgic past. Lawrence takes the reader on a journey back in time, exploring themes of longing, nostalgia, and the enduring power of music to evoke deep emotions and memories. The poem delicately captures the essence of childhood innocence and the bittersweet emotions associated with reminiscing about the past.
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Piano by DH Lawrence How does Lawrence convey the power of memory in his poem Piano ? Name:
Read through the following text. As you are reading, make notes on your response to the text. You may wish to consider What you think is happening in the poem What you think the message of the poem is Any words, phrases or images that particularly strike you The way in which the poem is organised How you feel reading the poem Piano by DH Lawrence 1 2 3 4 5 Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me; Taking me back down the vista of years, till I see A child sitting under the piano, in the boom of the tingling strings And pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles as she sings. 6 7 8 9 In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song Betrays me back, till the heart of me weeps to belong To the old Sunday evenings at home, with winter outside And hymns in the cozy parlor, the tinkling piano our guide. 10 11 12 13 So now it is vain for the singer to burst into clamor With the great black piano appassionato. The glamour Of childish days is upon me, my manhood is cast Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past.
Now watch the video lecture by Miss Odell entitled How does Lawrence convey the power of memory in his poem Piano ? As you are watching, annotate the poem to record the contextual backdrop to the poem, the key ideas, key words, phrases and images and key structural points. Piano by DH Lawrence 1 2 3 4 5 Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me; Taking me back down the vista of years, till I see A child sitting under the piano, in the boom of the tingling strings And pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles as she sings. In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song Betrays me back, till the heart of me weeps to belong To the old Sunday evenings at home, with winter outside And hymns in the cozy parlor, the tinkling piano our guide. 6 7 8 9 So now it is vain for the singer to burst into clamor With the great black piano appassionato. The glamour Of childish days is upon me, my manhood is cast Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past. 10 11 12 13
Harkness discussion / reflection sheet Piano What impression does the poem give of Lawrence s early life? What effect does the piano being played have on the persona in the poem? In what ways does Lawrence s presentation of sound reinforce the ideas of the poem? Which word, phrase, language or structural choice do you find most interesting and why? Compare and contrast question: Compare how a moment in time is captured in this poem and one other text of your choosing.
