Joy And Pleasure By William Henry Davies

"Joy and Pleasure" by William Henry Davies is a poem of class. The title of the poem is in form of a symbolism where "joy" symbolizes poverty while "pleasure" symbolizes riches; this can be further proven in line 1 and 2 respectively where joy and pleasure are personified: "Now, joy is born of parents poor/ And pleasure of our richer kind".
With simple diction, alternate end rhyme scheme pattern, symbolism and personification; the readers are able to see the contrasting opinion embedded in the poem.

There are lots of simile in the poem for the purpose of juxtaposition. In line 9 "Joy’s like a Bee" in line 11 "pleasure’s like a greedy
Wasp" in line 13 "Joy’s like a Lark" in line 15 "Pleasure like a Cuckoo". "Pleasure’s a Moth" is an instance of metaphor while "sings and laughs with strangers near" seen in line 20 is a good example of alliteration.

"Now, joy is born of parents poor,
And pleasure of our richer kind;
Though pleasure’s free, she cannot sing
As sweet a song as joy confined."
According to the stanza one above, joy is capable and lively in its condition of poverty while pleasure is free but not lively and free in its condition of riches.

"Pleasure’s a Moth, that sleeps by day
And dances by false glare at night;
But Joy’s a Butterfly, that loves
To spread its wings in Nature’s light."
According to the stanza two, the freedom in poverty can be expressed even in daylight while that of riches is confined to arenas such as nightclubs.

"Joy’s like a Bee that gently sucks
Away on blossoms its sweet hour;
But pleasure’s like a greedy Wasp,
That plums and cherries would devour."
According to stanza three, "joy" which symbolizes poverty is seen to  maintains moderation, prudence, and decency in dealing with freedom while "pleasure" is voracious and greedy in dealing with any slight chance of freedom acquired.

"Joy’s like a Lark that lives alone,
Whose ties are very strong, though few;
But Pleasure like a Cuckoo roams,
Makes much acquaintance, no friends true."
According to the fourth stanza, "joy" chooses friends wisely with deep and lasting emotional connection while "pleasure" acquire to many friends who are not true.

"Joy from her heart doth sing at home,
With little care if others hear;
But pleasure then is cold and dumb,
And sings and laughs with strangers near."
According to the fifth stanza, another character trait surfaced between both contrasting symbols. "Joy" is portrayed to be very reserve while "Pleasure" is full of showoffs.

There are varying themes in the poem, such as poverty, riches, prudence, friendship, avarice, moderateness, etc.

"Pleasure’s a Moth, that sleeps by day/ And dances by false glare at night" since moths are fond of the shining lights at night, "false glare" could probably be the colourful bulbs seen in nightclubs.

William Henry Davies also called W. H. Davies is an English poet born 3rd of July 1871. He died on the 26th of September, 1940 due to ailments from his lost leg. According to the article on Wikipedia, "Davies' health continued to deteriorate and he died, in September 1940, at the age of 69. Never a church-goer in his adult life, Davies was cremated at Cheltenham and his remains interred there."

READ MORE POETIC ANALYSIS>>>

Samuel C. Enunwa aka samueldpoetry
(the Leo with wings flying)