Mont Blanc & Piano (Percy Bysshe & D.H. Lawrence)
‘Mont Blanc’ by Percy Bysshe Shelley focuses on the association of the human mind and nature as two interchangeable elements in the universe. Shelley seems to suggest that creation and imagination flows through the human mind much like nature does. Mont Blanc is a philosophical poem that questions how far human creativity and imagination can go, by using nature to convey that message. The phrase “the everlasting universe of things” indicates the infinite possibility and power of the human imagination. The first stanza compares fluid imagery such as “flows, rolls, waves, springs, tribute (from tributary) brook, waterfalls, river, bursts and raves” to the human mind as a way to visualise how far our minds allow us to imagine. In a way, Shelley is telling the readers that the human mind exists in the same way that a river exists: never-ending. However, Shelley then points out how the only difference between the human mind and nature is that the metaphorical river in nature goes on endlessly whilst the human mind is subject to mortality, hence highlighting the vulnerability of humans compared to everything that surrounds us.
Meanwhile,“Piano” by D.H. Lawrence discusses the human mind as well but more specifically, its ability to connect memories and emotional attachment with melodies. D.H. Lawrence in “Piano” emphasises the idea that no matter how far one goes in life, they will always feel an emotional attachment to their childhood. For the persona here, memories from their childhood floods through their mind again upon hearing a piano being played or a song being sung. In response to emotional attachment with melodies, the persona seems to think that his present day experience with the piano evokes unwanted feelings like sorrow and longing for the past. To him, melodies are so impactful that his “manhood is cast//Down the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past.” This is a reminder to us readers that someday we will find ourselves longing for the past like the persona did and it often begins with an emotional attachment from our past.
