The use of an affirmative and positive first person, 'I' in the title, as well as in the rest of the poem, followed by an assertive 'believe' is a powerful statement and serves to express the speaker's determination and surety about her ability to achieve what she wishes to. The speaker expresses an unwavering certainty about her potential. The anaphora at the beginning of each stanza is a further affirmation and emphasis of the speaker's profound faith in her abilities. This, in itself, is motivation on its own.
The poet uses a variety of metaphors throughout the poem to express her unshakable faith and intent expressed by the introductory and repetitive, 'I believe ...' The pebble in the first stanza alludes to the speaker's insignificance and smallness. This, however, does not stop the speaker from being convinced that she can 'pierce the heavens' i.e. achieve the highest possible position and share in the glory that such a special place has to offer.
The second stanza emphasizes this point. The speaker is convinced that she is able to transcend every earthbound limitation and reach great heights. She is able to surpass even the clouds and reach the stars. Stars are symbols for the pinnacle of achievement. Such confidence is enough to inspire anyone.
In stanza three, the speaker confirms that just as much as she can reach the pinnacle of endeavour, so too can she reach the deepest depths and overcome any adversity when doing so. The sharks in this stanza represent the risks and hurdles that the speaker will encounter in her endeavours, but these are challenges which she can easily overcome and live with.
The metaphor in stanza four extends this proclamation, for the speaker has confidence in the fact that she has the ability to delve into the earth and recover its wealth. She knows that the earth will give up its riches for she will find them and adorn herself with them.
This self-affirmation takes the form of a declaration in stanza five in which the speaker, once again confidently states that she has many abilities amongst all of humankind, that is also blessed with divine qualities, and she shares a special place amongst its members.
The last stanza serves to express the speaker's sentiment regarding her destiny. Fate has burdened her with a task which she knows that she has to fulfill and she is more than willing and able to do so.
The entire mood and tone of the poem is inspirational and positive. The speaker does not once express doubt and is clearly not intimidated by any of the challenges that she may encounter. It is this emphatic confirmation of the faith that she has in herself and her absolute confidence that she can achieve whatever she sets her mind to, that motivates any reader anywhere in the world, to believe that he or she can do the same. And, since the speaker is as much a member of the human race as everyone else, her sentiments have universal appeal and application.
No comments:
Post a Comment