Twinkle, Little Star
Twinkle, Little Star Entwined within two poems, one titled "Bright Star" and authored by John Keats, the other called "Choose Something Like a Star" penned by Mr. Robert Frost, emerges the similar theme of the human need for stability and sense of permanence. Although varied in literary devices, sub themes, and structure the like poems strongly convey this common ideal and do so with the powerful icon of the star, or the heavens. The star historically represents the eternalness of the heavens and the unattainable by human beings. Initially, Keats establishes the immediacy of his words in speaking directly to the star in question. The use of apostrophe in the very opening line, as Mr. Keats addresses the star, "
would I were steadfast as thou art " is again reiterated in the third line as the star is described as "watching, with eternal lids apart" (Keats 1-3). Likewise, Robert Frost includes opening apostrophe as well when he says, "O Star
say something to us we can learn" (Choose something Like a Star 1). Both examples implore a sense of propinquity as two people would share in an intimate conversation. Directly in line with this device follows the use of personification. Highlighted through the star being asked to "say something" as it "asks little of us here" (Choose Something Like a Star 9). Thus, emphasizing the directness in which the speaker of the poem expresses to the star itself. Similar through both poems is also the use of run on lines, or enjambment. Broken up with commas as well as hyphens, the rushed verse creates a subtle panic in the speaker's voice. Not to say the speaker is indeed in a panic, rather the lack of pause simply erects thoughts of pressing forth the need for information from the stars. In "Bright Star," the speaker addresses the star "Pillow'd upon [his] fair love's ripening breast, /To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,/ Awake for ever in a sweet unrest" (Bright Star 10-2). Similarly, Frost hurries his verse to the star