Blog Post #15: Linguistics and "Terence, This is Stupid Stuff"

Essay:
2009B Poem: “Terence, This is Stupid Stuff”
Prompt: The following poem makes use of the story of Mithridates VI, King of Pontus, who developed an immunity to poison. Read the poem carefully. Then write an essay in which you analyze how Housman employs literary devices in adapting the story to address concerns of the late Victorian period.

The late victorian period inspired many writers to convey their doubts and pessimism at the ending of an era known for its emphasis in moral responsibility and propriety. In "Terence, This is Stupid Stuff", A.E. Houseman alludes to the myth of Mithridates in order to argue that the way one can make oneself immune to the world's troubles is by reveling in the world's vices themselves. He reinforces this theme through symbolism, alliterations, and rhyming couplets. 

The symbology of alcohol and drinking and the connection of that to the myth of Mithridates emphasizes Houseman's message that by divulging in the sin itself can make one immune to its negative repercussions. The poison in question of Houseman's poem is symbolized by beer and other alcoholic beverages. This choice of poison is significant in that in the Victorian period, this habit of drinking would have been considered improper when held up to the high moral standards. However, with the disillusionment of these so-called proper Victorian values, which did no prevent many of the atrocities of industrialization from occurring, Houseman is implying that drinking can be viewed as beneficial, something to help forget the graver problems of the world. Since there is "much less good than ill" in the world, one should "face it as a wise man would/And train for ill and not for good" (ll.44,47-48). To prove his point he alludes to Mithridates who "died old" and bested those who had tried to poison saying "Them it was their poison hurt" (ll.74,76). The best method in being able to survive in such a bleak, harsh world is to indulge in its vices. 

The alliteration of the poem and the rhyming couplets work to emphasize Houseman's mocking, playful tone which he uses ironically to talk about subject that is serious and grave. This reinforces his belief that the age of prosperity and upholding high moral standards is ending and he satirizes the old Victorian belief that corruption can prevented by enforcing rules. "And malt does more than Milton can/To justify God's ways to man" (11.22-23). The unserious and lighthearted way this poem sounds while discussing how drinking away all you problems i more effective than setting up morals and rules emphasizes Houseman's disillusionment with the old Victorian views and his satirical ideas of surviving an unfair world.

Score: 5

Structuralism:

Structuralism is essentially the study of the form of language and how it relates to meaning. Because language is defined as a code which consists of signs to communicate ideas, language is full of patterns, which over time each have certain connotations and associations linked with it. Language is what is called the signifier, and the meaning that is conveyed is the signified. Structuralism is the study of the relationship between signifier and signified, how sometimes seemingly random symbols and letters are transformed into actual ideas and images. Structuralists ask not only the question of what is this piece trying to convey but also the question of how the piece conveys it. They study how sounds and words (phonology and morphology) form syntax, which creates literal meaning (semantics), and finally cultural, intended meaning (pragmatics).

"Terence":

Binary opposites:

Stupid vs. Smart

Drunk vs. Sober

Past vs. Present

Ill vs. Good

Short term vs. Long term

Moon vs. Sun

Trouble vs. Luck

In A.E. Houseman's "Terence, This is Stupid Stuff", the use of binary opposites emphasized the futility of simply drinking away one's troubles in the face of the world's adversity, while reinforcing Terence's argument to dwell in the constant sorrow of tragic poetry. 

Sound devices:

Amiss

tis

horned head

Livelier liquor

brisk

stem

smack

sour

In A.E. Houseman's "Terence, This is Stupid Stuff", the use of cacophony accentuates the harsh reality of late Victorian society while the euphony emphasizes the false contentment brought by alcohol. 

Diction:

"And while the sun and moon endure/

Luck's a chance, but trouble's sure,

I'd face it as a wise man would,

And train for ill and not for good."

This line was significant because it explains a integral part of Terence's reasoning for reading and writing poetry that has sad subject matter and his worldview.

"train"- to teach a particular skill/behavior through practice and instruction over a period of time

etymology: Latin trahere- pull, drawThe meaning behind the word "train" has a lot to do with the drawing out of instruction over a longer period of time. This emphasizes the longevity of Terence's solution, which he will train for a long period of time to achieve, compared to his pub friends' temporary solution of drinking. Rhyme and Rhythm:
In "Terence, This is Stupid Stuff," A.E. Houseman utilizes iambic tetrameter and rhyming couplets to reflect the humor and lightheartedness of the pub and contrast with the heavy subject matter Terence refers to. This ultimately asserts that the immediate pleasure of beer is short-sighted while the revelations through sad poetry are intellectual and more rewarding over time.
Syntax:
Alliteration: repetition of a sound in multiple words. Focuses readers attention on a particular section of text, creates rhythm, mood, and connotation.
Parallelism: when the writer establishes similar patterns of grammatical structure and length. Creates rhythm and balance, highlights information to make a powerful point.
Antithesis: contrary ideas expressed in a balanced sentence. Emphasizes ideas and highlights contrast.
Asyndeton: using no conjunctions to create the effect of speed or simplicity. Creates rhythm.
Anastrophe: inverted word order from what one expects. Rhythm, rhyme scheme, sense of depth or wisdom.
In "Terence, This is Stupid Stuff," A.E. Houseman utilizes parallelism and alliteration to reinforce the idea that the world is full of ill will and the only way to prevent being ruined by such an understanding is to express and experience more sadness in the form of poetry.
Semantics and Pragmatics:
"I tell the tale that I heard told./
Mithridates, he died old."
Semantically, this line means that the Mithridates lived to an old age before he died. Pragmatically, this ties in the cultural idea that most human beings fear death and that dying old is a desirable thing. Since Mithridates died old, that means his method of slowly intaking the poison until he was immune to it worked and that we should follow his example in slowly processing the world's evil through dark, disconsolate poetry until we are also immune. 
Argument:
Terence's friends structure their argument inductively. They inductively presume that Terence is happy since he eats his "victuals fast enough" and drinks his beer. Terence structures his argument deductively. He asserts that the world has "much less good than ill" and the deduces that therefore he should train in "ill", meaning that he should continue to pursue sadness in poetry until one day he will become immune to it. This means he shouldn't continue to ignore the world's sorrow and keep drinking and merrymaking like all his pub friends. Terence's friends use pathos in their argument primarily, appealing to his emotions and desires to be happy and dance instead of remaining sad for no reason. Terence uses logos to reason why such doing is useless in making oneself better prepared for the world's tragedy.