2012200758 2012级3班 郭建英Analysis of To a WaterfowlAt the very beginning, the author describes a beautiful scene that a waterfowl flies lonely, which creates a sad and silent atomsphere. From the words “far” and ”depths”, we can imagine that there exists a extensive space where is full of upset notes. Meanwhile, the description for the waterfowl makes a strong contrast with this background. While in the second stanza, the poet potrays the waterfowl as a firm image. The hunters cant finish the task though they have spared no efforts to catch it. To some degree, we can find a contrast between human beings and the nature. At the face of nature, human beings are so small that they cannot change the nature anyway though they have created advanced tecnology and developed devices. The hamony between people and nature is the final and the basic aim. So, we can see, the author appreciates the lonely waterfowl very much because it cannot be changed by others easily. From the next two stanzas, they are full of mysterious atmosphere, and especially there is a “Power” guides it. Though the waterfowl is lonely, it isnt lost. We can imagine that “Power” maybe represents God or other myterious power. Why the power help the waterfowl? In my imagine, owing to the waterfowls hard working,the power are inclined to do favor to it. From the fifth stanza, we can find the symbolic clues, the author dont hope the waterfowl falls in the weary land. What is it and how about “dark night”? Are there any deep meaning?In my opinion, the waterfowl is the reflection of the authors problems, and his main idea is to find the enlightenment of solving the problems. And the waterfowls struggling is the portrayal of the authors getting rid of confusion. In other words, To Waterfowl is a vivid showing for the religious belief. After careful reading, the God is still here, he finds his definite aim in his mind. Gradually, the waterfowl and author are all enligtened by the God. The author uses the special device to render moral rules, which is that human beings are just like other creatures who will be protected and favored. It is possible that there are many obstacles on your road and even you are in dilema, but if you never give up, you may find the promissing future.At that time, though American religious movement as one falls another rises. It is evitable that the traditional belief descreases, in other words, the way of believing has changed a lot. This work is just like a shadow of second religious reform. What he has expressed in the poet is a kind of alusia of belief. He tries his best to recall the God here, and let God remove the alusia.Recall the confidence for life by recalling belief.However, in todays society, it is really difficult to recall peoples believes. There is a kind of satire in his tone. Maybe it is just a dream. But the author still wants to stay in the dream.