Religion in Harwoods Poetry Essay Example For Students

Religion in Harwoods Poetry Essay In The Glass Jar, Hardwood uses the contrast between light and dark, good and evil through dealing with an Individuals perception of the universe and the notion of children learning through experience during the transformation from childhood innocence to adulthood. The sun is used as a symbol for security and plays the role as a savior. Religious imagery such as disciples is used to express the childs faith and belief in the pulse of light beside his bed. The use of the word pulse is significant as it presents the light as a form of life. The boys faith is conveyed in the use of the words bless and exorcise which is the power the boy believes the light has to overcome the monsters that ringed his bed and create a holy common place of field and flower. The use of the oxymoron Is significant as the boy attempts to make an ordinary childrens bedroom a sacred place where demons are unwelcome and where he will be safe. The holy and religious images of the first two stanzas entrant with the devilish images in the following stanzas. In the last stanza the words resurrected sun is also a religious imagery of the resurrection of Christ and it symbolisms that hope isnt lost for the sun has risen again to save the child and banish his fears. This poem mocks traditional conventions of religion and family through the fact that the mother has her back turned when the boy needs her, creating a sense of betrayal and false hope in God.