American literature essay. Literary analysis of works and characters - Sykalo Evgen 2023

“American Sonnet”: Fatherhood in Four Feet: Negotiating the Everyday Absurd in Collins's Domestic Portrait
Billy Collins

Billy Collins's "American Sonnet" is not merely a lighthearted celebration of fatherhood; rather, it is a complex portrayal of everyday life, a dance between the ridiculous and the commonplace, where love and joy coexist with the difficulties of parenting a little child. Collins creates a funny yet moving examination of parenthood inside the structure of the sonnet, embracing the follies and pleasures of parenting a "four-foot tyrant" while navigating the day-to-day challenges of this position.

The Mundane as the Breeding Ground of the Absurd: Collins grounds the reader with everyday household elements in the opening lines of his poem. A typical day with a small child is vividly shown by the "alphabet blocks transformed into siege weapons," the "peanut butter smudges," and the "dinosaurs...roaming the living room floor." But even seemingly unremarkable elements have a hint of absurdity to them, emphasizing the humorous turmoil that frequently characterizes fatherhood. The kid's plastic dinosaur toys transform into ferocious creatures, the letter blocks serve as weapons of mass destruction, and peanut butter is a gooey reminder of the untidy delights of motherhood.

The Sonnet Form as a Cage and a Canvas: Collins uses the rigid rhyme scheme and meter of the sonnet form itself as a cage and a canvas for his investigation. The form's confines are a reflection of the ever-present obligations and demands that can often feel constrictive that come with being a father. Collins, however, finds creative license within this framework, playing on the playful potential of the sonnet to exaggerate, criticize, and finally celebrate the absurdity of the circumstance. The rhyme scheme, with its capricious combinations such as "shoes" and "muse," contributes to the playful tone of the poem, while the meter, which errs sometimes, captures the disorderly nature of home life.

Handling the Absurd with Love and Laughter: In the end, the poem is a celebration of parenthood in spite of the absurdities. The speaker's affection for his son is apparent in the humor, as he playsfully interacts with the dinosaurs, tolerates the alphabet's onslaught, and accepts the peanut butter mess. Despite the fact that he understands the inherent ridiculousness of his profession, he welcomes it and uses humor as a coping mechanism to deal with the difficulties and find happiness in the unexpected.

The Child as a Growth Catalyst: The speaker's personal development is aided by the child, who is never explicitly mentioned. The poem alludes to a change, a move from the "self-absorbed cocoon" of maturity to the accepting environment of parenthood. The speaker himself rediscovers surprise and playfulness by accepting the child's world of dinosaurs and letter fights. Despite how ridiculous their shared experience may seem, it serves as a reminder of their common humanity and builds a connection between the father and son.

In conclusion, "American Sonnet" is proof of poetry's eternal ability to find beauty and humor in the ordinary. Collins reminds us that, despite its difficulties, fatherhood is a journey full of love, humor, and the unexpected through his deft use of the sonnet form and his lighthearted investigation of the ridiculous. Fathers, like the speaker, can negotiate the home environment with a smile, finding delight in the four-foot tyranny that draws them closer to their children and to themselves by accepting the messy realities and relishing the shared absurdities.

Remember that this is only the beginning of your essay. You can delve deeper into each topic by examining particular instances from Collins's poem and by examining the language, themes, and images that are employed to illustrate these concepts. Additionally, you can think about adding your own interpretations and insights and making links to the works of other poets or philosophers. A constant tone and style should be used throughout your essay, and don't forget to credit your sources.