Analysis Of The Poem For Whom The Bellstone - 764 Words

The ideas presented in John Donne’s poem For Whom the Bell Tolls, heavily contrast the ideas presented in Paul Simon’s song, I Am a Rock. John Donne demonstrates that we are all apart of humanity and mankind and how all humans have a connection with one another. Paul Simon contrasts this overall idea by demonstrating that people are sick of society and want to be isolated from humanity. The information presented by John Donne and Paul Simon are unique, but have very contrasting ideas as they pertain to humanity. One clear contrast between the pieces of literature, are two specific lines. In Donne’s poem, he states â€Å"No man is an island,† while Simon states in his song that â€Å"I am an island.† The island represents the isolation from†¦show more content†¦Simon uses several phrases to demonstrate the protection built to separate oneself from humanity. For example, â€Å"I’ve built walls, a fortress deep and mighty that none my peneratre.† A person can choose to build a fortress where they can be safe from attack, safe from pain, and hence never need to shed any tears. The room that is cozy as a womb becomes a tomb. The heart, given enough time, will become hard and incapable of any feeling. Simon uses an individual who is hurt, to showcase the retreat to safety. This is okay for a certain extent of time, but sadly, some stay inside. They hide in their fortress, like a turtle drawn into its armored shell. John Donne contrasts this idea using t he line â€Å"A part of the main,† and implies everyone is together and how living in solitude is not living, but only existing. John Donne’s poem demonstrates we all have a role within the world, and our contributions are never ignored, hence the last line, â€Å"It tolls for thee,† referencing funeral bells. The last line implies that the bell rings for you, the reader, and how you are acknowledged as a human being and as a member of society. Paul Simon’s song contrasts this idea with the last four lines of the song, â€Å"I am a rock, I am an island, and a rock feels no pain, and an island never cries.† The song is a declaration of an individual who was not a rock, but needed people, and had been