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Comment 18 of 18, added on November 19th, 2009 at 10:01 PM.
"Chinks" isn't an onomatopoeia because it isn't a sound. Or at least not in this context. Think of a chink as a small chip or a dent for the plant to take root in.
And thank you for campaigning for correct grammar. Always a noble cause.
Jacob from United States
Comment 17 of 18, added on September 24th, 2009 at 12:39 PM.
"Root Cellar" is a richly vivid description of just that: a root cellar. In combination with the use of sensory images, Roethke use alliteration, "bulbs broke" "boxes," and onomatopoeia, "chinks," to underscore the struggle to survive--and the tenacity of the will to live despite horrid conditions. Consider the "stink" in a concentration camp, even in these deplorable conditions life fought on.
And on the petty side, "your" is not a catch-all word: "you're" means you are, and "your" is the possessive pronoun. Further, there are 3 different meanings for the 3 words (there, their, and they're)that sound the same. Please, learn the basics before you post your comments.
Sharon from United States
Comment 16 of 18, added on June 23rd, 2009 at 3:22 PM.
A remark to all of the comments: nobody can be sure what this poem is really about unless you are Theodore Roethke, which your not. We all have opinions to what this poem is about, whether it is about life, sex, or anything else. If you can support your answer with examples from the poem, then you are "right". There is no right or wrong here. Use these opinions to formulate your own ideas whether you agree with them or not. Don't criticize others for what they think!
Heather from United States
Comment 15 of 18, added on June 16th, 2009 at 6:30 PM.
in addition to the last comment, i think it's about a life force that cannot be repressed, whether in humans or plants. the parallel is that in both biolocially puzzling and emotionally difficult environments, there can be seen a will to survive that is often both surprising and inspiring. a root cellar is a place where these "bulbs" and "pulpy stems" still have some life in them, though it seems they are pushed to a dark corner in order to die or be forgotten. some of the imagery like "broke out of boxes, hunting for chinks in the dark" and "lolling obscenely from mildewed crates" suggests the errie and stubborn defiance of these life forms.
sarab from United States
Comment 14 of 18, added on March 3rd, 2009 at 10:18 PM.
This poem is about a root cellar that forms a parallel to a human life, and that human life at the end gains the hope to live which is conveyed in the dirt.
wrenn
Comment 13 of 18, added on April 17th, 2006 at 8:00 PM.
Okay first of all there is no sexual implacation in this poem. the line, "and what a congress of stinks!" means what a comming together or meeting of smells that the cellar holds. Congress can mean sex, that is not what the poem is saying. b/c he goes on to list the smells and im pretty sure sex doesnt smell like leaf-mold.
riley from United States
Comment 12 of 18, added on April 6th, 2006 at 8:10 AM.
If you want to know why some people think there is a part of this poem that's about sexuality, then look up the word "congress" in the dictionary. Look down through the definitions until you see the 3rd or 4th or 5th one.
This poem has a whole lot of stuff in it about things wanting life -- the shoots and bulbs and things. But it's also slimy, and stinky, because some things ahve died. So the poem is probably a lot about life and death, and sex is part of that. Not in the "ooh-baby" sense, but like how it's connected to reproducing, you know? I think you can talk about sex and sexual imagery without being gross, just sort of as a symbol.
Shire from United States
Comment 11 of 18, added on January 24th, 2006 at 9:36 PM.
ok wow i read these posts...and personally i think u guys have no life...i'm 14 and doing an assignment on this......maybe just maybe..the author went into a root cellar that looked like this.....and whoever found sexual imagery out of this has not been laid.
Saad from United States
Comment 10 of 18, added on November 29th, 2005 at 4:30 PM.
This is outrageous! Where are these people coming from! I'm here to understand the poem better. Instead I get the stupidity of the people who provided these comments(except for the last two). Anyway, I personally think that Roethke is trying to find himself. The last line portrays that he wants to discover his inner self. He wants to be free from his dark side. After all he was addicted to alcohol. He didn't want to give up life so easily. He wanted live life to his full extent. This theme is also portrayed in his other poems, such as "Epidermal Macabre" and "In a Dark Time."
Amena from United States
Comment 9 of 18, added on August 18th, 2005 at 1:55 AM.
roots and bulbs trying to get free, reach for life in the darkness- it is the life force herein described, as recalled by the son of florists who grew there own flowers, but it is not necesaary to know anything about the poet to understand what he is describing--did you never see a patatoe trying to break free of the dark drawer in the fridge, and how it smelled when you had to clean up after this sad little plant no longer of use to you nor to itself
umendadz from Lithuania
This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
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"Chinks" isn't an onomatopoeia because it isn't a sound. Or at least not in this context. Think of a chink as a small chip or a dent for the plant to take root in.
And thank you for campaigning for correct grammar. Always a noble cause.
Jacob from United States