Daniel Harting
Period Five
April 14, 2011

“Song of the River”: Literary Analysis

In the poem “Song of the River” William Randolph Hearst uses rhyme scheme, alliteration, and imagery to illustrate his overall idea of the relationship between the cycle of life and the course of a river. He uses such devices to express the revolving cycles of a river and how its life span and rebirth correlates with life, death, and afterlife. The rhyme scheme the author creates in the poem has a rhythm which mimics the flow of life and a river. Throughout the poem Hearst describes the cycle of a river and then describes the cycle of life. He then incorporates a rhyme scheme which flows nonstop from start to finish. Within this scheme lies the evolving message in which Hearst is illustrating. The rhyme scheme also relates closely to the tone of the poem which is a peaceful calm tone following the movement of water into its rebirth and the transition of one’s life into the afterlife. Hearst creates the quotation “and the river flows to the sea, and the water again goes back in rain to the hills where is used to be” in order to demonstrate and clearly express the flow of a river to the sea using both rhyme scheme and tone. Lastly as Hearst’s message continues as does the rhyme scheme and tone seen in the words “till it reached the silent sea.” Hearst is comparing the river as is reaches “the silent sea” and life as it reaches the afterlife using the same tone and rhyme scheme as seen throughout the entire poem.
Hearst uses several examples of alliteration throughout the poem closely relating to the analogy of the course of life and water. Hearst once again uses alliteration to help the flow and tone of the poem. First the poem begins with the water as it “runs down the riotous river” and then follows the river as until it reaches the “silent sea.” Using such alliterations not only helps the poet plainly suggest the flow of water but also expresses the flow of the poem. Much like the course of life Hearst suggests all lives come to an end whether they are human or something as simple as a river. He also suggests as the river reaches the “silent sea” humans are reaching the “silent shore.” From such devices the idea of all lives coming to an end are greatly impacted by the alliterations Hearst creates and give much influence on the overall conceptions and implications of the poem. Throughout the poem Hearst uses broth audible and visual imagery. “The snow melts on the mountain and the water runs down to the spring” are the opening lines of the poem and instantaneously illustrate the setting for the rest of the poem. Hearst’s main goal is to display and mimic the relationship of the flow of water and the course of life. From the opening lines the image of water running down to the spring gives more insight about Hearst’s message and sets up the foundation for the rest of the poem. As the poem continues, the song of the river is expressed through the “song of youth to sing.” This audible imagery is what also makes the poem one of a calm and peaceful tone. After this bit, the song of the river can be heard throughout the poem giving a harmonious tone and imagery flowing until the end. Overall the poem gives immense examples of imagery and beautifully articulates the poet’s message and theme. Using alliteration, imagery and rhyme scheme William Randolph Hearst is able to express and beautifully articulate the correlates portrayed amongst the flow of life and the course of a river.