Sound and the Psychological Dimension & Poem of the Week

 

Various characteristics of words affect the psychological dimension of language.

The mere sound of a word may produce a pleasing effect which another word of the same meaning lacks.  In "Silver" by Walter de la Mare, the poet's substitution of words like shoon for shoes and casements for windows are examples of the poet's use of sound to create a psychological effect.

SILVER

Slowly, silently, now the moon

Walks the night in her silver shoon;

This way, and that, she peers, and sees

Silver fruit upon silver trees;

One by one the casements catch

Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;

Couched in his kennel, like a log

With paws of silver sleeps the dog;

From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep

Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep;

A harvest mouse goes scampering by,

With silver claws and a silver eye;

And moveless fish in the water gleam

By silver reeds in a silver stream.

                - Walter de la Mare

Source: "The Trivium: The Liberal Arts of Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric", Sister Miriam Joseph

"The poem begins with the speaker stating that the light of the moon is casting down on earth. This occurs while, 'she,' the moon, moves slowly through the sky. The moon is taking its time, choosing to look at everything on Earth while 'she' has the chance."

"Some of the creatures and objects that are spotted and therefore cast in 'silver light' are the 'casements' of windows, doves, a dog, and sleeping fish. These creatures and objects are perfectly mundane and ordinary. There is nothing remarkable about them during the day, but at night they are enhanced and made more beautiful."

mundane (adj.) - characterized by the practical, temporary, and ordinary; commonplace.

Source: Silver