Shiza Nadeem 201670176

Noor ul Huda 201670167 1

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF HASSAN BASIT’S POEM “LIFE IS IN

MOTION” BY USING I.A. RICHARDS’ CLOSE READING METHOD

Shiza Nadeem 201670176

Noor ul Huda 201670167

ENG - 329 – Literary Criticism

Department of English, GIFT University

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF HASSAN BASIT’S POEM “LIFE IS IN MOTION” BY USING

I.A. RICHARDS’ CLOSE READING METHOD ......................................................................... 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ 2

Abstract: .......................................................................................................................................... 3

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Research Question ............................................................................................................ 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................... 4

2.1 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................................... 4

TEXTUAL ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................. 5

3.1 Theme ................................................................................................................................... 5

3.2 Critique ................................................................................................................................. 5

3.3 Other Literary Devices .......................................................................................................... 6

CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................... 7

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 7
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Abstract: From the perspective of I.A. Richards’ close reading method, this paper critically

analyses and appreciates the poem “Life is in Motion” and explores its themes and other rhetoric

and literary devices. In tune with the close reading method, or the method of practical criticism,

this analysis is purely based on the contents of the text and allows a brief view of a reader’s

perspective.

INTRODUCTION

“Life is in Motion” is a didactic poem that encourages the reader to step out of their comfort

zone and to face all hardships of one’s life with confidence and courage. It is a poem that

emphasizes the importance of pursuing one’s dreams with determination, of reaching for your

goals with full resolve and will. “Life is in Motion” emphasizes the fact that life is full of

endeavours and to experience life to its fullest, one must keep moving forward regardless of all

hardships. The poem evokes a feeling of motivation that is hopeful without being too

overbearing, and subtly encourages the reader that life is waiting for you to rush out and find

adventures for yourself. Moreover, it emphasizes that life is full of obstacles and hardships, but

one must remain resilient and courageous in the face of such hard times and aim to conquer over

these difficulties and keep moving forward.

1.1 Research Question

This paper will aim to critically analyse the poem “Life is in Motion” using I.A Richard’s close

reading method. For this purpose, the text of the poem will be analysed to explore its themes,

poetic and sound devices as well as the rhetoric or literary devices and how the use of these

devices aids in the emphasis of the theme of the poem.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The general methodology adapted for critical appreciation of the poem is qualitative analysis.

Because the poem is being studied through I.A. Richards’ close reading method, it was evitable

to understand close reading method as well as practical criticism introduced by I.A. Richards.

For this purpose, the reading materials majorly used were I.A. Richards’ book, “Practical

Criticism” and the poem “Life is in Motion” without prior knowledge of the poet. Afterwards,

the poem was analysed to explore several devices such as sound and rhetoric devices used in it

and how these device contributed to emphasizing the theme of the poem.

2.1 Theoretical Framework

The theory applied in the critique of the mentioned poem is I.A. Richards’ practical criticism or

close reading method. “Practical criticism has long been distinguished from biographical,

theoretical, textual and historical criticism by its emphasis on evaluating and interpreting the

literary text from the inside out and by focusing on how the reader might understand the text on

its own terms.” (Tenger, 2015, p. 1) In other words, I.A. Richards proposed a theory which

focuses on textual content rather than a text’s moral, historical or theoretical background. It

emphasizes an objective critique rather than a subjective one, and focuses wholly on what the

text’s content is conveying.

“Practical criticism is a form of literary analysis which focuses exclusively on the text, ignoring

such extraneous factors as authorial intention and historical context.” (Maity, 2020) This close

reading method can be better understood by Richards’ experiment with his students. Richards

gave his students various poems, making sure that the students were not aware of the poets or the

titles of the poems. The students were then told to make their judgements about the poems solely

based on the content of the text they had before them. The results of this experiment are
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published in Practical Criticism: A Study of Literary Judgement (1929), which now has huge

influence in literary studies. (Maity, 2020)

TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

3.1 Theme

The theme of this poem is about the importance of taking risks and embracing the changes and

challenges during the journey of life in order to experience it truly. The poem encourages the

reader to step out of their comfort zone, go out and explore the world, rather than staying in one

place or relying on comfort and safety. It tells us to pursue our dreams with courage,

determination, and enthusiasm. It emphasizes the need to be determined, resilient in the face of

obstacles, to push forward even when faced with setbacks and to aim high and reach for the sky,

also to be imbued with valor and zest. The poem suggests that a life of adventure and

achievement is more fulfilling than a life of caution and complacency. It indicates that that

success and achievement come with falling and rising again, and that there are rules to be

followed in life, regardless of where we come from.

3.2 Critique

The poem encourages the reader to take risks and explore the world around them. The first two

lines of this poem suggest that life is not something that can be hidden or concealed; rather, it is

something that is always present and visible. It emphasizes that life is constantly in motion and is

characterized by change and activity, rather than being static or at rest. This might be interpreted

as an encouragement to embrace the flux and dynamism of life, rather than resisting or trying to

control it. The imagery of rushing out and daring to explore different worlds creates a sense of
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excitement and adventure. This might be interpreted as an encouragement to embrace the flux

and dynamism of life, rather than resisting or trying to control it.

The line "You will find nothing in the nest" suggests that one must venture out to find

opportunities and success. The poem also emphasizes the importance of perseverance and a

strong will to overcome challenges. The use of words such as "defy hardships" and "broad and

stiff should be your chest" encourages the reader to remain determined and courageous in the

face of adversity.

The poem concludes with the idea that while setbacks may occur, it is important to continue

striving towards success with valor and zest. The line "Pertinent rule either East or West"

suggests that the advice offered in the poem is applicable to anyone, regardless of their

geographical location.

Overall, the poem encourages the reader to embrace life's challenges and strive for excellence

with courage and determination.

3.3 Other Literary Devices

In this poem, there are several examples of alliteration in the poem, such as "broad and stiff" and

"sprint, soar, and excel" and the phrase "broad and stiff should be your chest" is a metaphor for

the need to be strong and resilient in the face of challenges. The poem also uses enjambment to

create a sense of continuity and flow, with some lines carrying over into the next without a pause

or punctuation mark. One more important literary device, which is used in this poem, is

personification, to add emphasis and poetic flair to the message being conveyed. Firstly, the

poem personifies "Life", giving it the characteristics of being in motion and not at rest. Secondly,

the use of word “nest” is personified as if it is hiding place for something. Overall in this poem,

literary devices are used extensively.

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, “Life is in Motion” is a didactic poem that wholly encourages a life full of vigour

and zest, one that emphasizes the importance of risks and embracing each challenge that one

faces in his life. The poem implores that life is a linear path of motions and one should prove this

by continuously moving forward, seeking new heights and aiming for the sky. One should be

confident and bold in facing each problem that life throws their way, and even if one falls down

and is overpowered by a challenge, he should get back up and keep moving on. All success and

achievements are products of never giving up; this is a universal rule irrespective of our origin or

background.

REFERENCES

Basit, H. (2017). Taciturnity. Lahore: BAZM-E-FAQIR PAKISTAN.

Maity, S. (2020, December 22). A short note on Practical Criticism by I A Richards. Retrieved

March 28, 2023, from literaryocean: https://literaryocean.com/a-short-note-on-practical-

criticism-by-i-a-richards/

Tenger, Z. (2015). "Practical Criticism.". 1-6.