FREE ESSAY ON TWO HANGOVERS

TWO HANGOVERS

"Two Hangovers"
Throughout the poem "Two Hangovers" many vivid and descriptive images are given by the
author. The images the reader gets are cold, lonely, and dark as some think winter to be;
however, in the second part the reader receives an image of bright colors which could be
interpreted as a time of renewal, spring, or a time when things are looking up. Imagery
and metaphors are used to show the reader the feeling and life depiction of the person in
the poem while portraying the image that reflects this. In "Two Hangovers," James Wright
uses imagery and metaphors to illustrate a harsh winter changing into spring, and how he
feels and acts during these seasons.
As he slouches in bed, a description of the bare trees and an old woman gathering coal
are given to convey to the reader an idea of the times and the author's situation. "All
groves are bare," and "unmarried women (are) sorting slate from arthracite." This image
operates to tell the reader that it is a time of poverty, or a "yellow-bearded winter of
depression." No one in the town has much to live for during this time. "Cold trees" along
with deadness, through the image of "graves," help illustrate the author's impression of
winter. Wright seems to be hibernating from this hard time of winter, "dreaming of green
butterflies searching for diamonds in coal seams." This conveys a more colorful and happy
image showing what he wishes was happening; however he knows that diamonds are not in
coal seams and is brought back to the reality of winter. He talks of "hills of fresh
graves" while dreaming, relating back to the reality of what is "beyond the streaked
trees of (his) window," a dreary, povern-strucken, and cold winter. 
The end of Number one also reinforces the impression of winter. The image of a sparrow,
generally a brown or dark bird, that "sings of the Hanna Coal 
Co. and the dead moon," reinforces the description of winter once again, because there is
no life during winter as opposed to a harvest moon in fall when it is warm, life is good,
and food is plenty. "The filaments of cold light bulbs tremble," gives a very cold image
and it is like music, but he can not listen to it. This symbolizes he wants this coldness
of winter to end, just like he wants the unpleasant sound to stop.
"(He) tries to waken and greet the world once again." In Number Two Wright begins with
the description of a "brilliant blue jay" that "is springing up and down." This image is
very happy. Blue is a bright color, along with the repetitive action of joy. This
symbolizes spring, a time when the birds come out and new life grows. The author is happy
to see the winter has gone, he laughs, and now he can actually go out into the world once
again. He assures the reader of his confidence by what he states about the bird springing
on the branch, "for he knows as well as I do that the branch will not break." There is no
ice left, so the branch is not frozen. The trees are healthy, groves are coming to life,
and now he can dream of happy things other than graves and coal. 
Throughout each of the previous examples given, imagery and metaphors are used together.
Imagery conveys a picture in the reader's mind in order to metaphorically describe a
situation or time along with the changes of the seasons. Wright uses imagery of cold and
dead objects to stand for winter. For him, winter is a bad time because it is very hard
to endure coldness especially while being poor. He chose not to leave his bed, as if in a
drunken state, hinting the use of the term "hangover." The second time he awakes his
images show bright colors and happiness through laughter. Branches are strong, meaning
things are growing like in spring. Altogether the poem is leading to his depiction of his
life where he lives, where winters are harsh and spring and summer are the only times he
chooses to go out into the world and be happy. He uses imagery to portray his life to
readers in a form of art. This poem was very descriptive and draws the reader inside the
house with the author through great visualization. Overall the poem represents a very
good example of how imagery and metaphors work together to give an overall external and
internal view of the authors story.