The Lies of Roses

H.D’s “Sea Rose” more effectively challenges the symbolism and image that roses have built up over time by subservting what the readers expect when seeing the word rose, when compared to Adrianna Puente’s “The Rose and The Poppy.” When one begins to analyse a poem, the first thing that the reader notices would be the title, and in said title one sees the word rose; due to the constant use of roses in human culture, one immediately pictures a flower full of vitality, color, and allure and also one can think of romance. Now taking this idea and reading the first, there is a stark division between the image of a beautiful rose and a “harsh rose,” this allows for the reader to form the idea that the poem will not be singing praises of the rose, but rather attempt to deconstruct the rose. The “harsh rose” no longer gives the impression of a flower which one would want to receive but rather one which one would attempt to avoid.
This becomes further emphazied by the diction in the next line in which the rose is “marred and with stint of petals.” The manner in which the rose is described, “marred,” showcases that the rose is not the picturesque flower that comes to mind, but rather a rose which is disfigured or of subpar beauty. The flower which should symbolize one’s undying adoration for another, now has become a decrepit version of itself, thus beginning to dismantle what the rose stands for. A person attempting to woo another would not give their beloved a “meagre flower, thin, / sparse of leaf,” as this would seem like an insult rather than a proclamation of love. When one thinks of what makes a rose grand, the first image that appears would be a bouquet of roses, lush in color and leaves, the grand opposite of what is showcased in the poem. The flower which should be full of adoration has now become a twisted version of itself, and insead of inspiring admiration simply compels a look of disgust due to it “[driping] such acrid fragrance” which repels love.
Isaac Ruiz

Imperfections

There are many symbols of a rose. Some may see it as a symbol of love, pain or death, but it also represents a woman’s perfections and imperfections. After analyzing both poems, I found H.D’s “Sea Rose” poem to be the most effective in challenging the traditional symbol of the rose. The poem questions the conventional meaning of the rose by contrasting a flawed rose with a beautiful rose and narrating the journey of the sea rose, which has imperfections that make it difficult for it to survive in the environment, with the easy existence of the spice-rose.

This poem has a lot of imagery, which is important when challenging the traditional rose. A traditional rose is meant to be perfect and have no flaws. Meaning they have the perfect curves and color, which is what everyone expects from a rose. In this poem, the rose is described as “harsh,” “marred,” “stint,” “meagre,” “thin,” and “sparse.” This rose is being compared to some women and how their characteristics don’t reach the society’s expectations. 

The speaker starts off the poem describing the rough characteristics of the rose. In this poem, the rose is a woman and her imperfections are compared to a rose that is close to death: “harsh rose/ marred and with a stint of petals/ meagre flower thin/ sparse of leaf.” The speaker then starts praising the rose, saying how it’s more special than a traditional rose and independent: “single on a stem.” The situation occurs at a beach when the rose is “caught in the drift.” The speaker starts addressing the reader, saying “you” are the rose. Even though the rose is independent, it is still a small rose: “with small leaf.” Since the rose is seen as a harsh and thin flower, it is still seen as a weak flower. The speaker goes on to say how the rose is being moved and controlled by the environment (society): “flung/ lifted/ drives in the wind.” Stanza 3 shows how the “sea rose” has a hard journey and is fighting to survive against the environment that is trying to keep the rose under control and following their expectations to make the rose perfect. 

The last stanza mentions the spice-rose, which is a traditional rose that has many perfections compared to the sea rose. The sea rose in this poem is shown how it starts off as a weak flower and then has to fight against society and their expectations in order to survive. The spice-rose is seen to have a simple and easy life since it’s already perfect. The poem challenges the traditional symbol of the rose because it compares an imperfect rose to a perfect rose, by showing the journey of the sea rose and how its flaws make it hard for it to survive in the environment, while the spice-rose has an easy life. 

Gurranvir Kaur

Challenging the Rose

H.D.’s poem, titled “Sea Rose”, is most effective in challenging the traditional symbol of the rose compared to Adrianna Puente’s poem, “The Rose and the Poppy”. In the first stanza, the speaker describes a singular rose through a negative tone. The tone has been set by a variety of negative diction used throughout the stanza. Line one begins, “Rose, harsh rose,” (H.D.). This is the speaker addressing the rose, but they immediately call it unappealing. They then continue by calling it “marred”, “stint”, “meagre”, and “thin”. All of these words create a negative image of the first rose being described in the poem. Already, this challenges the traditional notions of romance because not a single good thing is mentioned about the rose. It is not praised for its color or lovely smell. Instead, it is being called “sparse” and “marred”.

In Adrianna Puente’s poem, the first stanza describes exactly what a rose is normally symbolic of. The speaker is a personified poppy that wishes it could be as desired as the “ruby red” rose. It knows that it is not, “a symbol of romance / of new moments to be made, / of old memories to be cherished,” (Puente lines 6-8). These are all things roses are known to be symbolic of. Compared to H.D.’s poem, Puente’s speaker seems envious of the “beautiful rouge” rose that is always picked and loved for what it symbolizes.

By comparing H.D. and Adrianna Puente’s poems about roses, we see that one tries to challenge the romantic symbol of the rose, and the other challenges why that symbol can’t be given to another flower. Puente’s poem accepts and acknowledges the traditional symbolism, so she does a less effective job than H.D. to challenge the symbol.

By Tierney Bowden

Thorns within Tradition

Hilda Doolittle’s poem “Sea Rose” functions as a more effective challenge to the traditional symbolism of the rose when compared to Adrianna Puente’s “The Rose and the Poppy”. The speaker quickly confronts the symbolic meaning within the rose, countering its traditional representation of love and beauty by identifying the harsher and “uglier” aspects of the rose “Rose, harsh rose,. Marred and with stint of petals.” (Doolittle, lines 1-2). The speaker chooses to note the flaws and damage the rose has gone through, causing its traditional beauty to be damaged, leaving the rose “Stunted, with small leaf” (Doolittle, line 9). Ultimately ending the poem with the question “Can the spice-rose. drop such acrid fragrance. hardened in a leaf?” (Doolittle, lines 14-16) asking the reader if beauty can still be found within something damaged and imperfect. The traditional symbolism of the rose is challenged with the idea that beauty still exists within imperfection. The image of a perfect healthy rose is not needed to showcase beauty, instead, the damaged rose serves as a stronger symbol of strength and perseverance. 

Puente’s “The Rose and the Poppy” chooses to speak on the symbolism of the poppy rather than confront the pre-existing symbolism of the rose. The speaker reaffirms the traditional symbolism of the rose but rejects it, choosing to identify with the symbolic nature of the poppy. “I am. Not a ravishing ruby red… I am. Wild in fields of green and blues” (Puente, lines 1-2 & 11-12) By connecting with the ideas of individuality presented by the poppy flower, Puente’s shows that one does not need to relate to the traditional ideas of the rose. Rather one can focus on their own character instead of conforming to pre-existing ideas. While Puente does provide great alternatives to the traditional symbols of the rose, she does not challenge the symbol, instead offering comparisons between the two symbols. It’s for this reason that Hilda Doolittle’s work serves as a more effective challenge to the traditional symbolism of the rose, as it actively confronts and modifies the rose’s meaning, rather than simply providing an alternative.

– Eduardo Ojeda Jr

Embracing Authenticity

Loking at the poems “Sea Rose” by H.D. and “The Rose and the Poppy” by Adrianna Puente. They both come to a leading conclusion of finding beautyand self worth within themselves. H.D. approaches this by stating that true beauty xomes from overcoming struggle but still idnetifying as a rose, damaged and lost then finding confort in themselves. Lines 5-8: “More precious than a wet rose/single on a stem—/you are caught in the drift.” In The Sea Rose, the author refers to themselves as a rose, but a rooz with baggage and newfound strength, which would still somewhat align with the original symbol of a rose,  just not your typical rose, a survivor. This represents the hardships she explained that made her realize the beauty within her. While looking at “The Rose and The Poppy,” on the other hand, also has to do with self-love, but she knows her worth from the get-go.
Furthermore, I think the poem “The Rose and the Poppy” by Adrianna Puente. Looking back on poems read in class, the main traditional symbols of a rose are love, romance, passion, etc. This poem defies the usual love between two people but loves within itself. She is not conforming to how the world thinks a woman should act—instead, she is embracing individuality. The poppies symbolize remembrance and peace, being content with not being so obsessed with the idea of this rose. Although, In no shape or form is the author dimming down the meaning but separating herself from it and understanding that a rose will always symbolize roamance but not associating herself with it due to that feeling of feeling forgotten and embracing individuality outside the norm, Lines (17-20):  “Most times I am forgotten./Rarely chosen/ foreager hands on Valentine’s day-/but I am my own.” Although, In no shape or form is the author dimming down the meaning but separating herself from it. She identifies is the opposite of this symbol of love….peace, and calmness, but she is free-spirited ,adaptive, and capable. In the last of the lines, line: (21-24)In a potpourri of our colors/we each wilt between dried petals-/scenting rooms with our fragrance/Rotting into umber”. Theres an understnding that despite all differnces all will have the same fate. In the end .. they both are Flowers.

Victoria Sasere

The undesired rose

The poem “Sea Rose” is the most effective poem in challenging what the traditional symbol of the rose is. The poem begins with

 “Rose, harsh rose,

marred and with stint of petals,

meagre flower, thin,

sparse of leaf,” 

Right off the bat this rose is very different from the traditional beautiful, lively, colorful flower.

This is not the ideal flower; this is the rose that you leave behind in the store. It is basically 

falling apart on the stem, it’s practically wilted. The rose is then described as

“Stunted, with small leaf,

you are flung on the sand,

you are lifted

in the crisp sand

that drives in the wind.”

This is not what you picture when you picture a rose. This rose seems like a tortured plant that’s 

 only use is its “acrid fragrance.” This is not a lively rose. It’s like a rose that has no problem 

just wilting away to nothing, has no hope. One that is to be smelled but not seen, for it is too 

distraught to look at. This is not what I think about when I think of traditional roses, there is no 

life in it.

-Paris Baker

Special Rose

H.D’s (Hilda Doolittle) poem, “Sea Rose” challenges the traditional symbolic meaning of the rose more effectively thanks to the prominent use of imagery. Specifically on the “Sea Rose” itself and it’s surroundings. We know that the typical symbolism that a rose entails is closely related to love and romance, to be strong and beautiful. H.D takes that symbolism and carves it into her own version of strength and beauty. By beginning the poem with “Rose, Harsh Rose” we immediately think of the traditional rose with it’s thorns, perhaps in foresight we will talk about heartbreak. Instead we get the second line, “marred and with stint of petals”. a wrench is thrown into the works, causing us to be confused. To be Marred means to be blemished with injuries, but why would a beautiful, delicate rose be bruised and blemished along side a “stint”, or limited amount, of petals. It sounds like this rose has taken a beating. “Meagre flower, thin,” stands to mean that this rose is indeed fragile, but not in a delicate way, more in a “on its last legs” way. We get hammered to death with the imagery of worldly cruelty with the final nail “sparse of leaf,”. This whole stanza envelops you into the idea that there is this rose, but it’s not the usual rose that you’d normal be proud to show off, it’s more an “ugly duckling” rose than the ideal symbolic one in our minds. The second stanza offers the speakers view on said rose, calling it “More precious / than a wet rose”. I took these lines as a declaration of the speaker that they would prefer this beaten up rose to a traditional one. “Single on a stem / you are caught in the drift”, this hints that this beaten rose is one of a kind, that there are no other roses like it, being caught in a drift sounds like the ebbing of tides, relating back to the title of the poem. The third stanza begins with “Stunted, with small leaf,”. To be stunted is to be prevented growth, perhaps this rose is weak instead of traditionally being strong, the leaf indicates low growth as you would expect more leaves than a single small one. The next few lines talk about how the rose is flung around on the sand, the sand that which “…drives in the wind.”, I would take this part of the third stanza as more capitalization that this is no ordinary rose, even where it has grown is not usual to what we imagine a rose to have been grown. I personally would imagine grass or dirt but not sand. The final stanza questions if the “Spice rose” can “drip such acrid fragrance / hardened in a leaf?”. I had to research what a “Spice Rose” was, it turns out to be the exact antithesis of the rose talked about in this poem, an ideal rose, a perfect rose, one where our expectations of a rose meets reality. The question asks whether a perfect rose can do the same as this “Sea Rose” can. It makes its mark in wanting to change the expectation of what an ideal rose should be, perhaps this can be translated to people. With how social and gender norms are, this poem would be a great critique on how we could change what we idealize within our society, why do we have to be a certain way. I feel like this poem would be closer to reflect feminism and the want to change how an ideal woman should be, instead of having this ideal image of what a rose should be H.D shows us her ideal rose and how much more beautiful it is rather than what is generally accepted as a beautiful rose.

Roman Arroyo

I am not a rose. I am a free poppy.

‘The Rose and The Poppy’ by Adrianna Puente is most effective in challenging the traditional symbol of the rose. To understand this poem, we need to start with the title. The Rose traditionally symbolizes ‘love’ itself, with its thorns representing ‘pain.’ However, alongside it, The Poppy is traditionally a symbol of ‘Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.’ Yet, in this poem, The Poppy seems to focus more on the efficacy of the flower rather than its traditional meanings. As we know, The Poppy is sometimes associated with a type of narcotic, but it can also be used as a medical remedy. Depending on its use, The Poppy can either harm or heal individuals.

Throughout the poem, the speaker insists that the speaker is not The Rose but The Poppy. The speaker rejects all the symbols associated with The Rose, such as love, friendship, comfort, romance, etc., and claims herself to be a kind of natural flower, The Poppy. Why does the speaker keep asserting that she is not The Rose? While The Rose traditionally symbolizes not only love but also alluring women, the speaker asserts that she is not a captivating woman like The Rose, but rather a flower in nature, inartificial, just one among many people, like The Poppy. As mentioned earlier, The Poppy can be both a remedy and a poison. The speaker states that she may be chosen like The Rose on Valentine’s Day, but she never forgets who she truly is in any situation. The speaker chose The Poppy, which can eventually turn brown like a wildflower in a field, rather than conforming to the traditional symbols of love, friendship, and pain associated with The Rose. And that woman, the speaker, strongly asserts her desire not to play the typical role associated with The Poppy as either poison or remedy, but rather to live freely like the Poppy blooming in the field. By doing so, the speaker effectively rejects the traditional symbols of The Rose. A captivating woman like The Rose is just one among the common 8 billion people, much like The Poppy.

Jisoo Jang

A Rose’s Battle

I believe the most effective poem in challenging the traditional symbol of the rose was “Sea Rose,” by H.D. On the first line, “Rose, harsh rose” was being portrayed for something cruel. A rose is typically a symbol of beauty and love, but this rose is considered displeasing. On lines two through four, it states “marred and with stint of petals, meagre flower, thin, sparse of leaf.” These lines were really focused on the rose’s appearance due to its misfigured and unappealing look which goes against what a traditional rose usually stands for its breathtaking beauty. In other words, this rose is ugly, it has little amount of petals, it is very thin, all in which imagery is present in this stanza and the whole poem. This rose in particular may be referring to a woman, despite her lack of beauty, she is unique.

Although this “rose” is described poorly, on lines five and six it states, “more precious than a wet rose.” A rose that is wet has a bright and a glitter appearance, it could be referring to a blossoming rose. So a rose that is misfigured has a higher value than a rose in blossom. It may also refer to the sea since the water reflects and glitters from bright sources such as the sun and moon. In addition, on line eight states, “you are caught in the drift” which is portraying the sea as rough, but the rose is staying firm in the drift. That being said, traditionally the rose is seen as delicate but this rose is strong and independent in the drifting sea.

Which appoints my next lines of reasoning, nine through thirteen continue to describe the environment of the sea but with the wind being rough. On lines nine and ten it states, “Stunted, with small leaf, you are flung on the sand” in which the rose or woman is tossed by the many brutal battles of the world. Even though the rose is put through a harsh environment, the rose is “lifted in the crisp sand that drives in the wind,” according to lines eleven through thirteen. In other words, through the hardships of life being thrown to this rose, it continues to stay put but also sounds like the rose is flying across the breeze, as though to say the woman wants to be free from all that life is pushing onto her. Traditionally, a rose is meant to be kept with care but this rose is kept in harsh environments that can harm it.

Furthermore, on lines fourteen through fifteen, “Can the spice-rose drip such acrid fragrance hardened in a leaf?” This is the only line that had a question mark instead of a period because it is asking of its questionable and strong fragrance. The spice-rose can be interpreted as saying that the strong fragrance is the brutal environment in the woman’s life. In addition, the poet somewhat makes it seem as though a spice-rose and a rose are to be compared. Basically to portray that the rose may look like it is losing its strength but, it is able to create its own fragrance. A rose typically has a beautiful smell but this rose is overpoweringly displeasing.

With that being said, I don’t believe Adrianna Puente really challenged the traditional symbol of the rose because it didn’t seem like it was well captured. In a sense that the rose isn’t only taking part but a poppy as well, which really drives away from the idea of a traditional rose. In addition to this, I thought the rose wasn’t really part of this poem, it mostly was speaking of the orchards, tangerines, and “Electric orange.” However, this poem did contain lots of imagery and diction. The formatting was really interesting on how “I am” was used as a repetition on the first and second paragraph, to indicate that this is what they are resembling or not.

Celeste Tejeda-Menera

A Poppy by Any Other Name

Between H.D.’s “Sea Rose” and Adriana Puente’s “The Rose and The Poppy”, “Sea Rose” is more effective at challenging the traditional symbol of the rose. The speaker contradicts a typical perfect, delicate, feminine, and soft rose by describing this rose as “harsh” and “marred and with stint of petals” (lines 1-2). The rose is disfigured, lacking, and inadequate. Again, the rose is “meager”, “thin”, and “sparse” (lines 3-4). The rose is lacking in petals, leaves, and size. It does not measure up to the ideal beauty of a rose. Roses are typically in a bush, garden, bouquet, or vase. This rose is “caught in the drift” and “flung on the sand” (lines 8 and 10). Most roses given as gifts are cared for and thoughtfully selected. This rose is in a situation that is foreign to others: it is caught in a wild wind and tossed around without care. The speaker’s use of apostrophe links readers to the rose. A person who is lacking (in some respect) will not be treated like a traditional, cherished rose. That inadequate person will be flung around by a careless wind. However, there is a freedom in the unrestrained movement of the sand and wind (that a typical rose would not experience). This rose nears turbulent waters that other roses would never see. Similarly, this rose-person will be enlightened by experiences and struggles that other—more perfect—people would never face. Although it is not clear whether or not H.D. is the speaker, H.D.’s struggles with her parents likely impacted the rose’s journey in this poem. H.D.’s distant father and mother’s favoritism towards her brother paint of picture of disappointment.

In “The Rose and The Poppy”, the speaker does not challenge the traditional symbol of the rose for a majority of the poem. The first stanza draws on traditional symbolic meanings of a rose. The speaker does not identify with being a rose because they do not meet the traditional expectations that come with being “the flower you give to a lover, / or a token of comfort you give to a friend in the hospital” (lines 4-5). The speaker identifies all of a rose’s traditional connotations but compares themself to a poppy that is “wild in a field of greens and blues. / Electric orange-” (lines 12-13). The speaker abandons roses rather than challenging or altering a rose’s meaning. A rose’s traditional meaning does not align with the speaker’s identity, so they chose a different flower to represent themselves. Later, the speaker acknowledges that everyone mixes together in a “potpourri of our colors” (line 21). These flowers are dried and dull with petals falling apart. This contradicts the typical, lively and lush rose symbol. Roses are valued for their beauty, fullness, and fragrance, but these flowers have undergone a major transformation. In a potpourri, roses and poppies alike will “each wilt between dried petals – / scenting rooms with our fragrance / Rotting into umber” (lines 22-24). In the end, everything dies and leaves marks on its surroundings (like that fragrance). Rose and poppies are both susceptible to time and meet their ends in the same dark, rotted state. Although these flowers have different paths, they are indistinguishable from each other in their final moments.

~Miki Chroust