Kubla Kahn

Analysis of Samuel Coleridges poem Kubla Khan

Analysis of Samuel Coleridge's poem: Kubla Khan

OR, A VISION IN A DREAM.

A FRAGMENT.

This poem has very symmatrical and clear composition. We can divide this poem in two parts.The first part is narrative-discriptive part written in the third person,The second part is lyrical and written in the first person in short verse form.Despite the differences within the poem Kubla Khan possesses the unity of style and atmosphere.

The first part is description of dome and large garden which Kubla Khan arranged for his own pleasure.The dome is described as "stately" and "sunny".The garden is portrayed as earthly heaven.Although surrounded by ancient forests ,it is blooming and bright .The sacred river Alph flows through this garden. The second part is description of the poet's past experience.He depicts the Abyssinian maid playing on her dulcimer and singing of Mount Abora.The images of pleasurable dome and beautiful garden conjure up creativeness.Coleridge refers to pleasures of poetry.The poet is the one who arranges the luxuriance of nature and encloses it with walls and towers.But he is unable to control the sacred river Alph ,his own ability to create poetry.Therefor we can come to conclusion that the first part represents the dialectic of artistic creation.The poet creates with his skill ,but great and magnificent energy of nature gives life to his work.

The Abyssinian maid ,in the second part, represents heavenly muse of poetry ,divine inspiration.

It seems like Coleridge wants to say that if he would have this gift(the gift of playing dulcimer and singing of Mount Abora) he would spontaneously create more beautiful and artistic work.But the public would