Compare the treatment of the subject between "Bavarian Gentians" and "Ship of Death".

David Herbert Lawrence, an English novelist and poet ranked among the most influential and controversial literary figures of the twentieth century. Lawrence was born on September 11th, 1885, in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire. He abandoned traditional poetic form and advocated the use of free verse.

The two poems being discussed, "Bavarian Gentians" and "Ship of Death" were both written near the time of Lawrence's death. He had been suffering from tuberculosis. He is well aware that he is going to die soon, and emphasizes the transition of time. However, the tone is different in both poems. "Bavarian Gentians" was written before "Ship of Death" and it is seen that the emotions are more controlled in the former. In the latter, he is not sure of what is in store for him and there is great intensity of emotions resulting in some sections of the poem to get hysterical. Both poems deal with the emotions felt during the journey to death and life thereafter.

[Portrait of Juan Tizol(?) and Lawrence Brown(?), ...

Leighton depicts Hermes helping Persephone to retu...

English: D H Lawrence Birthplace Museum, Eastwood,...

In "Bavarian Gentians" the structure is far more neat, compact and economical. On the other hand, in "Ship of Death" the structure is sprawling. It seems to be a conglomeration of Lawrence's thoughts put together as the come to his mind. "Ship of Death" appears to be a long-winded poem and lacks the unity of "Bavarian Gentians". It is an incoherent poem. Though both poems deal with the same subject, the inspirations for both poems are entirely different. . "Bavarian Gentians" may have been inspired from the vase of showy blue flowers in Lawrence's house as he lay a sick and dying man. Lawrence was a nature poet and his excitement at describing these flowers has been implied. Perhaps the descriptions are only to recapture the kind of emotions the flower evokes in sensitive people. The image...