Introduction to English literature

Love is a human emotion the majority of us have experienced, Will experience or yearn to experience throughout ones life. The relationships between people have massive effects on individuals and it brings with it so many other emotions such as happiness, pain, humour, guilt, hate, jealousy and so many more. This assignment will discuss how the poems “Ballad” which is a traditional poem with an unknown author “The Sick Equation” by Brian Patten and the Short story Brackley and the Bed” by Sam Selvon, depict love and relationships the effect the writer has on the audience and also how the texts reflect social issues.
In the traditional style poem “Ballad” the writer uses short regular rhyming verses to tell the story of a young maid who falls in love with a shepherd. The writer portrays the maid as the Protagonist and the victim of a love crime from early on in the poem for example.
“ He stole away my liberty, when my poor heart was strange to men. He came and smiled and stole it then.”
(Lines 2 – 4)
The writer describes the antagonist Shepherd as “faithless” and a “rogue” who seemingly promised the young innocent maid the world but in return took her virginity, impregnated her then left her in a depressed suicidal state.
“He promised beds as fine as silk, and sheets for love as white as milk. But he when won my heart astray let me to want a bed of clay.”
(Lines 21 -24)
The writer’s use of contrasts in this poem is very effective and paints the picture of a whirlwind romance using the seasons as a metaphor. The summer brings with it long hot days and romantic nights. While the cold bitter chill of winter, brings long lonely nights.
“When summer brought no fears to fright, he came to guard me every night. When winter did darkly prove, none came to guard me or to love.”
(Lines 9 – 12)
This is a very familiar story and