Desiderata -poem-summary

The word "desiderata" in Latin means "things desires" and is a widely famous poem written by Max Ehrmann (1937) for her daughter to give her day-to-day life practical advice, religious philosophy, morals, and ethics.

Poem: Desiderata
Written by: Max Ehrmann
Born: September 12, 1872, in Terre Haute, Indiana, to a German family
Death: September 9, 1945
Writer: American writer who often wrote on spiritual themes
The poem was written in the Early 1920s
Study: Studied English at De Pauw University
(went to Harvard to study law and philosophy)
Copyrighted: 1927
Length: 46 lines

This poem is a piece of advice from a father to his daughter, explaining why it is sound advice. The poet offers a positive outlook and explains that the world is full of fraud, chaos, loneliness, drabness, misery, hypocrisy, and mean people. It is an inspirational poem that makes people change their perception of the world, faces its cruel reality, and appreciate its beauty. If people want to lead a happy and fruitful life, they must follow specific guidelines that guide them with tips for surviving in this world. The poem consists of eight unequal stanza's help you to understand the way of life and increase faith and belief in the practicality of life. It tells us how to be joyful and peaceful and makes us aware of our weaknesses. The poem teaches you how to stay calm and assertive in odd situations. It tells you how to face the trouble of your life and move toward a world of compassion.

Explanation: These lines explain to remain calm in life's daily hustle and bustle and practice silence. We must find our peace, silence, and calm inside or outside. One must be on good terms with people without giving up assertiveness and personal values or losing our truth; we'll be kind to everyone. Instead of being argumentative, one should remain calm in interactions with others, and when a person is dull or ignorant, you should be respectful and attentive. Everyone has their own story, their truth. That's why they need to be heard with regard, and we must respect others' truths.

Avoid loud and aggressive people because their mindset can upset your equilibrium. It will always be a bitter experience to compare yourself with other people because people can be great and less than you. Instead, one must enjoy achievements and plans and be happy with our accomplishments.

The poet asks you to be proud of whatever you do for a living, treasure it, and always put your best into your work. Keep your morals and values high in your business and follow all rules and regulations. Instead of unemployment, you always focus on your career and reach your goal. Keep yourself updated and alert in conducting financial transactions because the world is full of tricky people who attempt to dupe you. But if there are fraudsters and con men around us, some people are also there with high moral standards. So, find good people because they are real heroes in every walk of life.

Here, Ehrmann talks about "things of youth," i.e., youth's current problems. Changing fashion highly affects youth, and becomes vulnerable and susceptible to false ideologies. This gives birth to many problems for the youth of our time, and even they don't know how to deal with them. Youths easily attract to fake things and get attached to them. To act smart, they pretend to be the person they are not. They pretend to love, having feelings that don't exist in their heart. These are the most terrible circumstances to survive, leaving a lifetime of pain in their mind and body. To bear these circumstances, the poet suggested obeying your ears and taking the wisdom of the older generation. Strength of spirit should be nurtured to shield ourselves from the sudden misfortune of life. We shouldn't imagine bad things or think that may never happen, and this comes to mind because your mind feels lonely and exhausted.

Now, poet wants to say that everyone deserves a good life in this universe. We must discipline ourselves and become gentle with ourselves to know ourselves better. We all are children of the universe, like trees and stars, without which the whole world is incomplete. Keep yourself simple, and don't try to be overly self-critical because we are just a part of the universe, and nothing in the universe waits for us. Everyone should follow the universal truths of life and never run short of peace on our sole, especially in times of trouble and danger.

The poet asks you to accept God's power because this almighty is more significant than a human being. Every moment we must remember that the world is a beautiful place where we can lead a happy and cheerful life despite all the negativities. Whatever your struggle in this noisy world and life, one day, God will pay for your struggles. Despite all the harsh realities of the world and life, this world is a beautiful place to live with your whole soul and heart. Try to be happy and cheerful in every cracky moment. Through this, we can find the meaning and purpose in life and the only method to grow in the fullness of life.

"Desiderata" poem tone

The tone of the poem Desiderata is didactic, i.e., it is a morally instructional prose poem. This poem is advice from a father to his daughter, which has been taken to heart by many people who wish to live authentic lives after publication. The poem's pace is calm, emphasizing exceptional advice given in the lines, non-confrontational, emotionally intense, respectful of others, diligent, and cultivates a clear conscience.

Conclusion

The poem "Desiderata" written by Max Ehrmann (1927) includes the emotional effects, advice for a lifetime in this practical world, organic and subjective imagery, heightened imagery, and include parataxis (where simple and short sentences with phrases linked by coordinating conjunctions). This poem advises you to accept the world's imperfections but doesn't drain yourself in that; instead, rise above them and lead a happy and cheerful life. We enjoy little joys and beauties abounding our lives. We dream big without shutting ourselves to the imperfections of the real world.