Contrasting Symbolism: Sunflower Imagery in Ginsberg's Modernity and Blake's Romantic Reflection

Abstract

This investigation examines the significance of symbols in Allen Ginsberg's "Sunflower Sutra" and William Blake's "Ah! Sunflower" in the context of Roland Barthes' theory of signs, emphasizing their distinct interpretations. This research used a thorough qualitative method to check the poems, applying Barthesian analysis to sort their meanings into three different systems. The results show that Ginsberg's Sunflower stands for spiritual growth and self-discovery, while Blake's "Sunflower" explores the link between innocence and experience. Data gathering involved a close look at key lines from both poems, supported by a psycholinguistic view that ties semiotic readings to the authors' mental states. This method shows the complicated ties between symbols, meaning, and the poets’ psychological backgrounds, enhancing our understanding of their works. It helps readers explore the deeper feelings and reasons behind the writing of each poem.