Reading Notes W6 Part A: Markham

Reading notes are for “The Man With the Hoe” and “The Sower” by Markham, pgs.294-297

• I noticed both of these poems are inspired by looking at artworks, which is an interesting unique area for inspiration compared to past readings.
• The paintings his references are all about farming life, and are very detailed, yet precisely show the life of a farmer.
• The tempo of this first poem is almost song like, it goes very quick and melodious in my head. 
• The wording is a bit colloquial, but it feels like it’s going on about the average day, almost saying “yes it was all me who did this.”
• Is the farmers dream one that is glamorized is what he is saying? Looks easy, but really hellish?
• Have the farm owners distorted the destiny of crop raising by God?
• Is Markham speaking of the chance of a rebellion, similar to maybe a French Revolution style war?
• “Field fragrances” smells aromatizing, there is many farms in California you can pass by and smell all the delicious crops they are growing.
• Rhythmic swing, just how I would describe the work of the sower, I can imagine it quite well.
• Another reference to the wealthy taking the glory of the work of the farmers, who do not get to flourish in all or any of this
• The owners give the workers the basic necessities, but often the amount they got is overestimated in the majority of history books
• Markham’s writings are very powerful but at the same time have a nice lure to them to keep you to try to understand what he sees in these arts that he witnessed.