Logistics are something to pay attention to in "The Canonization." How did these lovers actually make it into heaven? After all, most saints have to go through a pretty rigorous process in order to qualify (it's a lot harder than getting in to Harvard). In the case of our lovers, literature and writing are key. The speaker imagines that they'll be celebrated in verses and sonnets, which, in turn, will eventually be treated like hymns—holy songs. It's a bit of a stretch, but the speaker seems like he's on a roll and we don't want to burst his bubble. The main point here for our lovers is that literature is a major rung on the ladder to immortality.
Questions About Literature and Writing
- Why does the speaker turn to literature as a way to preserve the lovers' legacy?
- How does literature compare to monuments and history books, in the speaker's eyes?
- How do the poems that the speaker mentions get converted into hymns?
- What does this poem say about the importance of literature in society? What parts of the poem support your ideas?
Chew on This
Sainthood is nice and all, but this poem shows us how literature is the true way to achieve immortality.
Being memorialized in literature is only half the battle. This poem reminds us that readers have to worship the words in order to preserve the memories.