make an essay entitled no man is an island

John Donne: “No Man Is an Island” Essay

Introduction.

Humans are used to live and communicate with others creating social organizations and social groups. A human being is asocial creature needed interaction and communication with people like “me”. The statement and position of John Donne is correct because it reflects principles of social organization and control. The human being must engage others, develop relationships, accrue goodwill, and establish a system of support network resources. In time of need, the individual must actively engage these social resources, seeking help and managing supportive exchanges. This process may require considerable social skill, skill that develops and gains sophistication slowly and with experience. The transactional nature of support processes represents another thread of continuity in social support over the life course (Neimeyer & Neimeyer 2002). The development, maintenance, and engagement of support resources is an active process from the first to the last year of life. This is not to say that the person can always manage support resources effectively and with ease, but rather that the behavior of the focal person matters. Indeed, the skills required in dealing with support resources very likely show developmental continuity.

“No man is an island” because throughout the individual’s life, a person engages in an active appraisal of the social world, of relationships with support network members and of the supportive behavior in which they have engaged. The young personalities may be less articulate about this than is the college-educated adult, but the process whereby special attention or its absence, treats or broken promises, come to be appraised in terms of one person’s feelings for another begins very early (Myers, 2002). The assessment of social standing becomes a veritable obsession during adolescence. Adolescents may be more tolerant, encompass a broader range of data, develop more elaborate appraisals, and be less volatile informing them, but the basic process shows considerable continuity. In short, although the details change, throughout his or her life the individual is engaged in appraising support resources and supportive behavior and in forming beliefs regarding the degree to which he or she is loved and cared for, respected and esteemed, and involved in a network of mutual obligation. The major functions are to provide supplementary assistance to the focal person in dealing with demands and achieving goals, to sustain feelings of being cared for and valued, and to sustain a sense of social identity and social location. “Conversely, lack or loss of interpersonal relationships leads to negative emotional experiences such as anxiety, depression, distress, loneliness, and feelings of isolation? (Carvallo and Gabriel 2006, p. 698).

Many research studies suggest that gender is irrelevant both to levels of support and to its effects on well-being. But quite a few studies find women advantaged when we focus on particular modes and/or sources of support, specifically, emotional support and friends (Kelly, 2002). Likewise, differences in support effects, when they are observed, tend to be specific with respect to cause, mode, and outcome although no clear pattern is yet evident. Future research will benefit from valid, reliable, and focused support measures. No doubt questions regarding gender differences will be specific rather than general and will be explored within the context of social-role and sex-role factors thought to underlie gender effects. Among middle-class people, social support showed a direct effect on distress, regardless of stress level (that is, the number of life events experienced). That is, the data for the middle class were consistent with a direct model whereas those for the lower class indicated a buffer model. Carvallo & Gabriel (2006) stated: “We expected that after receiving feedback of future interpersonal success, high-dismissing individuals would experience higher levels of positive affect relative to lowdismissing individual” (p. 704).

Isolation and loneliness are not natural for a man. However, support from family and friends was significantly more important for men than for women in the prediction of both life satisfaction and depression. Support from colleagues was significantly more important for women than for men in the prediction of anxiety. The relative importance of work and non-work support for men and women suggested by these findings is contrary to both common opinion and some previous findings (Dumm, 2008). Their focus was high-school change, specifically, grades and attendance, peer self-concept, and scholastic self-concept. Academic adjustment was associated with informal support for both boys and girls, whereas peer self-concept was associated with both informal and formal support among boys, but neither among girls. Thus the higher informal support reported by girls (noted earlier) was less beneficial than that available to boys (Dumm, 2008).

Social loneliness results from the lack of a network of social relationships and is associated with boredom and depression. In contrast, emotional loneliness results from the absence of a close and intimate attachment to another person and is associated with a sense of isolation and anxiety. The evidence for these propositions is qualified. There is an example of how support might be linked to psychological distress in a more particular manner than is evident in current research. First, regarding the view that people are especially independent and reluctant to seek help from others, a qualitative finding is relevant. In a small sample of families, Dumm (2008) found that half the women, but all the men, showed a negative network orientation: an unwillingness to utilize support resources because of mistrust, independence, or beliefs that others cannot provide help. This posture toward others, it is argued, impedes the growth, maintenance, and use of support resources with adverse effects on well-being. The authors note that regularized patterns of social conflict as well as support are evident in the social networks and that these differed by gender. The gender differences are modest but consistent. Especially for women, the “classically integrative institutions” of family, work, and support networks also contain significant elements of friction. Social support variables included the number of extended kin in the community and extended kin and nonkin support resources (those who would help with various problems) (Higdon, 2004). For instance, none of these support variables showed evidence of buffering the effects of either life events or chronic stressors, and only kin support resources showed an association with lower depression. Though, younger women reported particularly high levels of depression and of kin support resources. Further analyses showed no direct or buffer effects for either younger or older women and only one buffer effect for men. Those with more extended kin resources were affected relatively less by life events. Investigation of gender differences in social network precursors of loneliness, Stokes and Levin (1986) found that social network factors, particularly density, were better predictors of loneliness in men than women. In a second study, they explored the density finding further, focusing on same-sex friends. Findings indicated that more interconnected, cohesive social networks are associated with lower loneliness for men but not for women. These studies suggest a greater importance for certain social network factors for men than women, at least with respect to loneliness (Howard, 2005).

Critics suggest that the forming of a bond of attachment is programmed into the baby for sound biological reasons. People who stay close to another person are likely to benefit from an umbrella of protection against an environment which can be very harsh both in climate and predators. Therefore, people who have a trait to attach themselves to society stand a good chance of reaching maturity, and passing on their genes into the next generation, genes for the attachment trait. In that case, failure to form a bond in infancy, or the disruption of a bond, would be counter to the baby’s natural tendency, and as a result might have dire social, psychological and physical consequences (Cacioppo and Patrick, 2008).

“no man is an island” as there is an approach in which it makes sense that the person should attach himself to a parent is that the reward of love to the caring adult is likely to encourage her to return love and take the baby under her wing. I use the feathered metaphor here for good reason. The sociobiologists have demonstrated a primitive form of attachment in geese. He observed that shortly after hatching, the chicks would follow the parent wherever she went. This has implications for the survival of the chicks, so he wondered whether this tendency was innate. The chicks could not have a perfect image of their parent programmed into their brains from birth, so Lorenz wondered instead if they are programmed to attach themselves to the first conspicuous moving thing they see. This would almost certainly be the parent. Such experiences in themselves could be disturbing to the people, over and above the separation. Consequently, perhaps the particular circumstance of separation is the factor which gives rise to permanent emotional damage, and not so much the mere fact of separation. Clearly separation is traumatic for a person, but there is scope for emotional repair when normal family life resumes in many cases (Carvallo and Gabriel 2006).

People dot suffer from anxiety for obvious reasons. Instead, they suffer from ostracism. Critics claimed that girls believe that they have already been castrated in order to account for the difference between their own physiology and their brothers’ (Hawkley et al 2009). This causes a similar kind of anxiety and makes the girl hate the parent, but eventually identifies with her in order to get attention and favor from her father. The moral ideals of the parents, as perceived by the person, are assimilated into the personality as the appropriate moral code. The superego may place strain on the personality, since its values are usually unrealistic. However, it has the benefit of making the person considerate of others, and thus enables her to enter society as a conscientious and caring individual. Because of this, the personalities can move beyond the bounds of the family, and enter school and other institutions as a socialized person. In their study, Hawkley et al (2008) explain that: “Social control differences may explain lower activity levels in lonely individuals. Social control theory holds that internalized obligations to, and the overt influence of, network members tend to discourage poor health behaviors and encourage good health behaviors” (p. 354).

Attachment bonds, developed in early age, take various forms, and researchers have found it useful to place these forms into three broad categories. ‘Secure attachment’ is evident in approximately 50 to 67 % of parents’ relationships in industrialized countries. Researchers give the following example: when the parent returns to the room, following a short absence, the baby will often provide an overt display of delight at her return. The small person will smile, laugh, wave, and crawl towards her. If the parent picks him up, he will smile, kiss, hug and sink into her body. He will never act aggressively, pushing away, biting, hitting or squirming (Over and Carpenter 2009). The unsocially attached person seems susceptible to temper tantrums, throwing toys and hitting the parent. In the strange situation, when left alone with a stranger, these people are less likely to display overt anxiety, yet clearly are anxious since measures of heart rate show increase consistent with an anxiety experience. When the parent returns, the small child might avoid her, or move towards her but move away again without making any physical contact. The study made by Over and Carpenter (2009) suggests that: “Results showed that children primed with ostracism imitated the actions of a model significantly more closely than children not primed with ostracism. Interestingly, however, children in the two conditions did not differ in their tendency to turn on the light – every child did, or attempted to do this” (p. F5). Sex-role identity is the part of our personality which is responsible for our sex-appropriate behavior. Some behaviors stereotypically defined as male might be drinking beer, playing football, swearing, wearing trousers, smoking cigars or a pipe, flattering women, being decisive, being aggressive. Some stereotypical female sex-appropriate behaviors might be wearing lipstick, sewing, being unassertive, being emotional, wearing dresses, drinking cocktails, flirting with men, being defenseless, being submissive. Social learning approach makes a good deal of common sense. If people witness aggressive behavior, then that behavior will become legitimized to the person by the very fact that there is now a precedent for it (Over and Carpenter 2009).

In sum, the statement by John Donne is true as a man cannot live in isolation from society. As noted above, throughout a person’s life, other people help with services, information, money, or advice when there are needed to deal with a stressor or to achieve a goal. To a greater or lesser degree, they express caring, affection, and respect for the person; they help him maintain a sense of who he is and where he belongs.

Cacioppo, J. T., Patrick, W. 2008, Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection. W.W. Norton & Co.

Carvallo, M., Gabriel, Sh. 2006, No man Is an Island: The Need to Belong and Dismissing Avoidant Attachment Style. Personal Social Psychological Bulletin ; 32 (1), p. 697.

Dumm, Th. 2008. Loneliness as a Way of Life . Harvard University Press

Hawkley, L. C. Thisted, R. A., Cacioppo, J. T. 2009. Loneliness Predicts Reduced Physical Activity: Cross-Sectional & Longitudinal Analyses. Health Psychology American Psychological Association 28 (3), pp. 354–363

Higdon, Juliet. 2004. From Counselling Skills to Counsellor: A Psychodynamic Approach (Paperback). Palgrave Macmillan.

Howard, Susan. 2005. Psychodynamic Counselling in a Nutshell . Sage Publications Ltd, November.

Kelly, G. A. 2002. The psychology of personal constructs . New York: Norton.

Myers, David G. 2002. Psychology . Hope College. Worth Publishers, Holland, Michigan. Fourth edition.

Neimeyer, R. A. & Neimeyer, G. J. (Eds.) 2002. Advances in Personal Construct Psychology . New York: Praeger.

Over, H., Carpenter, M. 2009. Priming third-party ostracism increases affiliative imitation in children. Developmental Science 12 (3), pp F1–F8

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2021, November 8). John Donne: "No Man Is an Island". https://ivypanda.com/essays/john-donne-no-man-is-an-island/

"John Donne: "No Man Is an Island"." IvyPanda , 8 Nov. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/john-donne-no-man-is-an-island/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'John Donne: "No Man Is an Island"'. 8 November.

IvyPanda . 2021. "John Donne: "No Man Is an Island"." November 8, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/john-donne-no-man-is-an-island/.

1. IvyPanda . "John Donne: "No Man Is an Island"." November 8, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/john-donne-no-man-is-an-island/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "John Donne: "No Man Is an Island"." November 8, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/john-donne-no-man-is-an-island/.

• John Donne’s Poems and Their Reflections
• John Donne's Poetry Relate to the Culture
• John Donne’s and Emily Dickinson’s Poetry on Death
• John Donne and His Two Facet Poetry
• A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning by John Donne
• "Holy Sonnet 10" by John Donne
• The Poem "The Flea" by John Donne
• “The Sunne Rising” and “The Flea” Poems by John Donne
• Comparison of Shakespeare’s and Donne's Works
• Comparing John Donne's and Shakespeare's Sonnets
• Contemporary Communication in Modern Society
• Communication Skills in Human Life
• Social Work Effective Communication
• “What Women Want” from Sociological Perspective
• Communication and Gender: Management Communications With Technology Tools

No Man Is an Island Summary & Analysis by John Donne

• Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis
• Poetic Devices
• Vocabulary & References
• Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme
• Line-by-Line Explanations

John Donne's "No Man is an Island" is about the connection between all of humankind. Donne essentially argues that people need each other and are better together than they are in isolation, because every individual is one piece of the greater whole that is humanity itself. The paragraph isn't actually a poem but a famous excerpt from Donne's Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions . Written in 1623 when Donne was in the grips of a serious illness, the Devotions examine what it means to be a human being and the relationship between humanity and God. Each of this book's 23 sections features a "Meditation," "Expostulation," and "Prayer." This particular segment comes from the 17th "Meditation."

• Read the full text of “No Man Is an Island”

The Full Text of “No Man Is an Island”

1 No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a

2 piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod

3 be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well

4 as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy

5 friend's or of thine own were; any man's death

6 diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and

7 therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;

8 it tolls for thee.

“No Man Is an Island” Summary

“no man is an island” themes.

Human Connection

• See where this theme is active in the poem.

Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis of “No Man Is an Island”

No man is an island, entire of itself;

every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;

if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were;

any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind,

and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

“No Man Is an Island” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

Alliteration.

• See where this poetic device appears in the poem.

“No Man Is an Island” Vocabulary

Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.

• Entire of itself
• Send to know
• See where this vocabulary word appears in the poem.

Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “No Man Is an Island”

Rhyme scheme, “no man is an island” speaker, “no man is an island” setting, literary and historical context of “no man is an island”, more “no man is an island” resources, external resources.

The Poem Out Loud — Listen to a live reading by musician P.J. Harvey.

Donne's Life and Work — Learn more about Donne's life story via the Poetry Foundation.

Donne and Death — A podcast discussing the poet's attitude towards mortality. 

The 17th Meditation — Check out the longer Meditation in which this famous excerpt appears.

Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions — Explore the full text of the book in which this famous paragraph appears, written by Donne during a period of sickness (and recovery). 

LitCharts on Other Poems by John Donne

A Hymn to God the Father

Air and Angels

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

A Valediction: Of Weeping

Elegy V: His Picture

Holy Sonnet 10: Death, be not proud

Holy Sonnet 14: Batter my heart, three-person'd God

Holy Sonnet 1: Thou hast made me, and shall thy work decay?

Holy Sonnet 6: This is my play's last scene

Holy Sonnet 7: At the round earth's imagined corners

Hymn to God My God, in My Sickness

Song: Go and catch a falling star

The Apparition

The Canonization

The Good-Morrow

The Sun Rising

The Triple Fool

To His Mistress Going to Bed

Ask LitCharts AI: The answer to your questions

A Summary and Analysis of John Donne’s ‘No Man Is an Island’ Meditation

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ is a phrase from one of John Donne’s most famous pieces of writing. Indeed, it’s the same piece of writing that also includes what is probably his other most famous phrase, ‘No Man Is an Island’.

Although they’re often thought to come from a poem Donne wrote, and Donne is best-known as a poet, both of these lines – probably his two most widely-known – actually appear in one of Donne’s prose writings.

You can read the full ‘No Man Is an Island’ meditation here , but for the purposes of this analysis we’re going to focus on the famous paragraph:

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

John Donne: a brief introduction

John Donne (1572-1631) was a hugely important figure in Elizabethan and Jacobean literature. As a young man in the 1590s, he had pioneered what would become known as metaphysical poetry , writing impassioned and sensual poetry to his beloved that drew on new debates and discoveries in astronomy for its imagery and poetic conceits .

Common features of metaphysical poetry include elaborate similes and metaphors, extended poetic conceits and paradoxes, colloquial speech, and an interest in exploring the interplay between the physical and spiritual world (and between the big and the small).

Donne is often said to be the first metaphysical poet, and Donne’s genius for original, intellectually complex poetry certainly helped to set the trend for the poetry that followed him.

He began writing at the end of the sixteenth century, but the high moment of metaphysical poetry would be in the century that followed. Other key characteristics of metaphysical poetry include: complicated mental and emotional experience; unusual and sometimes deliberately contrived metaphors and similes; and the idea that the physical and spiritual universes are connected.

That is how Donne, as a young man, embarked on a literary career (although he appears to have written his early work to amuse his friends and associates, rather than for publication). Then, as he grew older, he became a devoted Anglican and rose to become Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral. He would write a series of Holy Sonnets which transferred his earlier youthful passions from a woman on to God Himself.

But Donne was also a powerful writer and deliverer of sermons, and a talented prose writer. The famous lines he wrote that contain the ‘for whom the bell tolls’ statement were written in his last years.

In 1623, he fell ill with a fever and, while he recovered, he wrote the Devotions upon Emergent Occasions , a series of prose writings split into three parts: ‘Meditations’, ‘Expostulations to God’, and ‘Prayers’. The oft-quoted ‘no man is an island’ line, as well as the ‘for whom the bell tolls’ one, come from the seventeenth Meditation in Donne’s Devotions .

Donne was gravely ill and his own death, and the mortality of all human life, must have been continually on his mind; the Devotions come back to sin and salvation as recurrent themes, too.

The meaning of Donne’s ‘No man is an island’ meditation is fairly straightforward. We should feel a sense of belonging to the whole of the human race, and should feel a sense of loss at every death, because it has taken something away from mankind.

The funeral bell that tolls for another person’s death also tolls for us, because it marks the death of a part of us, but also because it is a memento mori , a reminder that we ourselves will die one day.

The power of the passage is in the language Donne chooses to use. In many ways, it’s a natural extension of his earlier metaphysical poetry, which often unravelled a single idea, thinking through the metaphor, developing it, taking it to its logical conclusion, and, occasionally, deliberately taking it to absurd extremes.

Here, the development of the central metaphor is more staid, but is still noteworthy for its being extended over the course of several sentences.

Nobody lives or exists alone, and we are all part of something greater. Each individual person is like a part of the mainland or a piece of a bigger continent, rather than an island nation that is self-sufficient and cut off from the rest.

Final Thoughts

By way of concluding this analysis, it’s worth noting that the ‘No man is an island’ paragraph is not, in fact, the conclusion of Donne’s Meditation XVII. Instead, there is a further paragraph, which runs:

If a man carry treasure in bullion or in a wedge of gold, and have none coined into current moneys, his treasure will not defray him as he travels. Tribulation is treasure in the nature of it, but it is not current money in the use of it, except we get nearer and nearer our home, heaven, by it.

The passage continues, concluding the meditation with the resounding words:

Another may be sick too, and sick to death, and this affliction may lie in his bowels, as gold in a mine, and be of no use to him; but this bell that tells me of his affliction, digs out, and applies that gold to me: if by this consideration of another’s danger, I take mine own into contemplation, and so secure myself, by making my recourse to my God, who is our only security.

1 thought on “A Summary and Analysis of John Donne’s ‘No Man Is an Island’ Meditation”

I love seeing that a new ‘Interesting Literature’ email has arrived in my inbox. They’ve been very frequent recently and much appreciated

Comments are closed.

Discover more from Interesting Literature

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

• Essay Editor

John Donne: “No Man Is an Island” Essay

1. introduction.

Though least read and appreciated in Donne's time, his poetry is much valued by many after his death. John Donne also held important positions in government. Though his life was colorful, it was full of troubles and sufferings. Persecution of the Catholics was one of his main problems. Most of his prose work was written during his years in office so it might be seen as the product of his public life or his response to the prevailing political situation. The work of John Donne is extensively studied and the most famous of them is "No man is an island". In this work, the writer has been passionately loved and capriciously disliked. The essay has shown that it is much acclaimed and highly favored. These preferences particularly arose from the mystical and philosophical nature. It has also revealed the remarkable diversity with which the literary works of John Donne are associated. Besides, the essay shows his distinctive style in favor of metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical poetry is also distancing from life and society while favoring the poetic ingenuity and imagination. It can be described as a kind of "fanciful and unreal". But in this case, his work "No man is an island" is suggesting that the world is something more explicit than some kind of digital and technological innovation. Many of its ideas are applicable to our modern technological and highly advanced global system. With the increasing level of communication in society, diversity and continuous innovations taking place, there are a lot of examples to be cited from his work, particularly in the present discoveries and intellectual progress. This essay has critically examined the different arguments advanced about the relevance of his work to the modern day and attempts to provide an objective account of its meaning in the current politics of global citizenship. The detailed analysis of the work has proved that technological progress is not a show of power and monopolization of authority but rather an umbrella idea where all the people from different sectors and corners of the world come together to improve on something tangible for the benefit of mankind. The world has changed and people now have different views about life and other highly critical social issues. Every day, many different discoveries and inventions are made thanks to the continually advancing technological discoveries. All these are discussed and speculated in his essay. The understanding yielded from the essay bears testimony to the many different levels on which the writer's work may be enjoyed. The writer has indeed touched on a very core concept which is the social well-being and communal patterns in society. He has made and argued that there is a need to embrace diversity, lifetime technological vigor, development, and harmony whereby everyone gets to enjoy their share of peace in the modern world. The essay has really captured what John Donne felt centuries ago and how his work showed that he has passion, love, creativity, and modern reasoning. Every argument, every theme, and every issue shed light on his desires and practical evidence in favor of global citizenship and technological advancement. With the coming of globalization, many issues such as democracy and good governance, effective communication, and understanding of human social opinions have been brought into the full glare of the world authorities and experts. All that is contained in his work and has led to the high acclaim of this work being regarded as the monument in the history of English literary works. Many scholars have termed this work as highly influential in propelling significant mindset and school of thoughts for modern studies.

1.1 Background of John Donne

John Donne was born in 1572 to a prominent Roman Catholic family in London. His father was a successful merchant and his mother came from an influential noble family. However, the family faced numerous challenges associated with religious and political instability. From an early age, Donne was exposed to the fear and social chaos instigated by the religious conflicts between the Catholics and the Protestants. These conflicts reached their peak around the 1570s and 1580s, followed by the introduction of severe laws against the Catholics. Such laws greatly affected the social, economic, and political life of the Roman Catholics in England. These events had a profound impact on Donne's theology and provided inspiration for writing. Over time, he shifted from radical Roman Catholicism to Anglicanism. In 1615, he was ordained as a priest in the Church of England. His theological thinking is considered to be very broad and at the same time extremely personal. Some scholars argue that while his earlier devotional works may address political and religious issues of his time, his later works, particularly the Holy Sonnets, reflect complex and deeply felt individual meditations. Indeed, his poetry and sermons continue to remain influential in the study of modern literature and theology. Donne was not only a writer and a religious figure but also a philosopher too. He was a great influence on many poets in the 17th century. His works have inspired others and continue to do so. For example, Ernest Hemingway in his book "For Whom the Bell Tolls" quoted Donne's meditation three: "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." For centuries, critics and readers have acknowledged that John Donne's poetry and prose are recognized for their striking wit, cleverness, and emotional honesty. His works, in particular his Holy Sonnets, have stood the test of time and are still widely studied and appreciated today. These sonnets are intense meditations on themes such as the fear of death, desires for a closer relationship with God, and true repentance for sins. His poetry seeks to represent the complexity of human emotions, faith, and suffering. These characteristics make his works highly applicable, interesting, and inspiring to readers today.

1.2 Overview of the essay

After giving us insight into the life and times of John Donne, the writer delves deeper into the meaning of the quote and how it affects us in the current world. The writer expounds on the quote 'no man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main' and its significance that nobody is self-sufficient, everyone relies on others. Also, the writer gets to highlight how the quote relates to us when he talks about 'the modern world' by giving examples of cyberbullying. The writer gives a deeper analysis of the quote by giving different perspectives and how it can be understood. He also manages to connect the quote to its relevance in shaping modern-day societies and human relationships. He says that the concept of 'togetherness' as emphasized by the quote is important in fostering one's mental wellness and it is known that social relationships improve individual well-being, which he elaborates on in the text. He further shows its implications in our current society because of the use of social media, which brings about the idea of cyber relationships. He also gives an extensive explanation of the phrase 'the bell' which the writer feels is used to personify the world as an interdependent entity. The essay further explores the relevance of this concept to modern-day society. The writer shows, with the use of different scenarios, how the lack of socializing will impact individuals and how we should not neglect these relationships. Also, he is able to pinpoint the importance of relationships as evident in the well-being of the individual and society in general. He also shows how relationships, as suggested by the quote, help to break the barriers between people and bring them together. The analysis that he provides is that these barriers are the cause of depression and the failure of communicating. He finally gives an explanation of how the world is dependent on itself through another phrase 'never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee' by showing that people and everything in the world are interconnected. He winds up his explanation by focusing on the term 'meditation' as it is coined by the phrase and showing that it is not only positive reflection as it is perceived by many people; he shows that it is a way of connecting the world together. The essay appeals to the reader through the provision of contextual examples, personal experiences, and attention to detail as well as an interesting use of credible evidence. Also, the writer has a logical flow of ideas and the argumentation is based on sound reasoning. The reader is able to understand the logical flow because the writer starts the essay from what the quote means and where it could be traced, and the essay ends by giving a summary.

2. Analysis of "No Man Is an Island"

John Donne's philosophy is well presented in his work "No Man Is an Island". This poem has been interpreted in many ways, but a majority of the scholarly critics have accepted the theme of this work as universal love. In this work, John Donne has observed that whether we talk of spiritual enlightenment or social and economic welfare of mankind, a person, as an individual, cannot live in this world alone. The very first stanza of this poem strengthens the fact that a person always needs support from others in order to survive. In other words, it should also be endorsed as a fact that a person cannot accomplish a mission or a goal without involving others. To be very precise, the opening line clearly states that no single person can live in this world alone and acquire all knowledge to reach perfection. It is a fact that perfect knowledge comes from sharing ideas or things with others, and the poet has rightly said that whether a person's attitude is materialistic or not, they want to enjoy or acknowledge the happiness that comes from cherishing things. A person never lives in this world in isolation. On the other hand, if a person wants to learn the beautiful truths and secure their spiritual salvation, they cannot skip their obligations with others. All in all, the poem "No Man Is an Island" is a highly thought-provoking poem by John Donne. In this poem, the poet has delivered the message that all human beings are interdependent, not only for materialistic things but also for spiritual things. The poem is a fine evidence of the intellectual quality of John Donne. All stanzas of the poem are interconnected and each one has poetic value. Each and every verse of the poem has been used to its best and has been composed carefully. Ergo, it's an impressive and didactic poem that delivers a plea of universal love for the whole human race.

2.1 Explanation of the quote

The central concept of the famous quote by John Donne is that "no man is an island," and the most natural interpretation is that every person requires the company and support of others in order to thrive. However, as the British philosopher Joanna Kavenna points out, the actual meaning of the quote is a matter of some debate. The phrase is taken from Meditations XVII, which is a prose work comprising of a series of reflections on illness and the everyday. In this series of reflections, Donne considers the condition of the whole world, and our inherent interdependence in it, before moving on to consider the sufferings of the particular individual. This is where the "no man is an island" phrase is first introduced. Kavenna suggests that Donne is considering the idea that, although we might think we are our own person with our own discrete thoughts and feelings, we are actually part of a bigger picture, and the actions and emotions of others will inevitably have some kind of impact upon us. So, Kavenna writes, the phrase "no man is an island" is actually just a paraphrasing of something that has already been expressed - this idea that we are all part of a larger entity. She goes on to say that Donne spends the following part of the work talking about spirituality, and the way that Christianity is bound up with life on earth, so he makes a number of references to the Church of England and the role of God and the priesthood. In other words, according to her reading, the prose work as a whole has a very particular context and a very particular aim, and this is something that should be considered when interpreting the quote "no man is an island." However, she does note that a lot of people use the phrase in different ways - i.e. to capture that sense of our interconnectedness or to suggest that one's actions will always impact upon others and not just ourselves - so she acknowledges that it has taken on a life of its own in contemporary usage. Kavenna's interpretation provides a useful analysis of the deeper meaning of the quote, and the progress of Donne's thought throughout Meditations XVII. Yet, it is also possible to take a more direct approach when explaining the significance of the phrase, and much more could be said about the way in which "no man is an island" has been recontextualised in modern times.

2.2 Interpretation of the meaning

With such philosophy as "No Man Is an Island", Donne wants to convey that no one is truly self-sufficient. He wants to tell us that everyone relies on someone else and no one can live a solitary life. At the beginning of this stanza, he tells us that every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. This sentence obviously interprets the meaning of the philosophy. Vary of the sentence structure is used at the beginning of the paragraph. Other than using sentence that started with subject, Donne wants to attract reader to this philosophy by using absolute phrase. It also shows that the meaning of this sentence is important and needed to be elaborated. In addition, the metaphor in the 5th sentence used to compare the men with continents, men with other men. This is the most important sentence for the interpretation because it gives us a panorama view of the entire meaning of this philosophy. Moreover, Donne uses another metaphor to explain the meaning of the sentence. He says that every soul is a piece of the large body which is his wife; his wife is a piece of the country's body; this country's body is a piece of the world's body. This sentence further explains that no one can escape from reliance of others. Donne uses his wife, country and the world to imply that this is a cycle and everyone is in this cycle. This philosophy may be true as most help that people received are generally from family members and then from friends and so on. The feelings of the writer can be seen from the last 5 sentences. He believes the philosophy strongly and thus those sentences are used to stress the meaning of the philosophy, to tell the people to reflect on life. This philosophy has touched me in many ways. Nowadays, most of us are too emphasizing independence and consider reliance as weakness. Through this philosophy, I realize that we are too selfish and being independent 24 hours without caring others is too selfish. When we are helping other and others will help us too, this world is no longer a solitary place to stay. Every each of us is helping; we have turned the earth into a family, a good place to stay. Every each of us is like a candle, sharing our light to others and the life for the candles will not be affected. It definitely creates a warm and peaceful world for every candle in the world. In a nut shell, this philosophy likes a wake up call to me. It's a very good reminder for me to care other when they are really in need. Also, I will not emphasize independence too much. This philosophy will definitely let me to.

2.3 Examples from literature and real life

Another key element that makes the examples of "No Man Is an Island" particularly effective is the use of antithesis. In fact, in both these examples, the writer contrasts the concept of an isolated individual with the idea of a connected community, so making the examples a more powerful and compelling way of proving that Donne's statement is correct. This makes the ideas contained in these literature far more closely connected with the central importance of human dignity, isolation and community in Donne's teaching. The effective use of antithesis here prepares the way for the final and most powerful example of all. The reader is commanded by the skillful writer to accept the writer's own, positive view of the human condition. Well-written and succinct, they sum up the main points of different examples very effectively. The use of antithesis is less effective on its own, but becomes more powerful as the essay progresses. When the pupil comes to the final example, (the extract from "Devotions upon Emergent Occasions"), the essay reaches a peak of power and clearly highlights a triumphant realization of the thoughtful plea contained in Donne's admonition.

3. Relevance in Today's Society

From a scientific, particularly a psychological standpoint, it seems that Donne's statement concerning the human necessity for mutual interaction is absolutely correct. The term most often used to account for this phenomenon is "interpersonal regulation", the process by which two individuals are mutually adaptive to each other. Even the most withdrawn and asocial among us still require some degree of regular, meaningful human contact. This is not to say that each person's social sphere must be particularly broad, for surely many individuals can live contentedly with only one or two very close friendships. However, no man would be able to survive emotionally in a total, complete isolation that some men who consider themselves quite independent or self-sustaining often attempt to realize. From the point of view of modern social psychology, it seems that Donne's notions would not only be accepted, but also precisely defined and structured. This is not to say, however, that the concepts he discusses are at all outdated or archaic; quite to the contrary, the of social interaction and necessity to the maintenance of a certain type of close bond between men are on everybody's lips. The notion of "interpersonal bonds" is another modern label for much the same principle that Donne noted so many years ago. This principle states that human beings need some form of close, interconnecting social linkage in order to maintain their own personal well being; in other words, people need to have the ability to psychologically connect with other people, but not too much ("breaking a way to oneself") or too little ("closing oneself off"). This allows for the Course of nature and alternatives that meet the common good to pass between the individuals in question. The application of Donne's idea in today's society is not limited only to scholarly discussion. Modern pop culture often stresses the need for living one's life according to one's own desires, or in the understanding that what one person does affects only him or herself prevalently. However, as people we do so much for others, deriving a large portion of our own personal joy from bringing joy and peace to the lives of our friends and family. In essence, these modernized versions of commune bonum, such as "positive legislation and permissive legislation", focus on the individual with the assumption that others are being serviced as well, through the increase of happiness in relation to the existence of other happinesses. These alternative validities run parallel to Donne's original integrity of selfishness, partially validating the concept for such a long time because the results potentially derived from its application. Similarly, many people today recognize the idea of human beings advancing society through productive, unselfish reasons; however, Donne's notion augments an understanding at a more personal level. The bond that is stress between humans is themselves, in the understanding that it is through love and through unselfish interests in other people that and accomplishments themselves are achieved. In sum, not only does Donne's plea for "one little room and an immensity of meadows" readily find a home in many of today's philosophies; it seems to modern science and psychology that the phenomena for which he seeks have been not only validated, but precisely defined in the society of the current day. His exaltations to loving and to the rejection of isolation have, in a way, been given a fresh and meaningful light through the studies of the human mind and the understanding of the society of a species. His works and beliefs, re-contextualized in modern approaches to human well-being and stability, inspire a sense of oneness and togetherness that so greatly contrasts the inherent divides and social limitations present in the world of men today. His is truly a timeless message, a light to be held against the dark of divided human natures and aims.

3.1 Application of the concept in modern relationships

At the moment, it is not uncommon to come across at least one type of relationship in an individual's life. As technology is steadily on the rise, more people are getting physically and, most importantly, virtually connected with family, friends, and colleagues than ever before. Whether it is a commitment to a marriage relationship or friendship, the concept that "no man is an island" is more applicable than in the past. This is due to the fact that the modern complex forms of interdependence have made it hard for one to be able to live in isolation as entirely self-sufficient units. Just as John Donne had argued in his time, the increasing technological connectivity and globalization have made building and maintaining relationships more of a necessity than a subject of choice. This has been made evident in families, in companies and general social well-being. It's almost impossible to nurture a kind of family growth in isolation. In fact, research has revealed that the total well-being of a family depends on the various family members' ability to maintain both strong and weak ties with one another. In a world where physical boundaries are becoming irrelevant and people can be able to travel from one end of the earth to the other end within a day, family relationship cannot survive on its own, but it needs the support from the relevant neighbors. The success of the contemporary family is more consolidated in close relationships and even extended to broader networks of relationships. Such extended networks include church networks, and neighbors' relationships. A healthy modern family cannot afford to live in isolation from social relationships. It is important to note that successful family networks grow out of a spirit of interdependence and understanding for one another. This is a clear demonstration of how the well-being of various family members is at all times tied to the health of family relationships.

3.2 Impact on individual well-being

It’s clear from the discussion till now that the given quote is highly significant in guiding the welfare policies and psychological treatment modules of different societies. A society can never afford to leave an individual untreated or neglected, because it will be disastrous from individual level to the level of complete society and nation. This is what the modern psychological research also endorses from the platform of that no man can afford to be an island. As a social and least self-sustaining creation on this universe, men certainly need support of the other human fellows. This is what Donne also throws light upon as he presents men as social animals and as a natural part of interconnected whole that is called the universe. In order to explain the impact of well-being of an individual on the social world, Donne introduces a logic that an individual person can be able to affirm his own existence in an effective manner. It’s his presence and his sense of well-being, through which he’s able to recognize and communicate with persons like him. But those persons like him could only be spiritual fellows for him if they also make themselves available to affirm their presence within themselves. All the above mentioned...

3.3 Social and cultural implications

The quote "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent" much depicts the sociocultural setting of the 16th century in John Donne's life and society. He believes much in the interdependency among men and this is better portrayed in the African's cultures and societies than in the western societies whereby individualism and self-reliance are always upheld. John Mbiti, in his book "African Religions and Philosophy" cited that "I am, because we are; and since we are, therefore I am" which translates that human beings are fundamentally and inextricably interrelated. Every person depends on the other people in the society and one should not be self-segregated or self-centred but rather live as a member of the community who is always concern about the well-being of the other members in the society. Such a culture of caring, considering and giving one's shoulder for others in the society is what that constitute a peaceful, harmonious and loving societal co-existence among the people. In today's world, his expression is of more significance and this has led to a lot of psychological study that revealed the harms of social isolation. The sociocultural approach to psychology, which holds that the practise of psychologists should not only focus on individuals but also on how these individuals are influenced, which include the impact of societies and cultures on these people. It helps the psychiatrist to have a better understanding on determinants of a mentally disordered behaviour and thus provide a good intervention that is tailor-made. Well, this approach does make some sense in explaining and providing intervention for stress and mental problems in city because urbanisation has led to increase in life stressors like problems in workplaces, heavy traffic and loss of privacy. Culturally, people hold strongly that individuals have to be independent and self-reliance is the key to success. Jupe Tan, in her book on "Challenging Depression and Despair: a multicultural guide", argued that the negative stigma of mental illness in a society should be removed in the sense by engaging the community in health education. By rendering his views and through sociocultural estimation, thus it is unfair to blame individual that he fails to lead an emotionally satisfying life, given the emphasis on the nurturing of mental and emotional well-being in the cultural environment in which one has to live. People's life are not just bounded by their own belief and thinking but they have to consider, respect and give voice to the value of the community's opinion. Cultural artefact should be realized as a give-and-take and common shared value, providing a richer lived experience in truth. The teaches of "No Man Is an Island" can be summarised in the following lines: - Every man is part of a whole thing. Everyone has a duty to what is right for himself and for others. Don't think that anything belongs to you but everything which has been given to you is for sharing with others. - Don't think that is enough with only doing what is right for oneself. Every man is responsible for the well-being of the whole thing. Every person depends on the collective abilities of men and women because nobody can live well if he isolates himself from others.

3.4 Critiques and counterarguments

While "No Man Is an Island" holds the idea of a strong relationship between every individual, especially when it comes to helping each other, some critics argue that the concept is unrealistic in a modern context. Their main focus is on the fast-paced modern life with full of technologies which is slowly pushing aside the need of genuine relationship in helping and supporting each other. Also, the critique is in relation to the author's religious background and that the quotes are based on religious teachings which should not be applied to the general public, not everyone believes in God and hence the quote should not be made universally relevant. Critics have also questioned the principle of "self-sufficiency" and self-reliance which is considered as the key point of the concept, with examples of mental health issue being branded as "self-inflicted" and phrases like "you are the only one who can help yourself" being used. They believe that this will erode the importance of professional help and supportive relationship that focuses on everyone should be treated with respect and help, regardless of their ability in helping themselves. Donne does not seem to outline the balance between the general need of a society and individual needs. His quote, however, has been interpreted as a strong identification of individualism, a concept that many theorists have spent time in criticising. Some critics have used this against him, arguing that the society he envisions does not take into account the actuality of the necessity for progressive change over time, resulting in a conformist and inactive society. John Donne: "No Man Is an Island" Essay Altruism In Society. It is clear that the quote "No Man Is an Island" by John Donne holds a lot of significance and meaning; nonetheless, it also embodies a number of critiques and counterarguments. Every concept has its own underlying intentions and purpose; but, it is absolutely essential for us to comprehend fully the real message these quotes are trying to convey, what are the real life examples that can be utilised to test out the relevance of these quotes as well as to understand in what ways these quotes essentially impact on our daily lives and our society as a whole. Everyone can surely contribute some thoughts to our ongoing discussions. It is, however, very important for everyone to look at it from a more objective point of view, not just to unilaterally reject it because self-reliance is far-fetched or to accept it without subjecting to change under any circumstances because it is indeed a classical teaching of the ancient time. Overall, these debates shall continue to nourish our minds and provide us with a somewhat guarded temperament. They will assist us to better appreciate the different types of value loaded message conveyed by these quotes and how beneficial they could be to our society when they are being applied in the right way.

4. Conclusion

The essay began with a focus, albeit indirectly, on the socio-political implications of the unthinkable act of the UK leaving the EU and its divisive impact on modern society. From there, the essay introduced an in-depth analysis of the quote "no man is an island" with a particular emphasis on its meaning and interpretation. The case was made that the analysis of the quote can be very revealing about the type of person interpreting it. This was capped by how the author - John Donne - saw the definition of the individual's place in society. The essay then shifted to discussions about the relevance of such a concept in modern day society and how the insights brought by the author may have significant impacts on the well-being felt by modern individuals. This line of thought was greatly advanced by the essay's discussion of modern relationships, be it parental, martial or platonic. It was suggested that the experience of isolation, as inspired by modern interpretation of the word "island", can have drastic consequences on personal life in terms of mental health; thus, the theme took on ever larger gravitas. Culturally, however, the essay contended that such an interpretation pushes a certain academic ideal of self-thinking; the objection that the theology intends to create a network of similar minds was countered. It was asserted that even though Donne might imply to include the message that humanity should stand in with each other, social and religious hierarchies of his time have clouded over the true meaning of the quote. We see today's society through the lens of "no man is an island", and we must strive for better. The idea of social responsibility was elevated to such degrees that both the UK and the US declared that charity is a national value - this brings to light modern policies in light of the theological insights that the essay intends to provide. The proposals that society may well work towards a common end were discussed and it was concluded with a sentiment that the essay will continue to provide crucial ways of interpreting and contextualising key theological mottos found in Donne's work; this is the enduring significance. Despite all the interpretations of "no man is an island", the most comprehensive message is one of the compassion for each other; the essay allows readers to embark on a new understanding of political, cultural and social relations in the contemporary world. As the final sentence of each paragraph asserts, each of us should not only seek our best interests, but also focus on the welfare of mankind. The use of the word "mankind" here resonates through time and invokes a heartfelt response to the human struggle. It gives the essay meaning.

4.1 Summary of key points

In conclusion, it was difficult for me to not buy into the proposition. Yet the choice should be our very own thought; we should not follow others' guidance. Nowadays, the society emphasizes the unity more than ever. Because people realized that our achievement and even our lives come from the help of others. Even though the critique can also at least handle it. However, the most crucial thing is that we should achieve our very own joy of life. The significant phrase to me is 'island'. This word tells us that no one is an overall and self-sufficient alone. Personally, 'No male is an island' is a significant and extensive viewpoint to me that mankind are connected with each other and interdependent. Although in the materialistic world, loneliness should still exist. John Donne highlights that the unity in mankind is important. Focusing and helping each other will make a great growth for the whole society. This quote from John Donne discussed sounding in different aspects of our lives, specifically social media, self-respect, and mortality. Social network is producing a massive influence on society. Every day, people are connecting with others through mobile gadgets and innovation but not dealing with face to face interaction. Face to face interaction is a social strategy that must be learned. However, even researchers find experts are increasingly worried that technology is affecting our ability to have a fulfilling face to face relationships. For me, life should be fulfilling and fun, enjoying every day as though it is the last. As suggested from the essay, 'enjoying it' might be the intro and conclusion for every man's life and sharing the joy of life would be a great essence for one's conclusion of life. Also, we have to learn how to live our daily life. Everyone is managing it, pushing away death, which might be a great mentor and help for new learners in this life. Likewise, it will assist on the time of 'our last day'. But not just all these. We have to learn how to enjoy our daily life with sharing and concerning others. Ham (Heritage, personal interaction and psychological intelligence: the method of the stoics and the intro). This essay is extremely significant and successful for my own learning. First of all, it's the very first time for me to read John Donne's work. Through this essay, now I can understand and analyze his deep and rich ideological background on his work. Also, the essays also provide me a great and experienced example of how to evaluate a quote and its different meanings. Last but not least, this essay gives me some intellectual disputes and ideas concerning this topic. I deeply believe that the essay is not just providing me knowledge, but also providing a great rhythm of critical thinking.

4.2 Reflection on the enduring significance of the essay

As I have explained in the introduction, the idea of identity being only possible in a network of relationships is crucial to an understanding of ethical ontology. This, I have argued, is just as relevant in the modern world, where a more pronounced skepticism of the autonomous liberal subject can be seen. A focus on the implications of global interconnectivity has led some to emphasize the significance of relationships and community to notions of global ethics and well-being. As an example of the importance of placing human identity within 'webs of interdependence' and away from self-serving isolations, Holmes references the promotion of the United Nations Development Programme of an alternative vision for the twenty-first century: one that is focused on a more widely shared notion of progress that builds 'on the interconnections between personal well-being, national well-being and global well-being'. Holmes even goes so far as to suggest that an attention to relational ontology in general and on the significance of connections between individuals, political communities and the wider global order as posed by writers like Martha Nussbaum is crucial in future 'laying the foundations for a new way of thinking about global cooperation and human progress'. I do believe that the significance of these theories to not only individual moral growth but global moral improvement is important and that this essay can provide a valuable introduction to the wider field of ethics for students. Ultimately, I think both Holmes and I would argue that the promotion of individual isolation and autonomy perpetuated by a traditional, enlightenment-based liberal view of identity and its place in the world is detrimental to social progress. As the world becomes ever more globalized, an understanding of the fact that being placed alone has serious implications for not only personal development but global well-being is now of vital success. I think that this essay will continue to provide a valuable resource for those interested in learning about the relevance of older, more metaphysical theories of relational ontology to the teaching of global ethics. It provides a really clear and understandable interpretation of a complex theory, which is helpful for students who are just starting to engage with the topic and may be lacking in confidence or familiarity. I think that the potential to provide an accessible introduction to Martha Nussbaum's capabilities approach and work like that of Holmes also means that it is a valuable tool for teachers and lecturers when designing and delivering courses on the subject. The cross-curriculum implications are clear. Also, I think that it is successful in inspiring the reader to thoughtfully articulate a personal response to the theory, which is indicative of a strong piece of philosophical writing. Holmes is extremely persuasive in his argument for the relevance of relational ontology to contemporary global and political ethics and seeing the interconnectedness between individuals and communities as a potential means for social and international progress. However, every now and then I feel myself pulling back against his paternalistic critiques of a liberal, autonomist approach that regards with suspicion commitments to notions of objective well-being. The essay commences.

Related articles

Attention regarding cognitive psychology research paper.

1. Introduction The study of human memory is done in many different ways, electronically or ecologically, using methods as diverse as the memories being studied. The studies outlined in this paper represent a first step towards an ecological method of exploring implicit (unconscious) memory using a form of the process dissociation procedure. This research is conducted in two parts, one using a lexical decision task and the other a recognition memory task. Both tasks use the same priming stimuli ...

The Mead-Hall in “Beowulf” and Anglo-Saxon Society Essay

1. Introduction The Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of an Anglo-Saxon hero. He is able to use his superhuman physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters hideous monsters and the most ferocious of beasts, but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership marks him as a true hero-king. While he is in rule, the potent ...

Character of Doctor Faustus as an Antihero Essay

1. Introduction Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus has been an enigmatic play attracting contentious interpretation on whether the character of Dr. John Faustus is considered an antihero or not. Doctor Faustus is the 16th century character popularly known as the Faustian myth who agrees to make a deal with the devil that is of his soul in exchange for worldly power and knowledge. This type of character is known as an antihero. The problem with this character is that it draws both opinions of ...

Horatio (Hamlet): Character Analysis Essay

1. Introduction The play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare takes place in the late Middle Ages in Denmark, during the 14th and 15th centuries. The theme, as we shall see, is a profound and penetrating one; it concerns the nature of evil and a man's free will. In this essay, I am going to write about the nature of evil in the play. In his writing, "On the Nature of Evil" (The Macmillan Co., 1957), Ernest Harms states the thesis of his book early. He writes, "Evil is a lack... it is a negative, a p ...

“The Merchant of Venice” as a Comedy Essay

1. Introduction The Merchant of Venice was first published in 1600. This play is strange - how the coming-of-age, love, friendship, and impression of change for one's own sense of self. In this play, Shakespeare first introduces the notion of change and its effect on human selves. The main plot of the play is a young Venetian, Bassanio, who needs a loan of three thousand ducats so that he can woo Portia, a worthy lady of Belmont. To Bassanio's delight, the loan is to be had without interest, in ...

The Tempest: Ferdinand's Self-Discovery Essay

1. Introduction As a final point, these experiences bring about the third stage of self-discovery which is vitally important for Ferdinand. No sooner has Ferdinand met Prospero than the latter offers him his daughter in marriage for sinking the ship. He agrees and in doing so is willing to forfeit his kinship despite the fact that he believes he is the only survivor of the shipwreck. This is important as Ferdinand has crossed the threshold and cut himself off from the old way of life. He moves ...

“Phaedra” by Jean Racine: Tragedy' Causes Essay

1. Introduction Phaedra was first performed in 1677, a year after the death of Jean Racine. In many ways, it is unique among Racine's eleven plays. Its setting at Troezen, in the period immediately before Theseus is punished by exile and death, is unusual for Greek myth tragedies. Its tone is also different. The only Racine play it resembles in its relentless pessimism and coldness is Bérénice. It is a moralizing play; even Hippolytus is given long speeches rationalizing his behavior in terms o ...

A Christmas Carol by Dickens

1. Introduction Dickens believed society could be changed by a change of heart; his character, Scrooge, is entirely changed by the end of the story. The story was written in 1843 and was very much about the situation for the poor in those times. Life for the poor in the 19th century was difficult. Misery and poverty could be found everywhere, and the poor could be found almost everywhere. There were many different classes in the 19th century, all with varying standards of living. The gulf betwe ...

“No Man Is An Island” Poem by John Donne – An Analysis

Humans love a good quote, and the subject of our discussion today is one that includes two immensely famous quotes. The first of which is in the title of the article itself, because we are looking at the No Man Is An Island poem by John Donne, and it includes both the famous phrase that is the title, as well as the phrase, “for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee”. These two quotes alone, which are so closely connected to one another in the text itself, should be enough to pique some interest as to how exactly they are connected to one another. So, if you want to know and understand just how and why they are attached to one another, and perhaps learn a few other things along the way, then give this article and analysis a shot!

Table of Contents

• 1 No Man Is An Island Poem by John Donne Analysis
• 2 No Man Is An Island Poem by John Donne Summary Points
• 3 Biography of John Donne
• 4.1 Section One
• 4.2 Section Two
• 4.3 Section Three
• 5 The Themes of the No Man Is An Island Poem by John Donne
• 6.1 What Is the No Man Is An Island Poem by John Donne?
• 6.2 Who Was John Donne?
• 6.3 Who Were the Metaphysical Poets?
• 6.4 What Other Texts Did John Donne Write?
• 6.5 What Are the Themes of the No Man Is An Island Poem by John Donne?

No Man Is An Island Poem by John Donne Analysis

There are the occasional things in this world that we perceive to be one way, but they are not actually that way at all. This is the case when it comes to the No Man Is An Island poem by John Donne. Why is this not the way that it seems with this particular poem? Well, probably because it is not a poem at all. Instead, this “poem” is an extract from Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions , which is a prose work rather than a poetic work. However, the particular section that makes use of the “no man is an island” line can be read as if it were poetry.

While the broader context of this “poem” will be discussed once we get to our actual analysis of the No Man Is An Island Poem by John Donne, it should be stated in brief here. The extract is from the 17 th Devotion, or Meditation XVII, of this longer text. It can be viewed on its own, but as with any extract, it is often best to view it within that broader context. We’ll have a more in-depth examination soon enough though. For now, we will first have a look at a few other small points that surround this particular “poem”, but first, a summary of things to come.

No Man Is An Island Poem by John Donne Summary Points

We all like to have a summary every now and then. It makes it easier to parse through the endless information that swirls around every single day. This is probably why we’re including one right here! While we will discuss things in more depth after the summary, this short section may be helpful to whoever may have need of it:

• No Man Is An Island is from Devotions upon Emergent Occasions . As part of this longer text by John Donne, it should be remembered and noted that the No Man Is An Island poem by John Donne is not complete and devoid of context. While it can be read alone, it is also integral to see that there’s a larger context at play.
• No Man Is An Island is about the interconnectedness of humanity. The meaning of the No Man Is An Island poem by John Donne may technically need to be understood in the context of the larger prose text that surrounds it, the text is ultimately about the way in which we as people are all connected to one another. We need to learn to understand this reality of the world because many tend to embrace individuality over an appreciation for our collective existence.
• No Man Is An Island is from the metaphysical poetry tradition. John Donne was the writer of this particular extract, and while it is not actually poetry and is instead an example of more poetic prose, it can still be seen as part of the tradition that incorporated intellectual ideas, heavier use of language, and a conversational style of writing.

A summary can go a long way to help someone out. Whenever I used to teach, I would provide my students with all sorts of summaries to help them out when it came time to study. Did it help them? It certainly seemed to! The additional resource is something that can be used to great effect, and so if you too would like to understand something but in a quick and easy format.

Hopefully, the above has managed to do exactly that!

Biography of John Donne

John Donne is one of the most influential 17 th -century English writers and an important figure in the metaphysical poets. Over the course of his life, he was a number of different things, such as a soldier and a secretary, but he has maintained an influence because of his literature. His work, interestingly, often fluctuated between deep poems about love and sensuality as well as various academic and poetic works about religious concepts and ideas. His poetry can be found to have explored various formats and mediums, and he produced scholarly work in fields unrelated to poetry. During his career, he was also employed at the St. Paul’s Cathedral as the Dean but spent much of his life engaging in expensive pursuits that drained much of his inheritance, such as travel and womanizing.

His work as one of the metaphysical poets would lead to him being a major figure in the development of complex poetry that made use of paradoxical concepts, ironic understandings, everyday language, and often unusual language. While the term “metaphysical poet” would actually only be a term that was applied in retrospect, he certainly did come to be seen as one of the greatest poets to have lived within that particular period of English literature.

An In-Depth Analysis of the No Man Is An Island Poem by John Donne

It has been mentioned before, but it stands to be reiterated because it is a rather important thing to keep in mind when analyzing something like this, but the No Man Is An Island poem by John Donne is a text that does not technically stand alone. It is part of a larger text named Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions , and so there are certain contextual aspects of the broader text that should be noted. For instance, the entire text was written while Donne was recovering from an illness, and so there are references to life and death, rebirth, and disease as something divine that comes from God because of sinfulness.

These kinds of aspects of the larger text will not be given any deliberate focus, but they do inform the text that we will read below.

Furthermore, the text is not actually a poetic text at all, but rather a prose one, and so the sectioning of the text that I do below is only for analysis reasons rather than because they are actual stanzas. However, even though it is not technically a poem, it has been treated as such by many, and I will continue that trend here because while the text is not actually poetry, it is poetic prose, and so thinking of it in poetic terms can be an interesting means of exploring the text. However, we are only going to get into the weeds of things if we actually jump in and get to the analysis!

Section One

No man is an island,

Entire of itself;

Every man is a piece of the continent,

A part of the main.

The first line of the No Man Is An Island poem by John Donne is one of the most famous quotes that Donne ever produced, and it has a rather simple meaning. The metaphor of landmasses is used to explain human connection. No humans are entirely alone and independent, like islands dotted about the ocean. Instead, we are actually all part of one great continent. This establishes the theme of human connection that stands as one of the themes of the text.

The final line reiterates this. No one is alone, because we can see all others as part of one unity, and so we’re all components “of the main”. As the work of John Donne was focused on religious and spiritual ideas, we can also see this as having a spiritual dimension. We may not be conjoined together in a physical sense, like some kind of grotesque Akira monstrosity.

We are connected to each other on a deeper and less physical level.

Section Two

If a clod be washed away by the sea,

Europe is the less,

As well as if a promontory were:

As well as if a manor of thy friend’s

Or of thine own were.

The idea of humanity being connected persists into this second section. It tells us that if some of that continent were to float away if it were to break off and disappear, we would be the worse for it. It makes use of three different images of something breaking away and washing away to say that they are all equal: a clod, or small piece, a promontory, a large section of rock, or even a friend’s home, which is something man-made but still part of the whole.

The second and final lines of this section explore the idea of the loss that would be felt. The second line mentioned how “Europe” would be “less” if anything were to fall away, and Donne was writing from a Eurocentric mindset, but in the modern day, we could use any continent or landmass. Whereas the final line states that “or of thine own were”, which means that we should see all of these different parts that may fall away as being part of a singular whole that includes us.

The whole is us and we are the whole.

Section Three

Any man’s death diminishes me,

Because I am involved in mankind.

And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;

It tolls for thee.

The final section tells us that the death of any should weaken and diminish the individual because we are all part of the same whole. And the last two lines are some of the most famous in 17 th -century English literature. It makes use of the imagery of church bells that have tolled to signify the death of someone, but if we are all connected to one another then we should not wonder “for whom the bell tolls”, because “it tolls for thee”, meaning the individual. Every death harms the collective, and every individual is the collective.

The Themes of the No Man Is An Island Poem by John Donne

The primary themes that can be found in the No Man Is An Island poem by John Donne have to do with humanity and our connection with one another. The poem wants to explore this idea of humanity being one and the same. We are not actually entirely distinct entities that exist separate from one another, but we are instead all part of the same great organism. We can see this in very spiritual terms.

The sense of community that the poem expresses to us is a major aspect, and the phrase “no man is an island” has gone on to be shorthand for this very idea.

We need each other. Humans are not meant to be entirely alone but are rather meant to be living among one another, collaborating and cooperating, to advance the interests of society as a whole. There is a supreme level of hopefulness in a theme such as this, a desire for us all to understand one another on a deeper level.

This sense of connection also continues into the final message of the No Man Is An Island poem by John Donne. When it comes to the death of the individual, the text expresses that we all die when others die. We are all part of each other, and so the death of any amounts to a death of the whole, and we are all part of the whole. These kinds of ideas have remained powerful comments on the connectivity of the human species.

With this final recapping of the themes of the No Man Is An Island poem by John Donne, we have come to the end of it all! This extract from a longer prose text may not technically be a poem at all, but it makes use of the kind of poetic language that lends itself to being interpreted as such far more than one might see an ordinary extract of prose. We have provided an analysis of the text, as well as a few additional pieces of information, such as a biography of the poet and some of the themes under examination. Hopefully, this article has been a good resource for understanding the No Man Is An Island poem by John Donne, but perhaps you also have your own interpretations of the text, and those should also be explored!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the no man is an island poem by john donne.

The No Man Is An Island poem by John Donne is not actually a poem at all. Instead, it is an extract from a larger prose text titled Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions . It is also, more specifically, from the section titled Meditation XVII. However, it has often been taken as its own text because it can stand somewhat on its own. There is technically a broader context around the text as a whole, but as it is written in poetic prose, it can be read on its own.

Who Was John Donne?

John Donne was a poet and scholar from the 17th century. He was a prominent member of what would retrospectively be titled the metaphysical poets. His work was often noted for its sensuality and its religious conviction. He wrote many different texts over his career, and his work is often noted for its use of ironic and intellectual musings, everyday language usage, and abruptness in their openings.

Who Were the Metaphysical Poets?

The metaphysical poets were a group of 17th-century English poets who all had similar general styles and ideas that they were expressing. They often wrote in a more conversational style, used intellectual ideas, and inventive expressions of language. The poets who have been put under this label did not create the term themselves. Instead, it was Samuel Johnson who would coin the term long after the metaphysical poet era had come to an end. For this reason, it was a term created in retrospect. John Donne would remain one of the best-known 17th-century English writers thanks to his work.

What Other Texts Did John Donne Write?

John Donne wrote in many different mediums, and he wrote extensively. When it came to his poetry, he wrote texts such as Death Be Not Proud (1633) and his Holy Sonnets (1633), but other than these, he also wrote prose texts like Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions (1624). In addition to these kinds of texts, he also wrote various epigrams, sermons, and translations. His work was extensive and has become immensely influential. He would also go on to be seen as one of the preeminent members of the metaphysical poets even though this was never a label that he used. 

What Are the Themes of the No Man Is An Island Poem by John Donne?

The principal themes of the No Man Is An Island poem by John Donne have to do with the interconnectedness of humanity. We are all together upon the earth and we should try to understand our place in terms such as these. It advocates for an understanding of humanity as part of a greater community than the individual alone and how we will all eventually reach our end. The text is a meditation on life itself and the very nature of humanity in general.

Justin van Huyssteen is a freelance writer, novelist, and academic originally from Cape Town, South Africa. At present, he has a bachelor’s degree in English and literary theory and an honor’s degree in literary theory. He is currently working towards his master’s degree in literary theory with a focus on animal studies, critical theory, and semiotics within literature. As a novelist and freelancer, he often writes under the pen name L.C. Lupus.

Justin’s preferred literary movements include modern and postmodern literature with literary fiction and genre fiction like sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, and horror being of particular interest. His academia extends to his interest in prose and narratology. He enjoys analyzing a variety of mediums through a literary lens, such as graphic novels, film, and video games.

Justin is working for artincontext.org as an author and content writer since 2022. He is responsible for all blog posts about architecture, literature and poetry.

Learn more about Justin van Huyssteen and the Art in Context Team .

Cite this Article

Justin, van Huyssteen, ““No Man Is An Island” Poem by John Donne – An Analysis.” Art in Context. January 22, 2024. URL: https://artincontext.org/no-man-is-an-island-poem-by-john-donne/

van Huyssteen, J. (2024, 22 January). “No Man Is An Island” Poem by John Donne – An Analysis. Art in Context. https://artincontext.org/no-man-is-an-island-poem-by-john-donne/

van Huyssteen, Justin. ““No Man Is An Island” Poem by John Donne – An Analysis.” Art in Context , January 22, 2024. https://artincontext.org/no-man-is-an-island-poem-by-john-donne/ .

Similar Posts

“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes Analysis – A Closer Look

“Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou – A Poetic Analysis

“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth – Analysis

Easy Poems to Analyze – A Beginners Guide to Poetry Analysis

“Annabel Lee” Poem by Edgar Allan Poe – A Detailed Analysis

“Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley Analysis – A Deep Dive

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — John Donne — The Theme of Interconnectedness in No Man is an Island by John Donne

The Theme of Interconnectedness in No Man is an Island by John Donne

• Categories: John Donne

About this sample

Words: 1073 |

Pages: 2.5 |

Published: Jun 29, 2018

Words: 1073 | Pages: 2.5 | 6 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 887 words

3.5 pages / 1676 words

3 pages / 1406 words

7 pages / 3276 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

The Flea by John Donne is a metaphysical love poem which takes the form of an erotic humorous narrative. The predominant theme in this poem is seduction which is illustrated using a persuasive conceit of a humble flea. The [...]

Separation of Two Worlds Within John Donne’s “The Sun Rising” Published in 1633, John Donne’s poem “The Sun Rising” represents an era of metaphysical literary strategies. In order to capture the engrossing love of the [...]

When analyzing a work by John Donne it is important to remember that Donne was arguably one of the most influential poets of his time. It is imperative for readers to be aware that Donne’s use of complex metaphors and imagery [...]

In the majority of John Donne’s poetry, it is easy to characterize Donne as a domineering speaker, one who frequently overbears the female voice. Yet in “The Flea,” Donne complicates the prototypical gender roles seen in most [...]

John Donne’s “Holy Sonnet XIV” is filled with Biblical imagery and language suggestive of Psalmic platitude. Batter my heart, three person’d God; for, you As yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend; That I may [...]

A government of an ideal society is meant to represent the people. It is the people’s choice to support, to select, and to seize government. The idea of open communication is employed as a way for people to choose the best [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• Solved Answers
• CBSE Prose XII
• Anglo Saxon Literature
• Pablo Neruda
• Rudyard Kipling
• Maya Angelou
• Matthew Arnold
• William Blake
• William Butler Yeats
• William Shakespeare
• William Wordsworth
• Rabindra Nath Tagore
• Robert Browning
• Robert Frost
• Indonesian High School Poems
• Indonesian University Poems

No Man is an Island Meaning, Summary and Analysis by John Donne

The phrase “No man is an island (unto himself)” has percolated into popular parlance, and the suggestive thought of man’s interconnectedness overruling the dictum of his individuality (or even insularity) is hardly a new thought for us. But in the Elizabethan age when John Donne had composed the meditation “No Man Is An Island”, the poem is structured in a peculiar fashion such that the resultant effect on reading it is not merely a realization of the universal humanity Donne is hinting at. Instead, it is the lifecycle of each mortal being, being propelled towards his inevitable death, and even God’s schemes which undermine that imagined community of men. Rather than being dismissed as a utopia, the meditation stresses the urgency of how man thrives in the company of his fellow human beings, and how he is but an insignificant component of the entire scheme, equipped with his own intrinsic set of functionalities and dispensations in the world-order.

Any individual human being, contrary to any antagonistic opinion he might be entitled to, cannot extricate himself from the rest of the living, breathing cosmic continuum and pretend to be complete of its own positionality, of the integrity of its stance. It is implausible for one man to grow and thrive in society without the love and affection of his fellow-citizens. Likening the isolated and insular man to an island, Donne insists how the individual is but a component of the larger mass of humanity, the “continent”, and can only exist in conjunction with the world outside.

The use of the island conceit here is effective in tracing the loci of human lives as bound with empty, endless seas (symbolic of trials, tribulations, perils, frustrations and such) as well as in proximity to other islands. The man is born to live out his life in the companion of other men, exposing his perceptions and insights to the adversities of an unfamiliar world, which he is an integral part of, and which also appears within the microcosm of the individual. The myth of self-sufficiency which has long been propagated for the “western man” as a master of nature as well as of the self is demolished at the very onset of the meditation.

Land, when eroded by the sea, simultaneously diminishes the size of the landmass in itself. The European continent, which has been alluded to here, also incidentally is nothing more than a vast island adrift in the breast of tremendous oceanic bodies and tectonic plates, yet which is also constituted by its variegated and innumerable populace. The loss of the individual eventually amounts to a diminution of the collective; the macrocosm is never entirely insulated from the ongoings of the microcosmic. The promontory jutting out of the sea is as exposed to the vagaries and scruples of destruction by the forces of the sea and the wind, as much as man is susceptible to the bereavement of what he holds near and dear. The poet might be condemning the superfluousness of the materialistic life in stating that the loss of a friend’s manor (or the

The promontory jutting out of the sea is as exposed to the vagaries and scruples of destruction by the forces of the sea and the wind, as much as man is susceptible to the bereavement of what he holds near and dear. The poet might be condemning the superfluousness of the materialistic life in stating that the loss of a friend’s manor (or the subjects own) might be a devastating loss of personal property for the owner concerned, but that equivalent importance must be attached by each one of us onto every singular person who forms a part of the world we too construct and inhabit.

Under these circumstances, any death of any one man cannot, for the narrator, be held as being circumscribed within the immediate family. The death of any one man sends out a ripple onto the world, which is diminished by his “deletion”, and the poet sees that as a tragedy for the human race. The “involvement” with mankind that Donne projects onto the narratorial voice is his and it is a politically charged commitment to humanity that is being propounded here. The personal is political and vice versa and boundaries can only sustain differences so far.

The death of a man does not signal the arrestation of that chapter in the book if life at all is to be perceived as a book penned down by the authoriality of the Divine Providence, but rather prepares the ground for the conversional transcendence of that chapter in his life. The bell which tolls in silent remembrance of the deceased is there to remind all of us that it is our loss. The collective “thee” refers to the unified race of humanity across all divisions and prescriptions of race, gender and so on, and resonates with the chiming of the bells.

The wholly isolated individual derides or is forgetful of the fact of his socially encoded existence, and of the many principles and ideas flowing in him, which are but regurgitated reproductions of ideas which have originated in the community of his brethren. There are a conspicuous exchange and transaction amongst all men, an organic connectedness which vibrates with life and vitality.

The eternal flux of human emotions can be imagined as a drama unfolding amidst the colossal sea underlying the scattered islands of human achievements. The individual, when attempting to discern his unique place in the world, cannot set up more lines of division than there already prevails.  Cognizance of this oneness, of the commonality of what we all share in our identities and behaviors, can help combat the woes inflicted by the reality of mortality. Only death is capable of truly extricating one person from another, but even then, the deceased are never forgotten, and the saga continues to grow.

With no man existing unto himself, the suffering caused by singular deaths is shared by many, and by empathizing with the other’s grievance, the individual can also be awakened into the greater truth of his oneness. There is also a responsibility that accompanies the act of claiming emotional ties to other persons, and human beings can learn from the sufferings and experiences of their fellow brethren to better prepare themselves for their own deaths, which as was surely the belief in contemporary circulation, a transliteral migration to another world.

Some online learning platforms provide certifications, while others are designed to simply grow your skills in your personal and professional life. Including Masterclass and Coursera, here are our recommendations for the best online learning platforms you can sign up for today.

The 7 Best Online Learning Platforms of 2022

• Best Overall: Coursera
• Best for Niche Topics: Udemy
• Best for Creative Fields: Skillshare
• Best for Celebrity Lessons: MasterClass
• Best for STEM: EdX
• Best for Career Building: Udacity
• Best for Data Learning: Pluralsight

About the author

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Other related Posts

Subscribe to get latest update

Greatest Poems

No man is an island.

No man is an island, Entire of itself, Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thy friend’s Or of thine own were: Any man’s death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind, And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.

Summary and Analysis

• Editors Rating

In this poem, John Donne explores themes of life, death, and the human condition. He suggests that no man is an “island.”

Donne addresses humanity, asking everyone to reconsider how they perceive themselves and their relationship to everyone else. Donne creates a mood and tone that are contemplative and thoughtful, while direct enough to clearly convey the major themes of ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls.’

No man is an island

No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

Meditation XVII, 1624

#EnglishWriters 1624 Meditation XVII,

Liked or faved by...

Other works by John Donne...

He is stark mad, whoever says, That he hath been in love an hour, Yet not that love so soon decays, But that it can ten in less space… Who will believe me, if I swear

Mark but this flea, and mark in th… How little that which thou deniest… Me it sucked first, and now sucks… And in this flea our two bloods mi… Thou know’st that this cannot be s…

SEND me some tokens, that my hop… Or that my easeless thoughts may s… Send me some honey, to make sweet… That in my passions I may hope th… I beg nor ribbon wrought with thin…

Oh, to vex me, contraries meet in… Inconstancy unnaturally hath begot A constant habit; that when I wou… I change in vows, and in devotion. As humorous is my contrition

When my grave is broke up again Some second guest to entertain, (For graves have learn’d that woma… To be to more than one a bed) And he that digs it, spies

When that rich soul which to her h… Whom all do celebrate, who know th… (For who is sure he hath a soul, u… It see, and judge, and follow wort… And by deeds praise it? He who do…

'Tis the year’s midnight, and it i… Lucy’s, who scarce seven hours her… The sun is spent, and now his flas… Send forth light squibs, no consta… The world’s whole sap is sunk;

Oh my black soul! now art thou sum… By sickness, death’s herald, and c… Thou art like a pilgrim, which abr… Treason, and durst not turn to whe… Or like a thief, which till death’…

Forget this rotten world, and unto… Let thine own times as an old stor… Be not concern’d; study not why, n… Do not so much as not believe a ma… For though to err, be worst, to tr…

O might those sighs and tears retu… Into my breast and eyes, which I… That I might in this holy discont… Mourn with some fruit, as I have… In mine Idolatry what showers of…

Under an undermined and shot-bruis… A too-bold captain perish’d by the… Whose brave misfortune happiest me… That had a town for tomb, his bone…

Twice or thrice had I lov’d thee, Before I knew thy face or name; So in a voice, so in a shapeless f… Angels affect us oft, and worshipp… Still when, to where thou wert, I…

SEND home my long stray’d eyes t… Which, O! too long have dwelt on… Yet since there they have learn’d… Such forced fashions, And false passions,

Let me pour forth My tears before thy face, whilst… For thy face coins them, and thy s… And by this mintage they are somet… For thus they be

No spring nor summer beauty hath s… As I have seen in one autumnal fa… Young beauties force our love, and… This doth but counsel, yet you can… If ‘twere a shame to love, here ’t…

Home / Essay Samples / Literature / John Donne / “No Man is an Island”: A Thoughtful Deconstruction of the Proverb

"No Man is an Island": A Thoughtful Deconstruction of the Proverb

• Category: Literature , Philosophy
• Topic: John Donne , Meaning , Understanding

Pages: 2 (877 words)

• Downloads: -->

--> ⚠️ Remember: This essay was written and uploaded by an--> click here.

Found a great essay sample but want a unique one?

are ready to help you with your essay

You won’t be charged yet!

Lord of The Flies Essays

Frankenstein Essays

Beowulf Essays

Of Mice and Men Essays

Fahrenheit 451 Essays

Related Essays

We are glad that you like it, but you cannot copy from our website. Just insert your email and this sample will be sent to you.

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service  and  Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Your essay sample has been sent.

In fact, there is a way to get an original essay! Turn to our writers and order a plagiarism-free paper.

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->