Blog Entry 12: Poem Paraphrase

The poem I chose to paraphrase this time is “The Parish Register” (Crabbe 594). I initially conjured up images of a couple of kids playing “wedding.” However, as I retraced my reading and mulled through the poem a second time, I noticed that the Kennedy textbook indicated that it was depicting a “shotgun wedding” (Kennedy 594).

I found this poem to be quite humorous as the groom’s sluggish resistance and anger over a dumb mistake is quite obvious. I knew a few grooms who found themselves in just such a predicament. I suppose it’s really not that funny, but Crabbe did a great job capturing the setting.


“The Parish Register” Paraphrase:

Next up is a pair who had no luck.
They were brought here today because their strong passion led to no option other than marriage.
The bride walked in with a long dress that hung loosely on her body.
This was intentional so that no one would notice her condition.
The groom was just a young man who shuffled around and hid, while pacing in the back.
Finally, he peeked out to see if it was time.
He was both ashamed and angry.
He was a bit confused, and in a slightly drunken state, reluctant to move.
However, he quickly performed his duty.
But he did not look happy. He was angry.