Question

Explain what Coleridge achieved by combining real and imagined details in his poem “Kubla Khan.” What principle does he promote through this practice? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Answer 1

Coleridge combined real and imagined details in his poem "Kubla Khan". The principle that he is promoting through this practice is the transformative power of imagination. When you try to imagine the things you want, you will develop a space in your subconscious that tells you that you can do these things or you can go to these places. The first step in attaining a goal is to imagine it. As he speaks of the fountain in lines 17 - 24, he says, "And from this chasm, with ceaseless turmoil seething, as if this earth in fast thick pants were breathing." The reader can cleary comprehend the turmoil the water creates as it passes quickly through the chasm, but it takes one's imagination to consider this same river panting and breathing.

Coleridge also brings this principle to bearas he tells of the music that is produced by the rushing river, "The shadow of the dome of pleasure, floated midway on teh waves, where was heard the mingled measure, from the fountains and the caves". Obviously rushing water makes noises and this the reader quickly grasps, but Coleridge turns these sounds into a song. How the mind races to keep pace with such a river, with such a poem.

Again when telling of the chasm, he writes "Down the green hill athwart a cedarn cover! A place as holy and enchanted". Thoughts of a hidden wood with nymphs and fairies come to mind. Through these techniques, Coleridge pushes the reader to think outside-the-box, to consider the unattainable, and to dream.

Answer 2

Coleridge combined real and imagined details in his poem "Kubla Khan". The principle that he is promoting through this practice is the transformative power of imagination. When you try to imagine the things you want, you will develop a space in your subconscious that tells you that you can do these things. The first step in attaining a goal is to think of attaining it.