Delight in Disorder

"Delight in Disorder" by Robert Herrick

"A careless shoestring, in whose tie I see a wild civility" (Herrick, 979).

The second question addresses the oxymoron in line 12 of the poem. The oxymoron contributes to the meaning that the imperfections make the perfect. The desire for imperfection is seen as a greater reward that the desire for perfection. In all of the imperfections of the woman, a perfection is followed after. Furthermore, the dress of a woman symbolizes all of the imperfections in a woman. Instead of criticizing the imperfections, praise is given. The speaker clearly believes that in the end, the imperfections are better than precision in anything as the imperfections leave nothing left for love. The title, as well as the oxymoron, captures the message of the poem with the delight. The disorder allows for the wanted delight that a perfect woman lacks. The speaker also believes that they is noting interesting or appealing in a woman with anything perfectly worn on her. The thrown on scarf allows for the speaker to be intrigued and interested in the woman.