PASSAGE V – Unseen Commentary Outline
I. Introduction
A. Thesis Statement: Hardy displays a strong sense of affection showing how true love cannot be broken despite change.
B. Literal meaning of the poem
C. Pinpointing literary devices used in the poem
II. Literal translation of the poem “The Voice”
A. The speaker and his connection to whom the poem refers to.
B. Speaker’s deep desire for love, or the love he once had.
C. The meaning behind the voices the speaker hears in the poem
III. Usage of literary techniques utilized in the poem.
A. How imagery illustrates a vivid picture of Hardy’s thoughts and gives the reader something to visualize.
B. Significance of the rhyme scheme in the poem.
C. Usage of constant alliteration in every stanza in the poem.
IV. Conclusion
A. Reiterate on thesis statement
B. State major impact literary devices had on the poem overall
C. How this poem can relate to real life situations
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Anse Bundren: Character Analysis
As I Lay Dying: Character Analysis (Anse Bundren)
Anse Bundren, the husband of the deceased Addie Bundren, is a character which can be found relatively simple to detest, not only to the cast of characters in the novel, but to the reader, as well. Anse has four children with Addie which consist of three males and one female, Cash, Darl, Vardaman, and Dewey Dell. All of his children share a common dislike for him. In my opinion, Anse, as a man, is very weak. He lacks showing the responsibilities in which men are suppose to carry.
Anse cares for nothing unrelated to himself. When his wife dies, he is more than delighted to bury her in her hometown of Jefferson. Anse’s dominant characteristic portrayed throughout the novel is his laziness. After Anse encounters fainting from what he believes was his intense sweating, he figures that if he ever were to sweat again that he would die. This is the main contribution as to why Anse is so lazy. This also plays a role as to why his very own children dislike him.
In my opinion, I feel that Anse’s distorted figure (his hunchback) can be analyzed from a religious perspective. Anse believes in and makes multiple references to God and the Lord. For example, Anse states, “Eight miles of the sweat of his body washed up outen the Lord’s earth, where the Lord Himself told him to put it.” (110) This just comes to show his personally connection with religion and the Lord in his case. As a result of Anse’s selfishness and carelessness towards others, he is put under a circumstance in which he cannot fix or overcome.
From what the text provides about Anse, it is evident to see why his own family does not like him. His disgusting ways set him away further and further, not only from his family, but from his personal ties with the Lord. His love for his wife is also something to question seeing how one of his major goals set for himself was burying his wife. But as I see it, it is clear to see that he has no emotions towards his very own family, signifying why other characters in the novel, as well as some readers of the text dislike Anse Bundren.
Anse Bundren, the husband of the deceased Addie Bundren, is a character which can be found relatively simple to detest, not only to the cast of characters in the novel, but to the reader, as well. Anse has four children with Addie which consist of three males and one female, Cash, Darl, Vardaman, and Dewey Dell. All of his children share a common dislike for him. In my opinion, Anse, as a man, is very weak. He lacks showing the responsibilities in which men are suppose to carry.
Anse cares for nothing unrelated to himself. When his wife dies, he is more than delighted to bury her in her hometown of Jefferson. Anse’s dominant characteristic portrayed throughout the novel is his laziness. After Anse encounters fainting from what he believes was his intense sweating, he figures that if he ever were to sweat again that he would die. This is the main contribution as to why Anse is so lazy. This also plays a role as to why his very own children dislike him.
In my opinion, I feel that Anse’s distorted figure (his hunchback) can be analyzed from a religious perspective. Anse believes in and makes multiple references to God and the Lord. For example, Anse states, “Eight miles of the sweat of his body washed up outen the Lord’s earth, where the Lord Himself told him to put it.” (110) This just comes to show his personally connection with religion and the Lord in his case. As a result of Anse’s selfishness and carelessness towards others, he is put under a circumstance in which he cannot fix or overcome.
From what the text provides about Anse, it is evident to see why his own family does not like him. His disgusting ways set him away further and further, not only from his family, but from his personal ties with the Lord. His love for his wife is also something to question seeing how one of his major goals set for himself was burying his wife. But as I see it, it is clear to see that he has no emotions towards his very own family, signifying why other characters in the novel, as well as some readers of the text dislike Anse Bundren.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Commentary: “A Sad Child”
In the poem “A Sad Child” by Margaret Atwood, the author implies that sadness, or the state of, can be overcame by the likes of the individual. The author also suggests that clenching to sadness can be perilous for anyone and can result in superfluous outcomes. Atwood lacks literary structure throughout the poem, thus, leaving thoughts clustered together in stanzas. Despite the poem obtaining little to no structure, it consists of literary techniques in which enhance the poem, such as connotations to various other meanings, imagery, and the use of punctuation and diction simultaneously.
The title “A Sad Child” appears as contradictory to itself due to the connotations of the words ‘sad’ and ‘child’. The word ‘sad’ brings forth the thought of guilt, betrayal, or simply whatever puts one in a depressing mood. The word ‘child’ tends to represent innocence and can be portrayed as uplifting and joyous. With the poem possessing no real structure, this allows Atwood to say as she feels without the concern for following a certain pattern. The word choice or diction in combination with the punctuation she utilizes provides imagery to the poem, such as when she says “burning car” in the fourth stanza or “ice-cream smear” as stated in the third stanza.
As the poem may refer to the childhood of a female in her youth, it can be seen from the perspective of anyone. Not only does this poem relate to that of the female gender, but the male’s as well. Atwood stresses the fact that keeping a tight grasp on your sorrow is not the wisest of decisions. Doing so can be harmful to oneself, and others as well. As Atwood states, “Go see a shrink or take a pill” but do whatever it takes to overcome your sadness and not dwell upon it.
The title “A Sad Child” appears as contradictory to itself due to the connotations of the words ‘sad’ and ‘child’. The word ‘sad’ brings forth the thought of guilt, betrayal, or simply whatever puts one in a depressing mood. The word ‘child’ tends to represent innocence and can be portrayed as uplifting and joyous. With the poem possessing no real structure, this allows Atwood to say as she feels without the concern for following a certain pattern. The word choice or diction in combination with the punctuation she utilizes provides imagery to the poem, such as when she says “burning car” in the fourth stanza or “ice-cream smear” as stated in the third stanza.
As the poem may refer to the childhood of a female in her youth, it can be seen from the perspective of anyone. Not only does this poem relate to that of the female gender, but the male’s as well. Atwood stresses the fact that keeping a tight grasp on your sorrow is not the wisest of decisions. Doing so can be harmful to oneself, and others as well. As Atwood states, “Go see a shrink or take a pill” but do whatever it takes to overcome your sadness and not dwell upon it.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
"Follower"
“Follower” by Seamus Heaney
In the poem “Follower” by Seamus Heaney, Heaney expresses the love and bond between that of a father and son. The speaker, or the son in this case, looks up to his father and admires the work he does, as well as the way he goes about accomplishing the tasks his father set out for himself. Not only does the son articulate his love for his father and his work, but the father shows his love and care for the son, as a father should. As the son followed in his father’s footsteps all his life, the irony kicks as the child ages, leaving the father to trail the likes of his own son. With imagery as such utilized in the poem, one can vividly envision the author’s work and grasp a better understanding of what the poem has to offer.
The son had seen his father as a very strong individual with the ability to do so much, especially when it came to his father’s job, which was farming. He claimed his father “an expert” and always seen himself growing up to, one day, do as his father did, as well as how he did it. Although the son felt as if he was a nuisance to his father at times, the father expressed his love for his son despite the fact. What seems to be the paradox in the poem happens to be the last two lines of the play. The speaker conveys how it is his father who follows behind him now, and appears that he will not go away, thus, seeing his father as a nuisance as he claims he was to his father. Why he sees his father as a bother could ensue reasons as to why this is. The elderly state of the father could have played a role in him being a nuisance, or the father could have simply done or could be doing something unpleasant in the son’s eyes that resulted in the father becoming unworthy of looking up to anymore, leaving the son on top to care of his father now.
With such word choice as “stumbling” to describe his father’s action when the son figuratively becomes the authority emphasizes how much he has fallen off from the son’s perspective. The image of this can vividly be envisaged with such diction used, not only in this aspect, but throughout the entire poem. Heaney’s imagery in combination with his diction helps one to clearly comprehend a given situation in his poems. Overall, the poem “Follower” displays a sense of how what is on top does not always remain and that all greats come to an end eventually. This poem gives off the wisdom that one can make their way to the top, leaving them in charge and having others to follow what they do.
In the poem “Follower” by Seamus Heaney, Heaney expresses the love and bond between that of a father and son. The speaker, or the son in this case, looks up to his father and admires the work he does, as well as the way he goes about accomplishing the tasks his father set out for himself. Not only does the son articulate his love for his father and his work, but the father shows his love and care for the son, as a father should. As the son followed in his father’s footsteps all his life, the irony kicks as the child ages, leaving the father to trail the likes of his own son. With imagery as such utilized in the poem, one can vividly envision the author’s work and grasp a better understanding of what the poem has to offer.
The son had seen his father as a very strong individual with the ability to do so much, especially when it came to his father’s job, which was farming. He claimed his father “an expert” and always seen himself growing up to, one day, do as his father did, as well as how he did it. Although the son felt as if he was a nuisance to his father at times, the father expressed his love for his son despite the fact. What seems to be the paradox in the poem happens to be the last two lines of the play. The speaker conveys how it is his father who follows behind him now, and appears that he will not go away, thus, seeing his father as a nuisance as he claims he was to his father. Why he sees his father as a bother could ensue reasons as to why this is. The elderly state of the father could have played a role in him being a nuisance, or the father could have simply done or could be doing something unpleasant in the son’s eyes that resulted in the father becoming unworthy of looking up to anymore, leaving the son on top to care of his father now.
With such word choice as “stumbling” to describe his father’s action when the son figuratively becomes the authority emphasizes how much he has fallen off from the son’s perspective. The image of this can vividly be envisaged with such diction used, not only in this aspect, but throughout the entire poem. Heaney’s imagery in combination with his diction helps one to clearly comprehend a given situation in his poems. Overall, the poem “Follower” displays a sense of how what is on top does not always remain and that all greats come to an end eventually. This poem gives off the wisdom that one can make their way to the top, leaving them in charge and having others to follow what they do.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Punishment
The poem “Punishment” by Seamus Heaney, just like the bulk of his other works, consist of multiple counts of vivid imagery throughout the entire poem. As for Heaney poems go, it is if he tells stories, maybe even personal life experiences through the means of poetry, just as in “Punishment”. This poem uses an abundant amount of similes and metaphors to add emphasis on the imagery utilized. Heaney also does not include any rhyme scheme and structures this poem the way it is, perhaps, for a reasonable cause.
The imagery in this poem can be clearly seen or pictured in one’s head. From the nudity processed within the first two stanzas of the female in which the entire poem talks about, to the aftermath of the damage done to this female in the third through sixth stanza, to the sheer beauty she possessed in the seventh stanza, Heaney make it realistic as a poet and adds a storyline, not only to this poem, but to the likes of most of his plays in general. With the usage of the similes and metaphors also helps enhances the image that Heaney tries to portray.
This poem does not include a rhyme scheme whatsoever. Reasons for which I feel there is no rhyme scheme are because without one, it makes one focus on the poem as a whole. Most times rhythm and rhyme schemes puts emphasis on certain sections and brings to light some aspects of the poem in which the author may find more valuable than the rest of the text, but since Heaney chose not to incorporate any rhyme at all, I believe he wants us to gear our focus on the entire poem. This would mean that no one point in the poem is more important than the other.
Overall, this poem shows the death, or murder for that matter, of a beautiful young woman that happened to be an adulteress and sought pleasure by doing what others felt was not right. Her death could have aroused as a result of jealousy from the women in which tortured this young lady, or simply by the means of her wrong doings. This, I feel Heaney left to the reader’s interpretation. But, the fact that the speaker has grave affection for the lost of this woman and that he calls her a ‘scapegoat’ in the seventh stanzas stimulates the question of whether or not the young woman was guilty.
The poem “Punishment” by Seamus Heaney, just like the bulk of his other works, consist of multiple counts of vivid imagery throughout the entire poem. As for Heaney poems go, it is if he tells stories, maybe even personal life experiences through the means of poetry, just as in “Punishment”. This poem uses an abundant amount of similes and metaphors to add emphasis on the imagery utilized. Heaney also does not include any rhyme scheme and structures this poem the way it is, perhaps, for a reasonable cause.
The imagery in this poem can be clearly seen or pictured in one’s head. From the nudity processed within the first two stanzas of the female in which the entire poem talks about, to the aftermath of the damage done to this female in the third through sixth stanza, to the sheer beauty she possessed in the seventh stanza, Heaney make it realistic as a poet and adds a storyline, not only to this poem, but to the likes of most of his plays in general. With the usage of the similes and metaphors also helps enhances the image that Heaney tries to portray.
This poem does not include a rhyme scheme whatsoever. Reasons for which I feel there is no rhyme scheme are because without one, it makes one focus on the poem as a whole. Most times rhythm and rhyme schemes puts emphasis on certain sections and brings to light some aspects of the poem in which the author may find more valuable than the rest of the text, but since Heaney chose not to incorporate any rhyme at all, I believe he wants us to gear our focus on the entire poem. This would mean that no one point in the poem is more important than the other.
Overall, this poem shows the death, or murder for that matter, of a beautiful young woman that happened to be an adulteress and sought pleasure by doing what others felt was not right. Her death could have aroused as a result of jealousy from the women in which tortured this young lady, or simply by the means of her wrong doings. This, I feel Heaney left to the reader’s interpretation. But, the fact that the speaker has grave affection for the lost of this woman and that he calls her a ‘scapegoat’ in the seventh stanzas stimulates the question of whether or not the young woman was guilty.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Holy Sonnets: Death, be not proud
The poem “Death, be not proud” by John Donne is one that is not quite like the bulk of Donne’s poem. Typically, Donne writes poetry relating to or dealing with some form or fashion of love, but not in this poem’s case. In this poem, Death is seen as an apostrophe and is treated as if it were human, thus being personified. The speaker addresses Death on its habits and how it is nothing to fear, which also happens to be the overall theme of this poem. Literary techniques used in this poem such as enjambment, diction, and rhyme scheme contribute to the theme of not having to fear Death.
Donne’s consistent use of enjambments opens the poem to interpretation from multiple viewpoints. The tone of the poem suggests sympathy in the speaker for the personified Death. There, also shows a profound pity for Death by calling it “poor” in the fourth line of the poem. The mood of the poem is instilled with hope and an everlasting happiness from the likes of Death. This is made evident by the speaker from his constant reminder that after death, Death will be no more, therefore leaving Death to be triumphant over.
Overall, the poem shows how Death can be overcome by means of one’s eternal existence after they are dead and long gone from this earth. Donne indicates that death is something in which no one should fear or let conquer oneself. The connotation of “short sleep” in the last line of the poem can better help one to understand that Death is quick, and that afterwards Death would cease to exist. Donne wants people to realize that life should be lived without any concern for death, for thinking of it only makes it come much faster than expected.
The poem “Death, be not proud” by John Donne is one that is not quite like the bulk of Donne’s poem. Typically, Donne writes poetry relating to or dealing with some form or fashion of love, but not in this poem’s case. In this poem, Death is seen as an apostrophe and is treated as if it were human, thus being personified. The speaker addresses Death on its habits and how it is nothing to fear, which also happens to be the overall theme of this poem. Literary techniques used in this poem such as enjambment, diction, and rhyme scheme contribute to the theme of not having to fear Death.
Donne’s consistent use of enjambments opens the poem to interpretation from multiple viewpoints. The tone of the poem suggests sympathy in the speaker for the personified Death. There, also shows a profound pity for Death by calling it “poor” in the fourth line of the poem. The mood of the poem is instilled with hope and an everlasting happiness from the likes of Death. This is made evident by the speaker from his constant reminder that after death, Death will be no more, therefore leaving Death to be triumphant over.
Overall, the poem shows how Death can be overcome by means of one’s eternal existence after they are dead and long gone from this earth. Donne indicates that death is something in which no one should fear or let conquer oneself. The connotation of “short sleep” in the last line of the poem can better help one to understand that Death is quick, and that afterwards Death would cease to exist. Donne wants people to realize that life should be lived without any concern for death, for thinking of it only makes it come much faster than expected.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Commentary: The Good Morrow
The poem “The Good-Morrow” by John Donne consists of a variety of literary techniques in which attaches the meaning of the poem along with them. This poem includes numerous counts of rhythm-based literary features. These features consist of alliteration, rhyme, internal rhyme, and repetition. Other key literary techniques incorporated within this poem are diction, punctuation, and imagery. All of these techniques give the poem the tone it encompasses and adds to the overall meaning of the poem overall.
John Donne’s use of the rhythm-based literary devices presents the poem with a sort of certain flow that is to be followed throughout the poem. This conveys the reader’s feelings towards the opposing mate in the poem through a tone that love plays apart of. The diction and punctuation used also illustrates the picture of innocent child’s play in the beginning, to a more of a hope-filled romantic. Also, with so many questioned asked in the first stanza shows how unsure the reader is of him/herself.
Overall, the poem “The Good-Morrow” consists of a tone that is packed with compassion, and hope for that compassion as well. With the literary techniques mentioned and the imagery utilized, this poem expresses the meaning of determination and will power foe something in one’s reach. The ability to endure and never give up hope on anything can only build one as a person.
The poem “The Good-Morrow” by John Donne consists of a variety of literary techniques in which attaches the meaning of the poem along with them. This poem includes numerous counts of rhythm-based literary features. These features consist of alliteration, rhyme, internal rhyme, and repetition. Other key literary techniques incorporated within this poem are diction, punctuation, and imagery. All of these techniques give the poem the tone it encompasses and adds to the overall meaning of the poem overall.
John Donne’s use of the rhythm-based literary devices presents the poem with a sort of certain flow that is to be followed throughout the poem. This conveys the reader’s feelings towards the opposing mate in the poem through a tone that love plays apart of. The diction and punctuation used also illustrates the picture of innocent child’s play in the beginning, to a more of a hope-filled romantic. Also, with so many questioned asked in the first stanza shows how unsure the reader is of him/herself.
Overall, the poem “The Good-Morrow” consists of a tone that is packed with compassion, and hope for that compassion as well. With the literary techniques mentioned and the imagery utilized, this poem expresses the meaning of determination and will power foe something in one’s reach. The ability to endure and never give up hope on anything can only build one as a person.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Act of Resistance
For my act of resistance, I visited my previous middle school I attended in order to inform the soon-to-be high school students or eighth graders for that matter, about the effects and harm in which comes from the likes of teen pregnancy. Not having any personal encounters or accounts with that of teen pregnancy, I do feel as if you can only go downhill from that point. Going through the stress and agony of having a child while still in school is quite unbearable. Trying to balance the two with one another, along with multiple other issues one may be going through, is much harder than probably what I even think. As I explained to the eighth grade classes what you can get out of having a child at the tender age they are at, I could sense some of their minds swaying away from the likes of sex all together. Besides, they are entirely too young to even have their minds on those kinds of things anyway, in my opinion. I stayed completely honest with the eighth graders. I even told them how sex can be very pleasurable and full of enjoyment for some, but not to try it until they turn about fifty years old (which would be a joke by the way).I explained to them that chances are, that the more you have sex with someone, the more the risk becomes of you having a child, or even an STD (sexually transmitted disease) for that matter. Hopefully the kids understood the point that I was trying to get at and take into consideration what I said because the information I gave them will be highly useful in their later years. The pressures that come along from peers that concern having sex can easily force one to do it in order to simply fit in. Then, once you actually do do it, a slip-up can occur, as most of the cases with teen pregnancy, and that person could be having a child on the way. So be safe at all times, better yet, stay away from it all together! … (Just kidding! …But still be safe though!)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Both Kleonike and Myrrhina are leading women that are apart of the oath created by Lysistrata. They are like sidekicks to that of Lysistrata. Kleonike is the neighbor of Lysistrata and was the first person to come to the meeting held by Lysistrata pertaining to the oath. Myrrhina is a good friend of Lysistra. With the three working together, in combination with the rest of the women, the men would have a force to recon with.
Why is it that all of the men in this play are very weak in comparison with the women? Even when it came to the Chorus of Men and the Chorus of Women. The Chorus of Women had seized Akropolis from the Chorus of Men. The women are constantly manipulating the men on all levels. Even Lysistrata is able to sway the Commissioner to come to a consensus with her pertaining to the future of Athens.
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