... open. The poem, "Blues-, by Derek Walcott illustrates the close-mindedness of people: they cannot accept others unlike themselves. Through the poet's inventive and monosyllabic word choice, the poem's intense themes regarding the appalling truths of racism, the struggle of inner peace, and the innocence of youth emerge. Because racists deny complete humanity to others, because they fail the humanity in ... reader understand the extreme inner conflicts of ignorance and insecurity involved in racial conflicts. Because colors represent universal symbols, many color-related words "dark, yel...

• Word Count: 595
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... and knowledge, determination and power through the effective use of his language, symbols and motifs and setting. In this essay, I will discuss how these themes are clearly portrayed to the reader and how the story is made more powerful through the use of them. Firstly, the story is one that introduces ... the end of the play, the sympathy that is felt by the readers is drastic. The use of Sophocles' language in this translated version of his play has a very distinct writing style and a powerful tone. Firstly, the tone is tragic, sympathetic, foreboding and ironic. Since there's no narrat...

• Word Count: 511
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... "sick leaves" foreshadow disease and death, which is reinforced by how they "reel down in throngs." The word "reel" also has connotations of illness as a person might reel when feeling faint or ill. The word "reel" also means a Scottish or Irish dance. This ... quot; and the "pathways neat" which illustrates cleaning and decorating, activities usually reserved for happy times. However the word "creeping" has subtle undertones of unstoppable power of the time. It also comes with connotations of sneaking up on you unawares. The contrasting final two lines mention & ... is ript from the wal...

• Word Count: 905
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... sorrow as "grass flames," which reminds us of the living fire that can provide us warmth, but also burn. Therefore, nature is not just "a place we live in," but it has a life, it moves. In addition, nature is constantly compared to humanity's mundane life in order to prove the readers that man is an integral part of nature and that it ... ...

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... both things she's held dear and common items. Although losing someone or something important to your life may hurt you emotionally, One Art by Elizabeth Bishop demonstrates that eventually one has to move on. Interpreting this and any work as a formalist critic, one must ignore the outside influences that inspired Bishop to express themselves though poetry or other literally means. Although ... ...

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Throughout history, the quest for power has dominated the world. Wars have been fought, sometimes even on a global scale, that have ultimately led to where we are today. However, it isn't just humans that seek to gain ... on how, just because someone is evil, it doesn't mean that they can't love. It gives an overarching sense of sadness to 'Nothing's Changed', as even though the apartheid has ended, the poet believes that discrimination against certain groups in society will still continue. This shows how hard it is for people who once had power to relinquish it. One ... ...

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Essay Topic: An analysis of the ideological implication of Andrew Marvell's poem, "To His Coy Mistress", in respect to similar themes in William Shakespeare's Sonnets "18" and "73". There is an uncomfortable shallowness of the contextual nature of Andrew Marvell's poem, ... His Coy Mistress", as it involves strictly someone's adoration of someone else. The similarity can be seen in the use of a similar metaphorical reality where time has no boundries on the beauty in question. When the beautiful person is compared to a summer's day, they are explained as being highly superior, as "summer ... ...

• Word Count: 1243
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... suggests a theme of love while the theme of eternity develops through figurative language and metaphor. In Sonnet 55, however, the speaker reverses the themes. The speaker openly suggests the theme of eternity while the theme of love develops through figurative language and metaphor. The speaker does this by presenting ... a contrast between the material world and the immaterial world. Despite this elementary difference in how the speaker illustrates these two themes, once they are established, it becomes apparent that the theme eternity forms the backbone in both sonnets, while, the the...

• Word Count: 818
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... odds in the game of life- (Bloom1 210) Maya's collection of poetry And Still I Rise, vividly reflects the self-confidence and self-love she has obtained throughout her numerous experiences, good and bad. This collection includes probably her most well known work, "Phenomenal Woman."" "In this hymn-like poem ... in her life or in her work."" (Bloom2 51) "Much of Angelou's poetry, almost entirely short lyrics, expresses in short, often jazzy rhythms, themes common to the life experiences of many American blacks- (Bloom2 20) Throughout her work, Maya transformed from the bashful, awkward bla...

• Word Count: 1347
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Gwen Harwood's distinct themes on gender construction in society and identity can be seen in her two poems, "The Carnival of Venice" (1969-1974) and "Long after Heine" ( ... particular group, in this case, women) and how that was affected during her era. Written after the feminist movement of the sixties, both poems suggest that here has been little progress and development in the construction of women and gender roles as well as loss of identity. The typography of the poems, structure and figurative language are ... restricting this change with the meter suggesting that women will always ide...

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... theme of the poem: the government knew everything about this man, except who he truly was. The government only cares to know that their citizens are conforming and obeying their expectations as another 'unknown citizen' in the crowd. Another form of irony often found in poetry is situational irony, occurring when the final outcome of a poem is incongruous with the ... reader's expectations. Adrienne Rich uses a variation of situational irony in her beautifully written poem "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers". Narrated in the perspective of a niece or nephew, the speaker reflects on their ... ...

• Word Count: 1245
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... so long resided by the crashing waves and chilling water of the Atlantic. The traveler is in solitude, which evokes a sense of peace and understanding between the reader and the themes Longfellow is attempting to represent. Using "unspoiled" nature, the reader is allowed to use their creative imagination to interpret the poem in areas where the author left "gaps" or uncertainties ... waves almost appear to be calmly evil. The traveler's journey embarks from an unknown place to the sea, and although he does not gain from the apparently short voyage, certain themes of life are revealed. L...

• Word Count: 884
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• Grade Level: High School

... her poem, number 390 in Final Harvest (number 987 in Complete Poems), Dickinson challenges a world in which a woman must act as society expects her, while truly her capabilities exceed these expectations. Dickinson also, to a lesser point, challenges the rules of linguistics and conventional poetry, and ultimately, through both examples, forces readers to reevaluate the standard views of society. Poem number 390 ... in this way that both parties make a sacred and unapproachable agreement to the state of being fully recognized, or as Dickinson states, an "inviolable compact to notoriety....

• Word Count: 812
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... to be totally unaware of what the woman wants. The female character seems to be enjoying her isolation in the tower. But, she conforms to society's expectations (see lines 8 and 9 for examples). So she decides that she needs a man to help her out - just as society expects. However, she ... totally unaware of what it is that the maiden wants. The female character seems to be enjoying "her isolation" but she still conforms to society's expectations - "she had not been brought up to look for originality" so she embarks on a relationship with the Prince. However she becomes increasingly frus...

• Word Count: 839
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• Grade Level: High School

... of the boys, Neil, who wants to be an actor but whose overbearing father forbids him to , commits a suicide and dies . His roommate , Todd, is trying to live up to expectations after his brother becomes the school's valedictorian. At the end, Mr. Keatings is fired after being accused of having a negative impact on his students. Self-esteem becomes one of the ... we made in the future. By assuming that we are bad, we program ourselves for the failure. In our culture, many of us have hopes that are too high and expectations of ourselves that are very hard to accomplish. I, myself, set the...

• Word Count: 1420
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... about their time, which some called "the spirit of the age- 11. The Revolution generated a feeling that this was an age of new beginnings C. Millennial Expectations 1. The French revolution had aroused in many sympathizers the millennial expectations that are rooted in Hebrew and Christian tradition. The bible ends with the book of Revelation prophesying a return of human beings to their lost Edenic ... ...

• Word Count: 1040
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

In Edwin Arlington Robinson's poems, "Richard Cory", "Miniver Cheevy", and "Mr. Flood's Party", two themes are apparent in each. Each of these poems shows the regression of a character. These two recurring themes are "[One] theme recurs endlessly, the tragedy of each human being- and "These hard little poems are specimens of human experience in a world in which agony is real and happiness ... ...

• Word Count: 582
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• Grade Level: High School

... of Cummings's poems is markedly divided. Beginning with Tulips and Chimneys, reviewers described Cummings's style as eccentric and self-indulgent, designed to call attention to itself rather than to elucidate themes. Some critics also objected to Cummings's explicit treatment of sexuality, while others labeled his depictions of society's hypocrisy and banality elitist. When his Collected Poems were published in 1938, Cummings ... remembered for his innovative, playful spirit, his celebration of love and nature, his focus on the primacy of the individual and freedom of expression, and fo...

• Word Count: 1201
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... about ourselves and the rest of humanity. It is written material such as poetry, novels, essays, etc., esp. works of imagination characterized by excellence of style and expression and by themes of general or enduring interest A. Prose It is an ordinary way of expression of ideas written in sentences or in paragraph form. Kinds of Prose 1. Short Story It is a brief ... usually sad but there is a happy ending. c. Farce Is an exaggerated comedy, It seeks to arouse by laughable lines and too ridiculous to be true. d. Tragedy A drama in which serious themes are dramatized and the hero meets...

• Word Count: 627
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• Grade Level: High School

... steadied thinking that materialistic pursuits in life are productive. Robinson compels the reader to come to this conclusion through his careful and deliberate implementation of the themes in his verse. The only way that one can develop ties with genuine, feeling people is if he/she does not value the superficial more ... the "game- of life, one must seek a higher means of seeing the light. The poem that exemplifies a person who awakens to understand this and has to face its implications and consequences of it is "Richard Cory,"" Robinson's most well known poem. Robinson does not let the...

• Word Count: 1536
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... they come to terms with the realization and acceptance of the struggles that has plagued their lives. Firstly, the themes of both "The Mistress" and "On His Blindness" shall be revealed and discussed. Contrasting themes of both poems are sorrow and patience. The wife in "The ... work for God thus enduring sorrow but receives answers from God that teaches him about patience. With the close evaluation of both poems, there were themes that differed. Whilst the wife in "The Mistress" tried to maintain composure, her situation was one of hopelessness since the poem ended ... "The Mistress" is ...

• Word Count: 879
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... the passage of time. Now again through the use of imagery and figurative language the author seeks to parallel the theme of the passage of time to the themes of nature and human youth. He states "When I behold the violet past prime/ And sable curls all silver'd o'er with white" ( ... lines 3-4). These lines seek to link together the themes of nature and human youth to the main theme of the passage of time. First the author uses the imagery of a plant that is past "prime ... is also noteworthy because the poem begins with the author pondering on the passage of time, "When I think of ..." ...

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... York and San Francisco, / Again I tread the streets after two thousand years." This famous, and lengthy, poem has several sections which all house different themes. In the section where the child asks the speaker what grass is, he proceeds to explain his symbolism of the grass that ... cause that furthered unity and equality during his childhood. Another of his poem collections, "Sea Drift", Whitman swings to transcendentalism the poems often-contained universal themes of separation and love. "Passage to India", a poem from this collection, details a sailing voyage that is largely a met...

• Word Count: 1470
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... characteristics are regular rythmic patterns, carefully constructed stanzas, and simple yet eloquent language. Cavalier poetry is also noted for its themes. Love and loyalty, Carpe diem, and occasional sarcastic comments of the purpose of coy beauties are the three most common themes utilized by the Cavalier poets. Sir John Suckling utilizes the love and loyalty theme in a sarcastic manner in his poem ... "The Constant Lover". In "The Constant Lover", the speaker has been "in love" for three days. He anticipates that he may extend his love for ... the crowning of King Charles I son, Ch...

• Word Count: 370
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... idea or concept, which is not solely based on sex, but the roles males and females play in society because of sex and how society's expectations, taboos, and mores sculpt one's identity. Poetry is an especially strong reference to utilize when considering the differences in gender because it is commonly rather ... give into rain, (and) to the hours waiting - Levine recognizes the man's proud expression and thinks it to be his own brother because he has witnessed that very expression on his brother many times in the past. Levine's purpose for this expression is to identify the personality ...

• Word Count: 1608
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School