... Pulse of Morning," at President Bill Clinton's inauguration. She was the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since 1961. Maya Angelou's career has allowed her to make a difference in the world. She worked steadfastly for peace, love, and equality with many individuals such as Malcolm X, and Dr ... . Martin Luther King. She has received numerous awards including 3 Grammys, a Presidential Medal of Arts, and the Lincoln Medal. Angelou's ability to overcome racism, oppression, and other obstacles ... of hope in the face of despair, courage in the face of injustice, and triumph in the ...

• Word Count: 1024
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• Grade Level: High School

... be reflected throughout his literary career. This is the context that "I, Too" must be read in. It makes extensive use of the very same literary Cubism, the same dual-identity themes that run through the rest of his work. The very first line, short as it is, speaks volumes: "I, too, sing America," (qtd. in Subhash). The word "too" indicates that the ... a power struggle between competing peoples, was and is a favorite tactic of the ruling elite. Hughes undercuts this narrative through this use of family imagery. Family strife is particularly painful, and has the potential to become part...

• Word Count: 2547
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• Grade Level: High School

... "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
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... message(s) that the author imparts have timelessness and a relevance that goes without question over time. It entertains the reader and is interesting to read. Is universal in its appeal (i.e., the themes and insights are not only accessible to one culture or time period). It is also said that it shows thematic depth: The ... are many reasons why these works of literature have been classified as literary merit. The main reason though is because they all does not merely conform to the expectations of a single genre or formula, has stood the test of time in some way, shows thematic depth ...

• Word Count: 1594
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• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... , prohibition, women suffrage, and the Great Depression. Particularly after World War I and during women's suffrage, society's standpoint on certain issues changed dramatically. After World War I, people's attitudes swung with high expectations for themselves but were soon lowered after the economy's fall. During women's suffrage, society's focus on simple traditions shifted to concentrate on more of urban culture. The Great Depression also ... range of cultural reference to depict a modern world that is in ruins yet somehow beautiful and deeply meaningful (Spender). Eliot's later poetry...

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• Grade Level: High School

... 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
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... 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
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... 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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... the concept of self and democracy are the most prevalent aspects of Whitman's artistic works. Present in "Song of Myself" are several important themes: the idea of the self, democracy, and the self's relationship with the elements of nature and the universe. The self is the most central theme ... or the next generation moving forward and passing on to the next generation. All Whitman poems have a beginning and ending, and he uses many different themes throughout his poems. Many seem to think Whitman's poems is the story of his life. His poem "Children of Adam" covers the ... belongs to y...

• Word Count: 1606
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• Grade Level: High School

... hope and love of African Americans. The poems "To A Man", "To A Husband", "Women Work" and "Caged Bird" all hold one are two of these themes. Angelou has such a descriptive imagination. In the poem "To a Man" she creates a man of every African American women dream. My man is Black Golden Amber Warm mouths of ... dreams"(Neubauer2/144). When you truly believe in a dream of yours it will one day come true. Maya Angelou's poetry is evolved from her life. Themes of her work follow the events in her life. Maya Angelou is a very hard working dedicated writer. She uses her poems to speak about ...

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... 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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... 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
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... 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
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... that Romantism is connected with and limited by the topic of love. However, children`s innocence, adulthood`s corruption and nature`s beauty are also themes, the poets from the Romantic period are interested in. William Blake writes about those topics in his collections Songs of Innocence and Songs of ... . This change in one`s state show Blake`s personal transformation as well- the six years that stand between Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience has changed the poet, his view of the world and his belief in God. On the other hand according to Blake "the wrath of the ... that the...

• Word Count: 1920
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• 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 ... ...

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... 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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... 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
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... poems, it is necessary to look at elements of poetry such as diction, setting and situation, speaker, rhythm, and tone in order to understand the themes presented in the poem. The poem indicates that the speaker is a twenty-two year old person of color. Although the poem does not indicate whether the ... 's that simple" (Meyers). The tempo of the poem and the diction also show that self-understanding can be a long, confusing process. Most of the poem has a smooth rhythmic tempo. As the speaker begins to write his paper for his teacher, the tempo of the poem slows down and the words do no...

• Word Count: 1151
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• Grade Level: High School

... 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
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... , but there is no evidence to support this. The central situation is that one has to choose one road or the other without compromise. Frost also wrote an amazing poem called, "Fire and Ice," which involves three main themes. A major theme in many of his poems, including this one, is "nature and ... be lethal at their extremes. Together and apart is precise relationship of man to his fellows and lives at the heart of one of Frost's central themes. Frost is a strong advocate for individualism. Included is his theme of finalities beside the grave. Frosts poems are filled with many references...

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• Grade Level: High School

... to be an even greater writer. Today Edna St. Vincent Millay is considered one of the most talented writers in the literary genre. Some of her themes included nature, romantic love, impermanence and death. Edna's style focused more on overt feeling than on intellectualization. It is also characterized by forthrightness of expression, ... the views of people around her? These questions and many others were hard to answer because of her style. Other major themes included her interest in heterosexual relationships as in An Ancient Gesture or disaffected lovers as in The Spring and the Fall....

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... 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 ...

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... uses imagery to effectively depict the sensual aspects of the season. He uses denotation to portray complex ideas through the basic meanings of words. He uses connotation to portray many themes, emotions, and thoughts by only speaking a few words. One read-through of John Keats' "To Autumn" is all it takes for the reader to long for autumn to ... ...

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... ," making what the reader imagine become suddenly unfamiliar. This concept is all done by the pre-modifier "furtive" by its meaning of secrecy. MacEwen continues on imposing expectations trying to make internal unease, within the reader, in every stanza. It is as if MacEwen wants to make the readers to doubt themselves on what they are looking for ... ...

• Word Count: 552
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... of adoration towards the men who had such huge impact on his day to day life. Heaney speaks about how he feels towards the farm, unable live up to there expectations. "But I've no spade to follow men like them." In saying, "Between my finger and my thumb The squat pen rests. I'll dig with it." He finds ... ...

• Word Count: 816
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School