Erin Conley
Mrs. Jernigan
AP Enlglish Lit
29 March 2011
Sestina
Florence Cassen Mayers utilizes the complex form of a Sestina through repetition of numbers to show the reader the important and memorable aspects of American culture. The poem connects many sayings unique to the United States to reveal the hope in her nation.
Mayers begins the poem with “one nation, indivisible,” and I feel that this is symbolic to her feeling that our country is united and will fight through whatever turn history takes to stay true to the founding beliefs of America. She then proceeds with other numbers describing different traditions and ideas originated in the United States. She reminded the reader of the different aspects of typical America life using, “three strikes you're out,” “two-tone Chevy,” “five-star general,” and a “hole in one.” As I read, it was so interesting to see all the sayings that I know so well and never consider to be out of the ordinary, but people from other parts of the world could have no clue what they mean. I think that was part of Mayers motive. I think she wanted to show the reader how blessed they are in America and how much they take for granted. Most of her examples were symbolic of the prosperity and “American Dream” aspect that everyone is searching for.
Mayers does not leave out some hard parts of America's past, but she does not dwell on them, showing our ability to move on from the past. She is showing that despite hardships, our country will fight to keep the history it has created together and prospering for future generations. It is also symbolic that she ends back with “one-horse town,” which just reiterates the unity of our country, that we started as one and will stay that way throughout history.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Villanelle
Erin Conley
Mrs. Jernigan
AP English Lit
22 March 2011
Villanelle
Dylan Thomas explores his feelings regarding death in his poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” He shows that everyone is fighting against the inevitability of death. He explores many types of people in each stanza to show the reader the despair and dissatisfaction of the people who are dying. He utilizes this tactic to show the human state of always craving more from their lives and never being content with what they have become, even on their last day.
Thomas shows how the people are going to “rage against the dying of the light” to get as much out of their lives as they can. He then starts with the “wise men” who are not appeased with the outcome of their lives because “their words had forked no lightning,” meaning they feel that their impact was not great enough on the world. Next, the “good men” cry about their “frail deeds” to show that despite their seemingly serene lives, they are still fighting the end out of despair. Then, the “wild men” come and they are not happy because they have come to realize “too late” that they have wasted their lives. Lastly, the “grave men” now that they are near death are now able to see all the joy they missed out on in the world.
The poem then becomes personal and the reader then realizes the whole reason this poem has been written. Thomas' father is dying. You can see the emotional torment as he says “curse, bless, me now,” a changing of mind caused most likely by the pain, because he does not want his father to leave him. He pleads with him to fight death and to not let death take him easily. Thomas seems to be taking an extremely pessimistic view on human nature, because he alludes to the fact that we are never satisfied, no matter what kind of life we lead. He seems to hint at his own personal fear of dying and offers no anecdote for the reader, which causes uneasiness, a feeling I believe he intended for the reader to grapple with after they read his poem.
Mrs. Jernigan
AP English Lit
22 March 2011
Villanelle
Dylan Thomas explores his feelings regarding death in his poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” He shows that everyone is fighting against the inevitability of death. He explores many types of people in each stanza to show the reader the despair and dissatisfaction of the people who are dying. He utilizes this tactic to show the human state of always craving more from their lives and never being content with what they have become, even on their last day.
Thomas shows how the people are going to “rage against the dying of the light” to get as much out of their lives as they can. He then starts with the “wise men” who are not appeased with the outcome of their lives because “their words had forked no lightning,” meaning they feel that their impact was not great enough on the world. Next, the “good men” cry about their “frail deeds” to show that despite their seemingly serene lives, they are still fighting the end out of despair. Then, the “wild men” come and they are not happy because they have come to realize “too late” that they have wasted their lives. Lastly, the “grave men” now that they are near death are now able to see all the joy they missed out on in the world.
The poem then becomes personal and the reader then realizes the whole reason this poem has been written. Thomas' father is dying. You can see the emotional torment as he says “curse, bless, me now,” a changing of mind caused most likely by the pain, because he does not want his father to leave him. He pleads with him to fight death and to not let death take him easily. Thomas seems to be taking an extremely pessimistic view on human nature, because he alludes to the fact that we are never satisfied, no matter what kind of life we lead. He seems to hint at his own personal fear of dying and offers no anecdote for the reader, which causes uneasiness, a feeling I believe he intended for the reader to grapple with after they read his poem.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Ode to a Nightingale
Erin Conley
Mrs. Jernigan
AP English Lit
8 March 2011
Ode to a Nightingale
In “Ode to a Nightingale,” author John Keats laments the futile desires of his life and how he envies the nightingale's freedom from this trap.
Keats is hopeless in the world, but the nightingale brings a new reality into his sight. He begins with his description of his heartache. The world is a harsh place and he is showing the reader his personal pain. The nightingale, though, begins to sing and he is delighted with the beauty of nature despite what he is going through. He tries to cope with it with drugs and alcohol, but these do not satisfy. The pleasures of the world seem only to intensify the pain. He then tries to fade away from the world, because nothing ever lasts, so he feels that life is pointless. He does not want to partake of the pain. He says that everyone worries about life, when, in reality they should not because everyone is going to die. He seems hopeless in his evaluation of his life, but the nightingale brings him some joy. The song of the bird is so beautiful and he wants it to be free. He feels that maybe poetry will set him free, but he is not sure because he is unable to fully experience the pleasures of the world around him. He then contemplates death as a peaceful and desirable alternative to his life. The nightingale then flies away and he awakens from this dream-state.
The author uses dramatic symbols to describe the follies of the earth and how they bring us no hope through the pain. He shows that the transcendent beauty of nature through the nightingale's song. His dramatic flow of thoughts shows the reader that he believes the truth and joy of life is found in a connection with nature and emotions.
Mrs. Jernigan
AP English Lit
8 March 2011
Ode to a Nightingale
In “Ode to a Nightingale,” author John Keats laments the futile desires of his life and how he envies the nightingale's freedom from this trap.
Keats is hopeless in the world, but the nightingale brings a new reality into his sight. He begins with his description of his heartache. The world is a harsh place and he is showing the reader his personal pain. The nightingale, though, begins to sing and he is delighted with the beauty of nature despite what he is going through. He tries to cope with it with drugs and alcohol, but these do not satisfy. The pleasures of the world seem only to intensify the pain. He then tries to fade away from the world, because nothing ever lasts, so he feels that life is pointless. He does not want to partake of the pain. He says that everyone worries about life, when, in reality they should not because everyone is going to die. He seems hopeless in his evaluation of his life, but the nightingale brings him some joy. The song of the bird is so beautiful and he wants it to be free. He feels that maybe poetry will set him free, but he is not sure because he is unable to fully experience the pleasures of the world around him. He then contemplates death as a peaceful and desirable alternative to his life. The nightingale then flies away and he awakens from this dream-state.
The author uses dramatic symbols to describe the follies of the earth and how they bring us no hope through the pain. He shows that the transcendent beauty of nature through the nightingale's song. His dramatic flow of thoughts shows the reader that he believes the truth and joy of life is found in a connection with nature and emotions.
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