"Thanks for Remembering us" by Dana Gioia

In “Thanks For Remembering Us”, Dana Gioia uses a whimsical tone at first but then uses an accusing and dark tone. She uses simile, imagery, and symbolism to show how trust can break down in a family and how their relationship can be affected. At first it seems like the flowers are nothing to worry about but when they can't figure it out they stop laughing and then “we wonder” if one of them is actually having an affair. The next paragraph explains the breaking down of trust in a relationship and relationship itself by using the flower as a symbol. The “iris was the first to die” with “it’s sickly-sweet and lingering perfume”. This shows that the sweet and happy part of the relationship has died out. Eventually the whole flower dies and “the room smells like a funeral”. This shows how the trust in the relationship has now died out completely. Gioia’s use of symbolism, simile, and imagery shows us how trust can be broken down in a relationship over just one “small crime”.

Analysis of "Otherwise" by Jane Kenyon

In “Otherwise”, Jane Kenyon uses an aware and thankful tone with the use of repetition and imagery to show how someone fortunate should realize that their life could’ve turned out completely different and to show how life changes over time and is not always the same. She repeats the phrase “It might have been otherwise” after almost every statement to emphasize how important it is to be aware of how lucky they are and to not take it for granted because life could change any day. He/she gets out of bed with two “strong legs” and sits at the table with “silver candlesticks.” She uses those details to show that the person is very fortunate and maybe even wealthy. The last sentence says “But one day, I know, it will be otherwise”, which suggests that the person’s life is just in one stage and that any day could turn out to be different whether it is for the good or worse. Kenyon uses this tone and literary technique to show how your life can change at any time and that you should not take it for granted.

"Modern Day Prometheus" by JJ Kampf

In “Modern Day Prometheus”, JJ Kampf uses a caring and soft tone with the use of imagery, simile, and irony to show not only the rebelliousness of children but the love parents have for their children by sometimes letting them have their freedom even if they want to seem strict. The kids are playing and having a lot of fun and their eyes are glued to the TV “like a hawk” which emphasizes how much they were into what they were doing. As they chew on candy the parents tell them “no sugary candy, none whatsoever” which is ironic because they continue to eat it. This shows that the parents want them to have their fun but at the same time tell them what any parent would say. With this use of tone and technique Kampf beautifully conveys the way parents show love for their children by having empathy for them and how children naturally rebel.