Sam's Ap Lit Blog
Thursday, December 8, 2016
"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.
Monday, November 14, 2016
"Driving to Town Late to Mail a Letter" by Robert Bly
In Driving to Town Late to Mail a Letter, Robert Bly uses a serene and content tone with the use of imagery and diction to show how winter creates a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. It provides people with more times to do what they want to do. “The main street is deserted” giving him a certain sense of “privacy” which he loves. The “swirls of snow” and “the cold iron” that he notices are the only things that he has to worry about. There is nothing to bother him. He simply just wants to “waste more time” driving around because he loves the beauty and serenity that winter provides for him. Everything becomes quiet and still during winter and he enjoys the simple beauty of it because it gives him more time. Bly shows how winter creates this kind of atmosphere with his use of imagery, tone, and diction.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Hand Shadows by Mary Cornish
In Hand Shadows, Mary Cornish uses an intimate and playful tone with the use of imagery and metaphor to show the connection and bonding between father and daughter. The father is creating animals through hand shadows in a tent. These hand shadows represent the relationship between them. The “swan would turn its perfect neck and drop it’s fingered beak toward that shadowed head to lightly preen my father's feathered hair. This is comparing her father to a swan showing that her father is a gentle and loving person. In the end of the poem her “father’s hands became two birds, linked by a thumb, they flew one following the other.” This shows the connection between the father and daughter. They are like birds one who follows in the footsteps of her father and one who leads. The fact that they are linked by a thumb represents trust and security. Mary Cornish uses these techniques well to show the priceless connection between a father and daughter.
The Meadow by Kate Knapp Johnson
In the Meadow, Kate Knapp Johnson uses imagery syntax, and diction with the use of a lost and calm tone to show how the passage of time affects a person especially when the person is waiting on someone that is important to them. She stares out the window searching for “one true thing about the soul” but she lost track and started “thinking for thought” meaning that she lost track of what she was thinking. The poems stanzas split off before it finishes sentence making it more difficult to read fluidly. This might show how time is going by faster how her thoughts are racing. After a while she realizes that “two inches of snow have fallen” she starts to talk about how she wants her lover to come back. Waiting for a loved one to return can make a person sit with only his/her thoughts to pass the time but when the person returns to the real world he/she begins to become sad again. These techniques that are used in the poem convey this message very well.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Pablo the farmer and his assistant Epstein, stayed away from the war,
so they tasked to create the best farm with
the ripest apples, fattest potatoes, and the sweetest corn.
Local government looked,
and wanted a portion,
so they instructed Pablo to pay.
Pablo said, “Take this farm and you’ll surely receive what you want”,
but the land was dry,
not one sprout came up from the soil.
Enraged, they took his farm,
but Pablo still would stay.
The local government said,
“Come and take this brand new machine to help the farm,”
Epstein could not refuse.
The beautiful machine destroyed the farms soil,
And every plant galore,
and Pablo was left to rot behind bars,
waiting for his rescue.
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