AP Lit Skill Test - Literal & Figurative Words & Their Meani ✓ Solved

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AP Lit Skill Test- Literal & Figurative Words & Their Meanings

Read the poem "Traveling Through the Dark" by William E. Stafford and answer the following questions:

1. What are the denotations of the following words from the poem?

   • Purred (verb)
   • Glare (noun)
   • Swerving (verb)

2. How does knowing the denotative meaning of these words (from #1) facilitate a literary understanding of the poem?

   • Purred (line 14)
   • Glare (noun)
   • Swerving (verb)

3. What are the connotations, representations, and associations of the following words or phrases?

   • “make more dead” (4)
   • “a recent killing” (6)
   • “listen” (16)
   • “pushed” (18)

4. How does considering the connotations, representations, and associations of these words (from #3) convey figurative meaning and facilitate an interpretation of the poem?

   • “make more dead” (4)
   • “a recent killing” (6)
   • “listen” (16)
   • “pushed” (18)

5. Which events in this poem convey figurative meaning through representations and associations?

6. How do multiple literary and/or figurative meanings in a text create ambiguity?

Paper For Above Instructions

The poem "Traveling Through the Dark" by William Stafford is rich with literal and figurative language, necessitating a deep exploration of key terms to fully appreciate its thematic depth. This analysis will address the denotative meanings of selected words, how they contribute to understanding the poem, the connotations of certain phrases, and how these elements facilitate interpretation as well as the ambiguity present within the poem's message.

Denotative Meanings

The denotations of the words in question are foundational to grasping the poem’s initial picture. The term purred (line 14), typically associated with the sound made by cats, denotes a low, continuous, vibrating sound. In the context of the poem, it brings an image of calmness, contrasting with the heavy theme of death. The word glare (noun) denotes a strong, harsh light. It can signify both physical brightness and metaphorical scrutiny, relevant to the dark situation and moral dilemmas of the poem. Lastly, swerving (verb) denotes the action of turning aside quickly to avoid an obstacle, reflecting the sudden decision-making involved in dangerous situations.

Understanding Through Denotations

Knowing these denotative meanings helps facilitate a literary understanding of the poem. For example, the verb purred gives a sense of serenity that contrasts sharply with the poem’s themes of loss and danger. Such contrasts enhance the emotional impact, leading the reader to feel the weight of the situation. Glare, representing harsh light, may suggest the harsh realities that must be faced, while swerving indicates the complex navigation required in life’s moral dilemmas.

Connotations and Associations

Delving into the connotations, we see that “make more dead” (4) implies an action that can exacerbate suffering or loss. It carries not just the literal sense of death, but also emotional weight concerning life and responsibility. “a recent killing” (6) has implications of urgency and morality—it hints at the immediacy of loss and the act of responsibility for that loss. The term “listen” (16) reflects awareness or the act of paying attention and has connotations of urgency as it pertains to life and death. Finally, “pushed” (18) can signify both physical displacement and the emotional push to confront difficult choices.

Connotations and Interpretation

Considering the connotations facilitates deeper figurative meanings within the poem. For instance, to “make more dead” implies an ethical dilemma—whether to eliminate a dead deer that could endanger other drives or to respect life in the process of removal. This not only mirrors the moral conflict within the poem but also reveals society’s often conflicting values regarding nature and civilization. Similarly, the urgency of “listen” underscores a demand for contemplation, where the decision carries heavy consequences. “Pushed” also reveals the tension between instinctual actions and conscious decisions.

Events Conveying Figurative Meaning

Key events in the poem contribute to its figurative language. The presence of the dead deer signifies not just the loss of life but also provokes thought around human encroachment on nature. The confrontation of the speaker with this scene reveals the broader conflict between progress (illustrated by the car) and preservation (represented by the deer). Each decision made—whether to remove the deer—symbolizes larger societal issues regarding responsibility and environmental concern.

Ambiguity Through Multiple Meanings

The interplay of multiple literary meanings introduces ambiguity throughout the text. For example, the decision of the speaker to remove the deer can be interpreted in various ways—do they act from responsibility, or impulse? The tension between cultural narratives about human authority over nature and the natural world’s claim to existence results in various interpretations of moral duty to act or refrain from acting in the face of death. This opens the dialogue for readers to reflect on their perceptions of nature, technology, and responsibility.

In conclusion, William Stafford’s "Traveling Through the Dark" uses both denotative and connotative language effectively to explore complex themes of life and death, responsibility, and the dynamic tension between human civilization and the natural world. Through dense imagery and poignant language, the poem invites readers to reflect on not only the depicted events but also their implications for human existence.

References

• Stafford, W. (1998). "Traveling through the Dark" from The Way It Is: New and Selected Poems.
• Simpson, P. (2004). Stylistics: A Resource Book for Students. Routledge.
• Leitch, V. (2010). The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Howe, D. (2012). William Stafford and the Resistance to Modernism. Poetry Foundation.
• Wright, A. R. (2006). The Environmental Imagination in American Literature: Ecocriticism and the Poetic Voice. University Press of Kentucky.
• Murfin, R. & Ray, S. (2009). The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms. Bedford/St. Martin's.
• Brock, T. (2013). Poetry in America: A History of the New Voice in Literature. Cambridge University Press.
• Pound, E. (2004). The ABC of Reading. New Directions Publishing.
• Riffaterre, M. (1978). Semiotics of Poetry. Indiana University Press.
• Frye, N. (1957). Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton University Press.

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