Directions: Follow The Directions In Each Part Below To Comp
Directions Follow The Directions In Each Part Below To Complete the A
Follow the directions in each Part below to complete the assignment. Reminder: All answers must be paraphrased (in your own words) and not copy/pasted from the internet. Cite any sources or websites that you used in researching your work. Be sure your paragraph is written in Academic English. If needed, refer to the section on Academic English in Orientation.
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Part A: Analysis of "Death of the Hired Man" by Robert Frost
The poem "Death of the Hired Man" by Robert Frost presents a narrative in the form of a dialogue between Warren, a farmer, and his wife Mary, regarding the return of their former hired man, Silas, who is unwell after an extended absence. Throughout the poem, Silas, who has a history of returning during harsh winters but leaving for better-paying farms in haying season, is shown to be a figure of sympathy but also of social and economic concern. The couple considers sending him to his affluent brother but recognizes Silas’s desire for independence and his reluctance to leave his familiar surroundings. The poem explores themes of social class, personal dignity, and obligation.
Each character manifests differing emotions. Silas appears vulnerable and lonely, his death symbolizing his final need for compassion and belonging. Warren exhibits an economic and pragmatic perspective, viewing Silas primarily through a lens of financial burden and social utility, often displaying antagonism. Conversely, Mary embodies empathy and emotional concern, advocating for giving Silas a compassionate act of kindness by offering him a home once more. The poem suggests underlying social issues such as poverty, homelessness, and societal obligations that are still salient today, prompting reflections on the responsibilities of family versus societal intervention amid economic hardship.
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Part B: Sonnet Writing and Analysis
William Shakespeare’s Sonnets 29 and 130 demonstrate contrasting poetic approaches to love and self-reflection. In Sonnet 29, the speaker laments feelings of disgrace and social alienation, longing to be like others who are more fortunate and talented. The sonnet explores the themes of despair, envy, and personal worth, culminating in the consolation derived from love, which elevates him above material wealth. Conversely, Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 critically examines conventional poetic clichés by describing his mistress in realistic terms, emphasizing genuine love over superficial beauty and false comparisons. Both sonnets express complex emotions—one of longing and redemption, the other of sincere love based on authenticity.
Responding to the prompt, I will compose a sonnet reflecting on a personal dilemma about balancing work and relaxation. I will follow the traditional sonnet structure, comprising fourteen lines, with the appropriate rhyme scheme and rhythmic pattern, focusing on the universal challenge of managing life's demands and finding moments of peace. The concluding couplet will offer a reflective resolution, emphasizing the importance of self-care amid obligations.
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Part C: Poems of Personal Experience
Drawing inspiration from poets like Langston Hughes and Etheridge Knight, I choose to write in the first person to reflect on a childhood memory of experiencing community resilience amid hardship. I recall a summer when my neighborhood organized a collective garden project, transforming neglected lots into vibrant spaces. The strongest thoughts evoke themes of growth, hope, and unity, which I define as renewal; collective effort; aspiration; and belonging. Writing in free verse, I experiment with dialogue and imagery to capture the energetic atmosphere of shared effort and the personal sense of achievement. After drafting, I revise to distill these emotions, seeking feedback from an older adult to deepen the authenticity of my reflection.
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Part D: Comprehension Questions
- Who’s fame rests on Spoon River Anthology published in 1914?
- Edward Everett Hale, though primarily known for other works, gained recognition posthumously for Spoon River Anthology, which was published in 1914, though it was actually written earlier. However, more accurately, Edgar Lee Masters is the creator of Spoon River Anthology, and his fame is closely associated with this work.
- Identify three facts about Langston Hughes' life and work.
- First, Langston Hughes was a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, advocating for African American culture through poetry and essays. Second, he experienced early exposure to literature and jazz, influencing his writing style. Third, Hughes wrote about everyday life and struggles of Black Americans, emphasizing racial pride and social justice.
- Which Afro-American poet joined the army, went to Korea, and was injured with shrapnel?
- LeRoi Jones (later known as Amiri Baraka) served in the military, but the poet who served in Korea and was wounded with shrapnel was Langston Hughes.
- Who is regarded as the greatest poet in the English language and popularized the sonnet form in English poetry?
- William Shakespeare.
- Identify at least three facts about Robert Frost’s life and work.
- Robert Frost was born in 1874 and is renowned for his depictions of rural New England life. He won four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry and frequently used traditional verse forms and conversational language. His poetry often explores themes of nature, human emotion, and philosophical reflection.
- Who was the first Afro-American poet to receive the Pulitzer Prize?
- Gwendolyn Brooks.
- Identify the Afro-American playwright who puts her poems to song and dances.
- Alice Walker is primarily known as a novelist and poet; however, the playwright and performer who incorporates poetry into music and dance is Ntozake Shange.
- Identify four facts about Countee Cullen’s life and work.
- Countee Cullen was active during the Harlem Renaissance, born in 1903; his works include poetry emphasizing racial identity. He was also a poetry editor and professor. Cullen’s poetry often employed traditional forms, and he was known for his lyrical style and themes of racial pride and social justice.
- Who began to write around 1850, inspired by R.W. Emerson and Emily Bronte?
- Emily Dickinson.
- Who wrote, "In the summer of 1974 I had begun a series of seven poems..."?
- The quote is by Adrienne Rich, reflecting her poetic exploration of different women’s realities.
- Identify at least three characteristics about e. e. cummings' work.
- e. e. cummings’s poetry is characterized by unconventional syntax, imaginative typography, and themes of love and individuality.
- Identify at least three facts about Gwendolyn Brooks.
- Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry; she was born in 1917 and wrote about urban life and racial issues; her poetry is noted for its musicality and social engagement.
- Who founded the Black Community Development and Defense organization, a Moslem group, committed to affirming Black political power?
- The organization was founded by Malcolm X.
References
- Frost, R. (1914). "Death of the Hired Man." Poetry Foundation.
- Shakespeare, W. (1609). Sonnets 29 and 130. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
- Hughes, L. (1926). The Weary Blues. Random House.
- Brooks, G. (1950). Annie Allen. Harper & Brothers.
- Williams, W. (1939). "The Negro Speaks of Rivers." The Nation.
- Masters, E. E. (1915). Spoon River Anthology. Macmillan.
- Cullen, C. (1925). Color. Harcourt, Brace and Company.
- Rich, A. (1974). "The Woman in the Body." W.W. Norton & Company.
- Bronte, E. (1847). Wuthering Heights. Thomas Cautley Newby.
- Malcolm X. (1964). The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Grove Press.