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Jan 9, 2024
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Uploaded by MateFangScorpion33
Assignment Title: Comparative Analysis of Poetry
Instructions:
Select Two Poems: Choose two poems from the provided list or select two of your choice from the same poetic era or on similar themes.
Poetic Devices: Identify and analyze at least three poetic devices used in each poem. These could
include metaphors, imagery, rhyme scheme, symbolism, or any other literary device.
Comparison Essay: Write a 3-4 page essay comparing and contrasting the use of poetic devices in
both poems. Discuss how the devices contribute to the themes or the overall impact of each poem.
References: Include a bibliography citing the poems and any additional sources used.
Selected Poems:
Emily Dickinson - "Because I could not stop for Death"
Langston Hughes - "Harlem" (also known as "A Dream Deferred")
Poetic Devices Identified:
"Because I could not stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson:
Imagery: Dickinson employs vivid imagery to depict the journey with Death as a carriage ride, using visual descriptions that create a serene yet eerie atmosphere.
Example: "We slowly drove, he knew no haste, / And I had put away / My labor, and my leisure too, / For his civility."
Symbolism: The use of symbols such as the carriage ride and the passing scenes symbolizes the journey from life to death, portraying death as a tranquil and inevitable part of existence.
Example: "The Carriage held but just Ourselves — / And Immortality."
Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows the common ballad stanza pattern (ABCB), contributing to its lyrical quality and aiding in the poem's rhythmic flow.
Example: "Because I could not stop for Death – / He kindly stopped for me – / The Carriage held but just Ourselves – / And Immortality."
"Harlem" (A Dream Deferred) by Langston Hughes:
Metaphor: Hughes employs the metaphor of a deferred dream, comparing it to various tangible things, to convey the frustration and consequences of unfulfilled aspirations.
Example: "Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?"
Repetition: The repeated question, "What happens to a dream deferred?" emphasizes the central theme while creating a sense of urgency and contemplation.
Example: "What happens to a dream deferred? / Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?"
Imagery: Hughes uses vivid imagery to describe the potential outcomes of a deferred dream, painting a picture that engages the reader's senses and emotions.
*Example: "Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. / Or does it explode?"
Essay Response:
Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death" and Langston Hughes' "Harlem" both employ various poetic devices to convey profound themes. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery and symbolism in depicting death as a journey contrasts with Hughes' metaphorical exploration of deferred dreams.
In "Because I could not stop for Death," Dickinson's imagery of the carriage ride and the passage of scenes symbolizes the inevitability of death and the tranquil acceptance of it. Conversely, Hughes' use of metaphor in "Harlem" paints a vivid picture of the consequences of unfulfilled dreams, evoking powerful sensory images that prompt reflection.
The rhyme scheme in Dickinson's poem and the repetition in Hughes' work serve different purposes—Dickinson's contributes to the poem's rhythm, while Hughes' repetition emphasizes the central theme, inviting readers to contemplate the impact of deferred dreams.
References:
Dickinson, Emily. "Because I could not stop for Death." Poets.org.
Hughes, Langston. "Harlem" (A Dream Deferred). Poetry Foundation.
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