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- 1. David Batchelor November 23, 2010 Period 5, English 12 Poetry Anthology The Nurse The day starts off like any other The nurse prepares for the challenges ahead And in the mind of the nurse, there is no dread For the patients await in their hospital beds Patient Mary has just received a knee replacement The Nurse must help her in the Physical Therapy Department For poor 59 year old Mary needs to learn how to walk again without pain So she can once again play tennis, her favorite game Meanwhile, like a parent to a hurt child the nurse works attentively for those in need Injuries, blood, bedside care, trauma and surgeries A terribly difficult job indeed However the nurse is trustworthy and respected Helping others and putting the patients first The trustworthy Nurse 1
- 2. Critical Analysis Structure: In this poem there are a total of four stanzas. The first two stanzas contain four lines and the last two stanzas contain three lines. Every stanza has a different Rhyme scheme as I worked towards different patterns in rhyming. The first stanza has an ABBB rhyme scheme. The second stanza has an AABB rhyme scheme, the third ABA and the last ABB. The simple rhymes have a great effect on the overall purpose of the poem which is to portray a responsible nurse to the readers. The poem is also relatively short compared to other poems however its interesting rhyme scheme and good structure sends the point across to the audience with little effort. Tone: The main tone is constant throughout the poem until the last stanza. The tone is neutral and informative and generally tells a story about the attitudes and common duties of a trustworthy nurse. However by the fourth stanza, the tone shifts to a more respected tone as the reader informs the audience that because of the nurses hard work and dedication, he/she is trustworthy and respected. Imagery: There isnt a lot of imagery utilized in this poem because its main focus is telling a story to gain an overall theme and idea about the world around us. However the audience can infer that most nurses are often involved in graphic and difficult jobs due to injuries, blood, trauma and surgeries. The audience can also infer that a nurses job can be relaxing at some points when the nurse helps people in the physical therapy department which is slow steady process yet painful for the the patients. Other Stylistic Devises: This poem is a lyrical poem because it is short, contains one speaker and expresses personal thoughts and feeling towards a certain subject, in this case, nursing. This poem is also a sonnet because it totals fourteen lines and has variations in rhyme scheme but not necessarily structure. The first two stanzas of the poems are quatrains because they each contain four lines. In the first stanza, there is a triplet line of poetry 2
- 3. BBB. In the second stanza there are two couplets AABB and in the fourth stanza there is another couplet BB. In the third stanza, a simile is used to depict the attentiveness of a nurse like a parent to a child. There is sight imagery utilized in the second and third stanzas such as walk again without pain and injuries, blood, trauma. Finally The Nurse symbolizes dedication and hard work. A nurse is reasonable for many important duties within a hospital and without nurses, a hospital would not be able to function. Additionally if one is to become a descent nurse, they must portray hard- working skills and a good attitude towards the field. Theme: The main point of this poem is to tell the audience that hard work and dedication is a key factor when trying to achieve life goals. This poem portrays a nurse whom is trustworthy and respected because of the hard work and devotion to the field of nursing. The nurse in the poem also enjoys being a nurse because it is rewarding and motivating. The overall main theme is the benefit of hard work and enthusiasm towards achieving your goals. Personal Reflection: I wrote this poem because I would like to become a nurse in the near future. I wrote what I imagined it would be like working as a nurse and that the only way I could achieve that goal was through hard work. I have always been a hard worker in school and outside of school so it wasnt difficult to write this poem. I also wrote this poem with a different style compared to the other poets in my anthology. I aimed towards a short cleverly rhymed poem that sufficiently sent my message across to the audience. One of my inspirations for writing in this poetic style is Taylor Mali who writes both short and long poems and Doctor Suess AKA Theodor S. Geisel which is where my ideas for many rhyming schemes came from. 3
- 4. Going to Heaven Emily Dickinson 4 Going to heaven! I don't know when, Pray do not ask me how,-- Indeed, I'm too astonished To think of answering you! Going to heaven!-- How dim it sounds! And yet it will be done As sure as flocks go home at night Unto the shepherd's arm! Perhaps you're going too! Who knows? If you should get there first, Save just a little place for me Close to the two I lost! The smallest "robe" will fit me, And just a bit of "crown"; For you know we do not mind our dress When we are going home. I'm glad I don't believe it, For it would stop my breath, And I'd like to look a little more At such a curious earth! I am glad they did believe it Whom I have never found Since the mighty autumn afternoon I left them in the ground.
- 5. Critical Analysis Structure: In this poem, there are a total of three stanzas. The first stanza contains ten lines, the second 9 and the third 8. Each stanza has a different rhyme scheme. The first stanza is composed of an AABCDAEFGH rhyme scheme. The second stanza is ABCDEDFGH somewhat similar to the first stanza. The third stanzas rhyme scheme is ABCDAEFE. In the first two stanzas, the rhyming words are actually the same words repeated except for stanza one which ends in heaven and when which rhyme. In the third stanza, the only words that rhyme at the end of the lines are found and ground. Tone: The tone in this poem is a generally astounded tone. The speaker starts many sentences with an exclamation mark to express their surprised feeling toward the fact that he/she is Going to Heaven! When the speaker is asked why he/she is going to heaven the speaker says that Im too astonished, to think of answering you! The tone changes in the second stanza to a more settled tone as if the reader has calmed down however still loud in his/her voice as explained by the repeating exclamation marks. In the third stanza, the speaker has completely calmed down and is starting to accept the fact that he/she is going to heaven however not immediately because he/she would like to look a little more, at such a curious earth The speaker doesnt completely believe in heaven but is glad that her loved ones who died believed in it so that he/she has a good place to go after death. Imagery: There are many instances where somewhat religious sight imagery is utilized in this poem. The speaker talks of flocks go home at night, unto the shepherds arm This is a pleasant sight imagery and gives the readers a feeling of home and safety. The speaker then goes on to describe what he/she perceives heaven to look like with robes and crowns. Afterwards, the speaker describes the world as being curious and full of wonders unknown to man. The speaker then speaks of the day that her loved ones died one mighty autumn afternoon when he/she left them in the ground All of the imagery used here is sight imagery and gives the reader a sense of the world that the speaker comes from. The poem also makes those readers who believe in a certain heaven ponder its existence and wonder what it looks like. Other Stylistic Devices: This entire poem is written in free verse because there is no particular rhyme scheme. This poem is also a dramatic monologue because there is a single person speaking throughout the entire poem as the audience listens. The first two lines of the poem is a couplet with heaven and when The speaker used this rhyming couplet to draw the audience into the issue that he/she is facing and the speaker does a good job of doing that. A simile is used in the poem to describe how going to heaven is as sure as flocks go home at night, unto the shepherds arm. This describes heaven as being a place of safety and security in this case the shepherd symbolizes heaven and the flocks are the people who have passed on. In the third stanza, an eye-rhyme is utilized once with the words earth and breath. 5
- 6. Theme: This poem sends a few agreeable themes across to the readers. One theme is the idea of being able to believe in your own religion throughout life. It can be inferred that the speaker is Christian or Catholic because he/she speaks of a specific heaven where you wear robes and crown. The speaker talks about building up the strength to believing in heaven and how one is associated with it. This tells the readers that it is acceptable to be unsure of your religion and your views of the afterlife. Personal Reflection: When I was looking for a poem, I looked up a few random poems from Emily Dickinson and saw the title Going to Heaven. I decided to look it up and saw that it was a good poem to add to my collection because it talked about religion and afterlife and up until this point, I had no poem on this particular subject. I thought about many things when I read this poem and I ended up asking myself, where will I end up after I die. Due to modern science, I am aware that there is no evidence of a real heaven however I like to think that there is and this poem made me happy to think about it. I also like the way Emily Dickinson wrote this poem with such a fast pace and yet easy to follow. 6
- 7. Life is Fine - Langston Hughes I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn't, So I jumped in and sank. I came up once and hollered! I came up twice and cried! If that water hadn't a-been so cold I might've sunk and died. But it was Cold in that water! It was cold! I took the elevator Sixteen floors above the ground. I thought about my baby And thought I would jump down. I stood there and I hollered! I stood there and I cried! If it hadn't a-been so high I might've jumped and died. But it was High up there! It was high! So since I'm still here livin', I guess I will live on. I could've died for love-- But for livin' I was born Though you may hear me holler, And you may see me cry-- I'll be dogged, sweet baby, If you gonna see me die. Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine! 7
- 8. Critical Analysis Structure: In this poem, there are six four-line stanzas and three one-line stanzas that separate every two stanzas. Most of the four line stanzas contain an ABCB rhyme scheme except for the second to last four-lined stanza which contains an ABCD rhyme scheme. Every one-lined stanza intensifies and summarizes its two preceding stanzas to add affect to the overall tone of the speaker. Tone: The speaker of this poem begins with a mild mannered tone when he calmly goes down to the river and sits down on the bank. At this point, the tone changes to a slightly confused tone because he tried to think but couldnt. The audience becomes surprised when the speaker jumps in the river and starts to sink. The speaker changes to a hysterical and scared tone when he surfaces the water and hollered and cried. The speaker then changes to a contemplative tone when he thinks about his suicidal actions. The speaker again repeats these tones in another cycle when he tries to kill himself by jumping off a building. Once again he thinks about his actions and reasons not to jump off and decides not to jump however he possibly would have if it hadnt a-been so cold. The last line gives a thankful tone when he realizes that Life is fine! Fine as wine!. Imagery: There is limited imagery utilized in this poem. Throughout the poem, a chronological story is told through the eyes of the speaker. Through this, he describes the water as being cold! The audience can also tell that the building is a scary threat because it was High! Although the sight imagery in this poem is limited and simple, it is easy to contemplate the intensity of the speakers situation. 8
- 9. Other Stylistic Devises Throughout the poem, a clear rhyming scheme is used. In the third to last stanza, a blank verse is used. Slant rhyme is also utilized in the poem. Kinesthetic imagery also helps the readers experience what happens when the speaker is close to committing suicide. Theme: The theme of this poem focuses on the importance of life and how important it is even though your current situation may lead you to believe that it isnt. This poem applies to real life in many ways. The speaker in this poem must have been unhappy with his/her life and tried committing suicide. We can also see that the poem was written by Langston Hughes, a black American writer in the 1930s. We can also infer that the person in the poem was of African American descent because Hughes often wrote about black Americans and the harsh times they had to live through at that time. However, the speaker in the poem realizes that he/she has a baby which symbolizes the will to live on despite your depression and oppression. Personal Reflection: I became familiar with Langston Hughes in the eleventh grade when my teacher introduced him to me during a poetry unit. I feel that I have connected to this poem because life isnt always easy and there are times when you feel like nothing will be ok. However you have to learn to realize that there are many special people in your life that are there for you and that will support you through anything. 9
- 10. Sounds of Silence Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk with you again Because a vision softly creeping Left its seeds while I was sleeping And the vision that was planted in my brain Still remains Within the sound of silence In restless dreams I walked alone Narrow streets of cobblestone 'Neath the halo of a street lamp I turn my collar to the cold and damp When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light That split the night And touched the sound of silence And in the naked light I saw Ten thousand people maybe more People talking without speaking People hearing without listening People writing songs that voices never shared No one dared Disturb the sound of silence "Fools," said I, "you do not know Silence like a cancer grows Hear my words that I might teach you Take my arms that I might reach you" But my words like silent raindrops fell And echoed in the wells of silence And the people bowed and prayed To the neon god they made And the sign flashed out its warning In the words that it was forming And the sign said "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls And tenement halls And whispered in the sound of silence 10
- 11. Critical Analysis Structure: In this poem, there are five stanzas in total. Every stanza contains the same rhyme scheme (AABBCCD) and seven lines except for the fourth stanza which has six lines and follows an AABBCD rhyme scheme. Every stanza ends with the word silence with a different description behind it to emphasize that the meaning of the poem is primarily affected by silence. Tone: The poem begins with a mild-mannered tone when the speaker says Hello darkness, my old friend/ Ive come to talk with you again. You can tell that the speaker has something to say however at this point he/she remains mild-mannered. Later, the tone of the speaker becomes frustrated as he says Fools you do not know. The speaker then develops a pleading tone when he tells them to Hear my words that I might teach you/ Take my arms that I might reach you however when his words like silent raindrops fell then he/she seems to lose all hope and end the poem with a silent disappointed tone. Imagery: There is a lot of imagery utilized in this poem both dark and bright. One can imagine that the person in the poem is somehow lost in a darkness where In restless dreams I walk alone on Narrow streets of cobblestone to emphasize the unpleasantness of the dream that he/she might be having. However the poem takes a sudden turn when the persons eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light/ that split the night to highlight how the darkness was instantly diminished by the light. Although this light has diminished the darkness, everybody remains mesmerized by the light and silence is hence forth continued despite the elimination of the dark restless dream. Other Stylistic Devices: Throughout the poem, repetition is utilized to describe this ongoing silence that cant seem to change itself into something better. At the beginning of each stanza, the 11
- 12. speaker explains what he/she says and sees to describe the situation. However at the end of each stanza, silence is once again repeated to show that the silence is inevitable. Similes are also used to emphasize the danger of silence when he/she says silence like a cancer grows to show how it spreads rapidly and that it is deadly like cancer. Theme: The theme of this poem focuses on the importance of communication as apposed to silence which can lead to unhappiness and darkness. This can also be applied to real life. The writer demonstrates this by showing a person who is experiencing a dream where there is nothing but darkness and silence and when a light finally comes, everyone becomes taken by the light and silence remains. Although the person in this poem tries to explain the danger of silence to everybody, nobody listens and silence remains undisturbed in the sound of silence. Personal Reflection Like many poems, this poem comes from a song that was popular in the 1960s. Ive always liked this song since I was young however I never stopped to think about its meaning and what it has to do with my personal experiences. I feel that I have a connection to this poem because I prefer communication and happiness over silence and darkness. Whenever there is a dark silence in my life, I feel somewhat worried and hope that this feeling of aloneness will go away. I believe that everyone gets this feeling at one point in their life and that it is important to stay away from this feeling by having friends and family to support you. 12