Poetry test

Poetry Unit Test

Respond to the following prompts in completely developed, thoughtful sentences. As usual, rely primarily on the present tense, use active verbs, and avoid the common errors discussed so often in this class. You must write on your own paper. Do not skip lines.

A Song in the Front Yard

            Discuss the poet’s use of symbol in this poem.

My Papa’s Waltz

            Discuss how the poet’s connotatively rich diction ironically juxtaposes with events of the poem.

War is Kind

            Discuss how the poet develops irony to condemn glorification of war.

I wandered lonely as a cloud

            Discuss how this poem presents classically Romantic ideals.

Miniver Cheevy and Richard Cory

            Contrast the concept of alienation as developed in these two Robinson poems.

Meeting at Night

            Discuss the poet’s use of imagery to develop clandestine tension in this poem.

That time of year thou may’st in me behold

            Describe three metaphors Shakespeare uses to clarify the speaker’s age.

The Double Play

            To what two non-athletic concepts does the poet compare a double play?

The Battle

            Describe how the poet uses figurative language to de-humanize the soldiers.

A Poison Tree

            What does Blake suggest about anger in this poem?

           

The Road Not Taken

            Why is this poem a nearly perfect poem for high school seniors to read?

Because I could not stop for Death

            Discuss the concept of death as developed in this poem.

The Man He Killed

            Describe the speaker in this poem. How does his social status strengthen the message of this poem?

The Universe

            What does Swenson say about human beings and our concept of the universe?

The Red Wheelbarrow

            Provide your reader with a grotesquely incorrect over-read of William Carlos Williams’ small poem.

When I heard the learn’d astronomer

            How is this poem a classically Romantic poem? Discuss.

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love and The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd

            How does Raleigh’s speaker reply to Marlowe’s speaker and his offer?

The Chimney Sweeper

            Pathos has been defined as, “an emotion of sympathetic pity.” How does Blake develop pathos through Little Tom Dacre’s dream?

           

Dream Deferred

            Describe three of Hughes’ similes.

Extra Credit: Describe the most memorable moment from either the film “Darius Goes West” or the presentation itself. If you only were able to purchase a ticket rather than actually attend, simply write “Purchased Ticket” here.