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Slide 1
Notes on the Poetry Essay: A: Free Choice Tone B: Jocasta by
Ruth F. Eisenberg
Slide 2
THE BREAKDOWN 16 Prompt A: Free Choice from Summer Reading 6
upper half / 10 lower half Wide variety of topics and time periods
in poems explored: To Althea, From Prison, Hippopotamus, Bodys
Beauty, London, 1802, To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time
(popular, among males only), Po Boy Blues, Ozymanidas (also a dude
poem), To His Coy Mistress, Aunt Jennifers Tigers, Death Be Not
Proud, Mending Wall, The Tiger and the Lamb, Hysteria, Blackberry
Picking 11 Prompt B: Jocasta 7 upper half / 4 lower half
Slide 3
WHAT IS (MOSTLY) WORKING: Writing demonstrates thoughtful
understanding of poetry and depth of analysis Clearly identified
MOWAW (more than plot or theme) Improvement in identifying specific
literary devices AND their function Sophisticated vocabulary and
syntax Some well-crafted thesis statements! Appropriate text
support
Slide 4
A PRETTY PERFECT POSITION In his poem, To Althea, From Prison,
Richard Lovelace uses a controlling metaphor and a peaceful,
content tone despite being locked in prison, to examine the idea
that freedom rests in the mind, not in the body....With the use of
a controlling metaphor comparing himself to a caged bird that still
has the freedom to sing, as well as a tone of tranquility, Lovelace
conveys his attitude of disregard towards Parliament and
prison.
Slide 5
A PRETTY PERFECT POSITION In his poem, To Althea, From Prison,
Richard Lovelace uses a controlling metaphor and a peaceful,
content tone despite being locked in prison, to examine the idea
that freedom rests in the mind, not in the body....With the use of
a controlling metaphor comparing himself to a caged bird that still
has the freedom to sing, as well as a tone of tranquility, Lovelace
conveys his attitude of disregard towards Parliament and
prison.
Slide 6
A PRETTY PERFECT POSITION In his poem, To Althea, From Prison,
Richard Lovelace uses a controlling metaphor and a peaceful,
content tone despite being locked in prison, to examine the idea
that freedom rests in the mind, not in the body....With the use of
a controlling metaphor comparing himself to a caged bird that still
has the freedom to sing, as well as a tone of tranquility, Lovelace
conveys [an] attitude of disregard towards Parliament and
prison.
Slide 7
MAKE IT SOMARK IT UP! In his poem, To Althea, From Prison,
Richard Lovelace uses a controlling metaphor and a peaceful,
content tone despite being locked in prison, to examine the idea
that freedom rests in the mind, not in the body....With the use of
a controlling metaphor comparing himself to a caged bird that still
has the freedom to sing, as well as a tone of tranquility, Lovelace
conveys his attitude of disregard towards Parliament and
prison.
Slide 8
APPROPRIATE EVIDENCE, IF NOT ANALYSIS Within the poem,
Eisenberg employs metaphor and juxtaposition to highlight the
contrast between the highest high and the lowest low of Jocastas
life. Once Jocasta is married to Oedipus (unaware he is her son),
she spouts I am the poppies / bright little blooms with milk in
them, and I walk among the roses, feel / [Aphrodites] blush upon my
cheeks. Once she discovers he is not who she believes, her flesh
crawls with worms. These metaphors are put in place in order to
make her emotions less abstract, and therefore more relatable.
These changes in her feelings mark the change in tone and better
describe them so the audience could note the difference. By
juxtaposing the two very contrasting moods, Eisenberg places an
emphasis on the situation that Jocasta is suffering in.
Slide 9
APPROPRIATE EVIDENCE, IF NOT ANALYSIS Within the poem,
Eisenberg employs metaphor and juxtaposition to highlight the
contrast between the highest high and the lowest low of Jocastas
life. Once Jocasta is married to Oedipus (unaware he is her son),
she spouts I am the poppies / bright little blooms with milk in
them, and I walk among the roses, feel / [Aphrodites] blush upon my
cheeks. Once she discovers he is not who she believes, her flesh
crawls with worms. These metaphors are put in place in order to
make her emotions less abstract, and therefore more relatable.
These changes in her feelings mark the change in tone and better
describe them so the audience could note the difference. By
juxtaposing the two very contrasting moods, Eisenberg places an
emphasis on the situation that Jocasta is suffering in.
Slide 10
APPROPRIATE EVIDENCE, IF NOT ANALYSIS Within the poem,
Eisenberg employs metaphor and juxtaposition to highlight the
contrast between the highest high and the lowest low of Jocastas
life. Once Jocasta is married to Oedipus (unaware he is her son),
[Jocasta gushes] spouts I am the poppies / bright little blooms
with milk* in them, and I walk among the roses, feel /
[Aphrodites*] blush upon my cheeks. Once she discovers [Oedipus] is
not who she [at first believed], her flesh crawls with worms*.
These metaphors are put in place in order to make [Jocastas]
emotions less abstract, and therefore more relatable. These changes
in her feelings mark the change in tone and better describe them so
the audience could note the difference. By juxtaposing the two very
contrasting moods, Eisenberg places an emphasis on the situation
that Jocasta is suffering in. *Needs analysis!
Slide 11
MAKE IT SOMARK IT UP! Within the poem, Eisenberg employs
metaphor and juxtaposition to highlight the contrast between the
highest high and the lowest low of Jocastas life. Once Jocasta is
married to Oedipus (unaware he is her son), she spouts I am the
poppies / bright little blooms with milk in them, and I walk among
the roses, feel / [Aphrodites] blush upon my cheeks. Once she
discovers he is not who she believes, her flesh crawls with worms.
These metaphors are put in place in order to make her emotions less
abstract, and therefore more relatable. These changes in her
feelings mark the change in tone and better describe them so the
audience could note the difference. By juxtaposing the two very
contrasting moods, Eisenberg places an emphasis on the situation
that Jocasta is suffering in.
Slide 12
WHAT NEEDS WORK: Still struggling to identify the MOWAW
Discussing specific literary devices AND their function (in other
words, HOW they illuminate MOWAW) Attempting to do too much:
multiple themes, meanings and messages and/or device-o-rama History
lessons, cheerleading, plot and platitudes Writing to fill
space
Slide 13
HOW DOES FUNCTION DETERMINE FORM? Eisenbergs use of a both
foreboding and somber tone along with foreshadowing illustrates the
plight of a woman who lacks agency in her life and pays the
consequences. When looked at from a broader scope, Eisenbergs poem
serves as a cautionary tale towards women and the dangers of
passiveness. The author uses metaphor and internal monologue to
recreate Jocastas perspective....Eisenberg critically analyzes
Oedipus Rex to elaborate on Jocastas side of the story. By
employing a shift in tone from passionate to distraught, Eisenberg
shows Jocastas powerlessness in society.
Slide 14
AVOID TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH In her poem Jocasta, Ruth F.
Eisenberg re-imagines Oedipus through a contemporary feminist lens
with success, due to her employment of a variety of different
literary devices, such as imagery, perspective, and tone, which
throughout the poem ranges from dark and hollow to peaceful and
light-hearted. Eisenberg makes these devices function with her use
of structure and diction, and, along with the contemporary feminist
lens she gives the poem, accomplishes her purpose to make a
statement advocating womens rights and to also give women a voice
in literature.
Slide 15
AVOID TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH In her poem Jocasta, Ruth F.
Eisenberg re-imagines Oedipus through a contemporary feminist lens
with success, due to her employment of a variety of different
literary devices, such as imagery, perspective, and tone, which
throughout the poem ranges from dark and hollow to peaceful and
light-hearted. Eisenberg makes these devices function with her use
of structure and diction, and, along with the contemporary feminist
lens she gives the poem, accomplishes her purpose to make a
statement advocating womens rights and to also give women a voice
in literature.
Slide 16
AVOID TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH The poem seeks not only to mock the
lack of domination this ruler has, but also to criticize all
dictators and tyrants who naively believe in the immortality of
their legacy and reign. To achieve these purposes and goals,
Shelley uses a majestic tone in order to mock Ozymandias, and
utilizes a myriad of literary devices such as allusions,
personification, and irony to illustrate that all great rulers, no
matter how invincible they might seem, are mortal beings, and will
fall.
Slide 17
AVOID TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH The poem seeks not only to mock the
lack of domination this ruler has, but also to criticize all
dictators and tyrants who naively believe in the immortality of
their legacy and reign. To achieve these purposes and goals,
Shelley uses a majestic tone in order to mock Ozymandias, and
utilizes a myriad of literary devices such as allusions,
personification, and irony to illustrate that all great rulers, no
matter how invincible they might seem, are mortal beings, and will
fall.
Slide 18
AVOID TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH By crafting a proud and hollow
image of Death, John Donne executes a dramatic anti-thesis to the
ominous figure of eternal rest; in Death be Not Proud as a result,
he is able to utilize an assortment of literary devices including,
but not limited to, imagery, personification, and rhytmic patterns.
Despite this mockery of Death, Donne expertly plays on the readers
fear of Death, not by empowering their fear, but by supressing it,
he further instills the confidence required to live life to its
fullest extent.
Slide 19
AVOID TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH By crafting a proud and hollow
image of Death, John Donne executes a dramatic anti-thesis to the
ominous figure of eternal rest; in Death be Not Proud as a result,
he is able to utilize an assortment of literary devices including,
but not limited to, imagery, personification, and rhytmic patterns.
Despite this mockery of Death, Donne expertly plays on the readers
fear of Death, not by empowering their fear, but by suppressing it,
he further instills the confidence required to live life to its
fullest extent.
Slide 20
YOU, THE EXPERT? When standing at the face of tradition, we
have all been able to defend our reasons for our beliefs. When it
comes to love, many would argue that it should be had during youth,
in order to fully take advantage of youthful characteristics that
can make love more enjoyable. Eisenbergs Jocasta beautifully
manipulates the imagery, metaphor, and repetition of words in such
a way that it reimagines the human condition of woman. The 1970s
was a time in which women were just beginning to collect
rightsfeminists fought for equal treatment. A new demnd for more
literature with female leads.
Slide 21
AND PLOTTING ON In Aunt Jennifers Tigers, author Adrienne Rich
takes on the perspective of a niece or nephew who acts as a
sympathetic fly on the wall of a timid and unhappy woman only known
to the audience as Aunt Jennifer. In her poem Jocasta, Ruth
Eisenberg recounts the life and tribulations of Oedipus wife.
Slide 22
AND ON AND ON AND ON In the poem Hysteria, TS Eliot quite
accurately describes the subject, a hostess of a tea party, by so
revealing her current and true state of melancholic emotion By the
use of describing her actions through a desperate and despairing
lens, Eliot highlights the mask which this woman hids and buries
herself under. Also, by writing in a free verse and blunt style
using no meter of any kind the reader is forced to see that nothing
is what it seems, for a woman that smiles, she may not be joyful
but instead use it as a means of camoflage, to cover another darker
disposition entirely.
Slide 23
AND ON AND ON AND ON The epic tale of Oedipus is given a new
perspective in the modern and pro-feminist poem, Jocasta. Ruth
Eisenberg utilizes a highly personal point of view as Jocasta tells
her story both candidly and emotionally. Throughthe use of
sensitory extended metaphor and foreshadowing blinded by love,
Jocasta gives light to paralleling allusions and adds dimmension to
Oedipus Rex. With its feminist angle of the story, Jocasta reshapes
the views of fate and free-will discussed in its precursor.
Slide 24
FINALLY, OWN IT WITH A TITLE __________________________ Poetry
Poem Seize the Day
Slide 25
FINALLY, OWN IT WITH A TITLE Seize the Day: The Urgency of Love
and Youth in Robert Herricks To The Virgins, To Make Much of
Time