Poetry and Its Forms
This Shakespeare poem defies traditional love poetry by mocking idealized metaphors such as “eyes like the sun” and “roses in cheeks.”
What is “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun”?
Sylvia Plath
In this play by August Wilson, Troy Maxson’s inability to let go of past injustices creates conflict within his family.
Fences
This is the word we use to distinguish between the author of a poem and the voice we see on the page.
Speaker
In “A Rose for Emily,” Faulkner’s use of this creates this unique perspective, as the townsfolk narrate the story of Miss Emily.
This poem by Percy Shelley is an ode, a lyric form that celebrates and addresses its subject, in this case a powerful natural force.
“Ode to the West Wind”
William Carlos Williams
The Chorus in this Greek tragedy reflects on the dangers of pride and fate as Oedipus’s tragic flaw leads to his downfall.
Oedipus the King
This is a poetic "section"; usually includes more than one line.
Stanza
This story features a protagonist, Connie, who encounters a sinister figure named Arnold Friend in an allegorical exploration of innocence and danger.
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates
In “The Sun Rising,” John Donne speaks directly to the titular celestial body as an intrusive presence in his love affair, giving it human qualities through this poetic element.
Personification
"Cream of Wheat"
Lucille Clifton
In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the entire play takes place in this kind of setting, emphasizing the exploitation of Black artists in the early 20th century.
The recording studio
The tongue-twister "How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood" includes an example of this, a repeated sound at the beginning of words.
Alliteration
In a famously upsetting story, Shirley Jackson uses the setting of a small, idyllic village to contrast with the shocking violence of this event.
The ritual of the lottery itself (the sacrificial stoning).
Philip Larkin’s ______ reflects this poetic form, traditionally addressing the melancholy of early morning (usually when lovers must depart). Larkin's is about death.
Aubade
"Ode to the West Wind"
Percy Shelley
Sophocles’ Antigone is an example of this genre of drama, marked by themes of fate, conflict, and moral dilemmas.
Tragedy
This might occur when a character is struck with a sudden realization; sometimes it signals a profound change of heart.
Epiphany
In The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien juxtaposes the physical burdens of war with this literary element to explore the emotional and psychological toll.
Symbolism
These types of poems have 14 lines, and they generally have an English form (popularized by Shakespeare) or an Italian form (popularized by Petrarch).
The Sonnet.
"Nebraska"
Bruce Springsteen
In Greek tragedy, this is another word for pride -- a pride that flies in the face of fate and the gods.
Hubris
The origin of Western theater can be traced back to these:
Festivals to the god Dionysius
Greek Theater Festivals
Festivals of Bacchus
In "Cathedral," by Raymond Carver, the drawing of the cathedral symbolizes broader themes of enlightenment and human connection, resulting in this experience for the narrator:
An epiphany.
Choose one poem, one story, and one play. For each, choose at least one literary keyword or term that you could apply to an analysis of that text and BRIEFLY explain the connection.
Answers will vary.