AP Literature Poems

Mirror by Sylvia Path

To best represent the life of the mirror, the entire poem is written from the view point of the mirror itself. The figurative language used by the mirror enhances the narration and provides a more complex view of the mirror' surrounding and life. For example, "In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman/ Rises toward her day after day, like a terrible fish." This comparison of youth and aging,  provide insight on what the mirror is thinking and what the mirror sees as the time passes by. The personification of the mirror creates a relatable yet ominous connection to the mirror.
The mirror observes and sees the objects and people all around it. "Whatever I see I swallow immediately/ Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike./ I am not cruel, only truthful./ The eye of a little god, four-cornered." Humans are like the mirror, however, has a menacing feature, it has no emotions. 

Terrance this is stupid stuff 

In the first stanza, the narrator expresses a negative connotation to life. He expresses his frustrations and lack of hope with life. He represents his melancholy and depressed theme. He then goes on to argue that even though alcohol provides a happy escape from the world, this newly constructed reality is false and short-lived. In the third stanza, he justifies this claim by proclaiming that, "Therefore, since the world has still Much good, but much less good than ill, And while the sun and moon endure Luck's a chance, but trouble's sure, I'd face it as a wise man would, And train for ill and not for good." By preparing for the "ill", people can confront the terrible that will eventually find them. The final gives an example of how preparing for the worst brings the best. A King would introduce his body to dangerous toxins and eventually his body adapted and resisted the toxin. 


Metaphors

Sylvia Plath wrote as a wife and a mother at a time when what it meant to be those things was rapidly changing. Plath wrote this poem about a year before she gave birth, but while she writes about her own personal experience, she also draws from universal experiences of being a woman in any age. The speaker of the poem has her own take on pregnancy, but came off as bitter. She calls herself a riddle, an elephant, a melon, a fat purse, among other things that portray her indifference towards pregnancy and she comes across as unhappy about being an expectant mother.

Themes and Symbols from "Persuasion"

Themes

1. Persuasion.

The novel contemplates whether or not persuasion is a positive or a negative force. While Anne believes that strong character and an independent mind are good qualities, she is also receptive to a sense of obligation and duty. She concludes that it was right for her to allow herself to be persuaded because "a strong sense of duty is no bad part of a woman's portion." 

2. Silly Parents.

Silly parents are a prevalent role in Persuasion. Due to Sir Walter's immaturity and imprudence, the Elliots are forced to leave their homes and reside in Bath. Sir Walter is not a source of guidance for his daughters; he is so self-involved that he is unable to make good decisions for the family. His 'silliness' has influenced his daughters, Elizabeth and Mary to act the same way. Elizabeth shares his self-importance, while Mary is so full of self-pity and is offended very easily. Anne is the only daughter who has the good sense and strength of character. 

3. The Idea of Gentleman.

This novel represents two very distinct versions of English gentleman. On one hand is Sir Walter, the traditional, land-owning, titled man who avoids work and seeks comfort. On the other hand is Captain Wentworth and Admiral Croft. Both men are naval officers who have made their own fortune. However, they do not fall on the same high social rank as Sir Walter. During this period, the definition of 'gentleman' was becoming more flexible and changing. 

Symbol

1. Kellynch Hall.

Kellynch Hall is more than just a really big house: it's the grandest house in the area, because it belongs to the highest-ranked family in the area, the Elliots. The house represents power and is a from of moral power for everyone else. The Elliots are suppose to live up to this standard. There is no room for failure.

"Persuasion" by Jane Austen

As a young woman, I seek primary role models in my life. Jane Austen is one of those role models. She once stated that "If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad." Jane Austen was an author of numerous novels that invoke naturalism. She stood out amongst the public because she did not follow social norms. Her writing has inspired me to seek my own adventures and read literature. Earlier this month, I began to read Persuasion. This is the last novel Austen fully completed. It also considered to be the most romantic of Jane Austen's works.

Persuasion opens with a brief history of the Elliot family as recorded in Sir Walter Elliot's favorite book, The Baronetcy. The Elliot's are a respected, titled, landowning family. Lady Elliot, Sir Walter's wife died 14 years ago and abandoned him with 3 daughters: Elizabeth, Anne, and Mary. Mary is married to a wealthy man, and Elizabeth and Anne are single. Austen's Persuasion, depicts a young woman's struggle with love, friendship and family. Anne Elliot, who is beautiful and kind, had been previously engaged to Frederick Wentworth. Wentworth is a young naval officer. Anne had been persuaded by Lady Russel to end the engagement, because of his financial state and misunderstandings. In the novel, men and woman are represented as moral equals. Overall, throughout the split, Anne was miserable and tried to get him back.

Themes in The Importance of Being Earnest

1. Sincerity vs Hypocrisy.

This is one of the most prevalent themes that runs throughout the play. Many scenes reflect this theme, such as when Gwendolen and Cecily had a catfight over their soon-to-be husbands, but disguise it with behind polite tea conversation. Another example is when Lady Bracknell interrogates Jack about Cecily with the aim of judging her suitability as a wife.

2. Double Life (aka Bunbury).

All the main characters lead a double life. Jack invented an imaginary brother named Ernest who allowed him to do all sorts of things in the town. Algernon invented an imaginary friend named Bunbury who enables him to escape his responsibilities and go to the country. Gwendolen is fixated on marrying someone named Ernest that by the time Jack proposes, she has already constructed a romance in her mind.

3. Marriage.

There are several exchanges in the play about marriage. In the beginning, Algernon and Lane are discussing marriage and whether or not it's desirable. For Cecily, marriage is way to fulfill her fantasy romance and continue her and Ernest's story. For Lady Bracknell, marriage is based on financial stability and social respectability.

4. Earnest or Ernest?

In the Importance of being Earnest, Wilde twists and plays with the Victorian character. Earnestness implies serious and boring, reflecting the Victorian character. For Wilde, the word earnest is comprised of two things: false truth and false morality. The moralism of Victorian society impels Algernon and Jack to invent imaginary people in order to escape responsibilities.

The Importance of Being Earnest

In class, we have been reading Oscar Wilde's play, "The Importance of Being Earnest". In the play, Jack Worthing, the play's protagonist, is the guardian to Cecily Cardew. He was found adopted when he was a baby. In the town of Hertfordshire, Jack is a major landowner. He has also pretended to have a brother named Ernest, who allows him to disappear for days at a time and do as he likes. Ernest is the name Jack goes by in London. Algernon, Jack's close friend, has also created his own version of Ernest, named Bunbury. Oscar Wilde uses comedy, witty conversations, and satire, to reveal the shallowness and deceitfulness of these characters. His writing style provides insight into how Wilde perceives the privileged upper class. The most ironic part of the play is the title. "Earnest" means honest and truthful, however, no one in the play is either one of those things. Everyone is either superficial or full of deceit. Wilde also satirized the fact that men had power over women during that time, when in reality, women were doing all the sacrificing.

Part of the success of the play comes from Wilde's incorporations of epigrams. Epigrams are sayings or remarks that express an idea in a clever and amusing way. A few examples in the play are, "Divorces are made in heaven" and "It's only the intellectual lost who ever argue." With marriage, Wilde was making the point that divorces are a way to attain happiness than marriage.