English 2 Comparison-Contrast Paired Poetry Assignment: Sections 1930 & 1944
A common theme in literature is the impact of the past on shaping characters in the present. For some, the past is something to embrace and to cherish; it is a link between today and yesterday. It lives on in names, traditions, parents, religion, social relations, and other traditions people cherish in the present. For others, however, the past is presented as a desire to break with the past; traditional values are shoved aside and new values are embraced. Can the past be transcended and totally erased from shaping characters' cultural identity?
Directions:
For this assignment, you will read Mary Oliver's poem, "The Uses of Sorrow" and Elizabeth Bishop's poem, "One Art, and write a three to four page comparison-contrast essay in which you compare how these poems create a common theme of how the impact of the past shapes the speaker's present identity. Remember that the person in the poem is the persona created by the poet and not necessarily the poet. According to Kirszner and Mandell, "When you write an explication (of a poem) you do a close reading of a work ...carefully analyzing ...its elements. For example, you might decide to analyze ...a poem's language, rhyme scheme, meter, or form" (52). The authors of your textbook explain that analyzing a poem is to show how a poet creates a theme through various tools and techniques. Refer to the handout "Understanding Poetry." For this assignment, you are comparing two poems and you will focus on three-to-four techniques or tools used to establish a common theme.
Audience and Point of View: Keep your audience in mind when you are writing: Don't begin the introduction with sentences that state the obvious or are too general. The point of view is third person. No first person ("I") or second ("you") or "we." Keep a consistent third person point of view throughout the essay.
Thesis Statement: The thesis statement needs to identify the two poems and the poets' names, and tell why they are alike: a common theme. The common theme of how the past shapes the characters in the present is broad, so you must narrow this: What is the common thread of the two poems that connect it to the broader theme? Have they lost something? What is the attitude or tone of both poems? Is there a common link? Refer to the sample thesis statement in Kirszner and Mandell, p.44.
Organizing the Essay: For this paper, you will follow and organize your elements or poetic techniques by the point-by-point. Refer to the graphic organizer on eCompanion on Doc sharing.
MLA Format/Works Cited: Your paper must be typed, 12font Times New Roman, double-spaced, 3-4 pages. For this paper, the only evidence will come from your interpretation (your own thinking and analysis) and from the two poems. No additional sources are required.
Helpful Handouts:
• "Understanding Poetry."
• Sample Essay: "A Memory of Dad"
• Point by Point Graphic: You will complete this and turn this in with your final draft. This is due on the day your draft is due.
• Readings in Kirszner & Mandell as assigned on the weekly schedule.
• Critical Thinking questions about the two poems to help explicate the poems. Answer the questions that apply to the two poems.
Evaluation of the Essay: The rubric is available on eCompanion. The total points for this essay 45. The point by point graphic is 2 points. Drafts and peer review are 2 points each.