The three poems are all written from different points of view, poem 1 is written from a third person omniscient perspective, poem 2 is written from a first person perspective, where the thoughts are directed inward, and poem 3 is written from a first person perspective where the thought are directed outward.
Poem 1 focuses on a Shakespearian view of nature, and personification is used to make winter come alive. The mood in poem one is much lighter than the other two poems. Words like elfish, fret, and smiled emphasize the mood. Imagery is used extensively to depict nature and the changes in nature. The rhyme scheme is consistent and the poem is lengthy. Winter is described as spreading “With icy sheet and gleaming coverlet” this is an example of the copious imagery and personification in the poem.
Poem 2 is in blank verse, with no rhyme scheme, this is in direct contrast to poems one and three which have strict and complex rhyme schemes, leading one to believe they are by three separate poets. The verbs used in the poem such as grinds, dulled, and carved emphasize the melancholic mood of the poem, as they are connected to the deepening of pain in the narrators mind. This poem is about the pain of loss, and the deepening of bitterness connected with loss. It is completely unlike poem 1 in almost all aspects. It is a very brief poem, however the mood and imagery are very striking and severe. The repetition of “Through a year of days” and “But at night” throughout the poem give it the structure it needs due to the absence of rhyme scheme.
Poem 3 is largely in iambic tetrameter with iambic dimeter at the end of every stanza. The mood of poem 3 is similar to poem 2, but not so severe, and with some hopeful moments, especially at the conclusion. This poem has a great balance of emotions, dealing with the positive and negative aspects of desire. Personification of nature is also present “The Autumn sleeps beside his fire” is a good example. This poem is almost a link between poems 1 and 2, but is not similar enough to either for me to conclude all three are by the same poet.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Prose Analysis of “The Spider and the Wasp” by Alexander Petrunkevitch
“The Spider and the Wasp” is an excellent example of prose. Alexander Petrunkevitch has created a work that entertains as well as educates. The way in which Petrunkevitch develops the prose is particularly notable. In the introduction the writer introduces the central idea of the essay rather abruptly. Usually this is ineffective however in the case of “The Spider and the Wasp” this abrupt introduction serves to grab the readers attention.
Due to the scientific nature of this essay the statement of the conclusion at the start of the essay is acceptable and effective. Petrunkevitch then uses verbal contrast effectively stating that: “It is a classic example of what looks like intelligence pitted against instinct – a strange situation in which the victim, though fully able to defend itself, submits unwittingly to its destruction.” The contrast between “a classic example” and “a strange situation” effectively alludes to the paradox’s and contradictions in the relationship between the spider and the wasp.
The essay is developed in a straightforward manner, describing the spider and the wasp respectively in great detail to provide the background knowledge necessary to fully appreciate the bulk of the essay. The descriptions are very vivid, thorough, and scientific, and are backed up by examples to prove their validity. The examples, such as “In a Paris museum is a tropical specimen which is said to have been living in captivity for 25 years” are good because they not only prove the claims, but also are fascinating and keep the readers attention and interest. Once the two creatures are described, the narrator shifts the method of development to a process analysis of how the wasp actually kills the spider. This shift in development hooks the reader once again. The effective, vivid, and often gruesome descriptions of this process keep the reader interested.
The conclusion is well developed and answers all the questions raised in the introduction. The conclusion is extensive and not rushed, in fact instead of “the conclusion” it should be called “the summary of conclusions”.
Due to the scientific nature of this essay the statement of the conclusion at the start of the essay is acceptable and effective. Petrunkevitch then uses verbal contrast effectively stating that: “It is a classic example of what looks like intelligence pitted against instinct – a strange situation in which the victim, though fully able to defend itself, submits unwittingly to its destruction.” The contrast between “a classic example” and “a strange situation” effectively alludes to the paradox’s and contradictions in the relationship between the spider and the wasp.
The essay is developed in a straightforward manner, describing the spider and the wasp respectively in great detail to provide the background knowledge necessary to fully appreciate the bulk of the essay. The descriptions are very vivid, thorough, and scientific, and are backed up by examples to prove their validity. The examples, such as “In a Paris museum is a tropical specimen which is said to have been living in captivity for 25 years” are good because they not only prove the claims, but also are fascinating and keep the readers attention and interest. Once the two creatures are described, the narrator shifts the method of development to a process analysis of how the wasp actually kills the spider. This shift in development hooks the reader once again. The effective, vivid, and often gruesome descriptions of this process keep the reader interested.
The conclusion is well developed and answers all the questions raised in the introduction. The conclusion is extensive and not rushed, in fact instead of “the conclusion” it should be called “the summary of conclusions”.
Prose Analysis: Good and Bad Writing.
Bad Writing
Sample One (The Individual): This sample is ineffective because it overuses rhetorical questions. Some of these rhetorical questions are so long and complex they are no longer effective as rhetoric and just alienate, confuse, or bore the reader. The paragraph seeks to explain ethical relativism, yet introduces the concept abruptly, without proper introduction. The paragraph lacks a sense of balance and introduced concepts aren’t fully explained.
Sample Two (This Change): This paragraph is overcomplicated. Rather than sounding professional or sophisticated, the paragraph comes off as cold, corporate, and unintelligible.
Sample Three (Science): The question this paragraph seeks to answer is not phrased well. With such a poor starting point, this paragraph cannot be developed effectively.
Good Writing
Sample One (Fish): This sample makes effective use of imagery and description. The paragraph is well developed in a chronological manner that is pleasing to read. The subject of this paragraph, the capelin fish, is described in such detail that extensive research and background information is evident. However in the description of the fish, the narrator is not overly-complex or technical, instead choosing to make a work of prose that is both enjoyable and informative.
Sample Two (Colours): Despite using the American spelling of coulour, this piece of prose is very effective. The paragraph is well developed from the beginning, sparking the interest of the reader with a fantastic quotation from another writer. The thesis is then proposed, being drawn from ideas in the introduction. The thesis is then proven using scientific explanation. This style is used very frequently, but rarely to the effect this writer has demonstrated.
Sample Three (Machine): This is the first piece of prose that we have encountered so far that makes use of many rhetorical questions and is still very effective. The questions are simply worded and relate to each other so the reader does not become confused or frustrated. Furthermore, these questions are interspersed between some very impressive prose, which makes the reading all the more enjoyable.
Sample One (The Individual): This sample is ineffective because it overuses rhetorical questions. Some of these rhetorical questions are so long and complex they are no longer effective as rhetoric and just alienate, confuse, or bore the reader. The paragraph seeks to explain ethical relativism, yet introduces the concept abruptly, without proper introduction. The paragraph lacks a sense of balance and introduced concepts aren’t fully explained.
Sample Two (This Change): This paragraph is overcomplicated. Rather than sounding professional or sophisticated, the paragraph comes off as cold, corporate, and unintelligible.
Sample Three (Science): The question this paragraph seeks to answer is not phrased well. With such a poor starting point, this paragraph cannot be developed effectively.
Good Writing
Sample One (Fish): This sample makes effective use of imagery and description. The paragraph is well developed in a chronological manner that is pleasing to read. The subject of this paragraph, the capelin fish, is described in such detail that extensive research and background information is evident. However in the description of the fish, the narrator is not overly-complex or technical, instead choosing to make a work of prose that is both enjoyable and informative.
Sample Two (Colours): Despite using the American spelling of coulour, this piece of prose is very effective. The paragraph is well developed from the beginning, sparking the interest of the reader with a fantastic quotation from another writer. The thesis is then proposed, being drawn from ideas in the introduction. The thesis is then proven using scientific explanation. This style is used very frequently, but rarely to the effect this writer has demonstrated.
Sample Three (Machine): This is the first piece of prose that we have encountered so far that makes use of many rhetorical questions and is still very effective. The questions are simply worded and relate to each other so the reader does not become confused or frustrated. Furthermore, these questions are interspersed between some very impressive prose, which makes the reading all the more enjoyable.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)