Lauren Ballington. Introduction

Transcription

1 Introduction The three poems that I have chosen are The Road Not Taken and Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening, both by Robert Frost, and Dive For Dreams by E.E. Cummings. The Road Not Taken is all about choosing which road to follow and deciding that you should take the one that doesn t get traveled often it s about taking risks and taking the time to enjoy life. Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening is all about taking a journey and taking the time to really take in all the joys of nature. The theme of both of these poems would be to take the time to enjoy your life and to slow down and take in all the joys and wonders that the world has to offer.

2 Dramatistic Analysis: The Road Not Taken 1. The speaker in this poem is a man who is traveling through the woods and he s alone. He comes to a crossroads when he runs into two paths and has to decide which one to take. The point of view would be first person point of view. The speaker is very stable. He has a good grasp on reality and knows exactly what to do to make his self happy. He seems like a very kind-hearted, brave person who doesn t mind taking risks and chances. 2. The person is possibly speaking to the woods or to someone he knows after his journey happened. It isn t clear just who he s speaking to but he s telling his story as if he wants to get the message across to someone, or possibly several someone s. He seems extremely comfortable with them and wants them to feel the same way about taking chances and feels very strongly about taking the less traveled path. 3. He is talking about traveling through the woods and coming to two paths. The one path is one that no one really goes through because it s grown up and the other one which seemed safer and clearer. He is traveling by himself so he can only take one path to see where it leads, but I think deep down, he is a little nervous to travel it. He said I doubted if I should ever come back. I think he wasn t sure where it would lead him but in the end, it turned out to be the best thing he could have ever done. I do think the title reveals the content to an extent because he only took one road, and he could have perhaps taken both roads, but he chose the one which would take him on an adventure, and the other one not taken could have been too safe and boring for him. 4. The moment is taking place in a yellow wood which is full of undergrowth and fallen leaves. It is beautiful outside and possibly chilly out since the leaves have fallen. It affects his attitude because it makes him curious and ready for anything. 5. The person speaking is telling this story in the past. He is remembering what happened and telling his story after it happened. 6. The speaker is telling this story as though he wanted to teach a lesson. His language flows as though it were happening all over again, or he was right there watching it happen again. The fulcrum is on the line, Oh, I kept the first for another Day!. The mood of this poem is very solemn, but also light and open to interpretation. I felt he was happy, but very serious about what he was saying. 7. The person is speaking because they want to tell why it s important to take risks in life. He took the road that he had no idea where it would lead, and it turned out to be the best thing that happened to him. He wanted to get the message across that life is unpredictable and you have to take risks to get anywhere.

3 Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening: 1. The person speaking is traveling with his horse on a snowy evening through the woods. He is probably wearing a heavy coat and mittens and a scarf because he is traveling in the snow and would be cold. The point of view is first person and he seems to be humble and light-hearted because he takes his time to view the woods and see the world. He doesn t seem to have a care in the world. 2. The person is speaking to the woods. He seems to be talking to them as though he were expecting an answer, or perhaps they are keeping him company. He speaks with such grace and humor in his voice that as though he is truly enjoying his journey. 3. The person is speaking about stopping to enjoy the snow and the woods that he is traveling in. He talks about how lovely the woods are and how dark and deep they are, and he says this in a curious happy matter. The title does give the content away because he is stopping through the woods on a snowy evening and he enjoys the little things about the woods. 4. The moment is taking place in the woods on a snowy evening. The scene affects the imagery because it puts a snowy wood in your head every time you hear it. 5. The person speaking is telling the story in the present. He isn t going on about when it happened, he is describing his journey right now. 6. The person is telling the story as if to entertain himself. He is after all traveling alone with just his horse, so he wants to describe everything that happens to him. The fulcrum of the piece is on line, The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,. The use of figurative language affects the mood of the piece because it gives life and meaning to the things in the poem that he only sees. 7. The person is speaking to keep himself entertained. He also wants to get everyone to realize that you should stop to enjoy life and take it all in while you can, because you won t always be around, and life has ways of surprising you. Dive for Dreams: 1. The person speaking in this poem is E.E. Cummings. He is very descriptive about life and chasing your dreams. This poem is in third person. He seems to be very whimsical but full of life and has the best intentions.

4 2. E.E. Cummings is speaking to everyone in this poem. He is very friendly and warm, but he wants everyone to not be afraid of chasing dreams because there are obstacles, but you have to overcome those obstacles. 3. Cummings is speaking about going after what you want and even though things may or may have gotten in your way, you should honor those things but not let them slow you down. He wants you to embrace everything you ve got and give in to your dreams. The title only gives away the content a little bit because yes you should dive for your dreams, but it isn t just about diving for what you want, it s about digging for them and climbing till you get there. 4. He could be telling this around a campfire. It doesn t specify where the poem takes place, but it could definitely be anywhere in the world. It talks about the sea and fire and the trees, so he could be the woods. The location affects the imagery because you can make the scene take place anywhere you wanted it to. 5. The person speaking is telling the story in the present. He is describing the world to everyone and not like he s telling a story from his past. 6. Cummings is telling the story in a crazy, song like sort of way. He doesn t use many words he just describes things that make sense. The figurative language affects the mood because it makes things that would be deep and serious into fun and humorous things. The fulcrum is on line, never mind a world with its villains or heroes. 7. The person is speaking because he wants to express to the world how not to give up on your dreams and that sometimes you have to chase them through fire and wind to get what you want. He wishes to achieve happiness from everyone and for everyone to really feel accomplished and proud in the end.

5 Modal Analysis: Lyric Script Analysis Focus Perform FL Shifts Semi- calm Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, imagery/c and sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler, long I stood and looked down one as far as I could to where it bent in the undergrowth. Semi- matter Then took the other, as just as fair, C of fact and having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; though as for that the passing there had worn them really about the same, Semi- curious and both that morning equally lay symbol/c In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. Semi- sigh I shall be telling this with a sigh C Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, and that

6 Has made all the difference. Semi- happy Whose woods these are I think imagery/l I know. His house is in the village though; he will not see me stopping here to watch his woods fill up with snow. Semi- humor My little horse must think it queer personific/l To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. Semi- shake He gives his harness bells a shake personific/l head to ask if there is some mistake. imagery The only other sound s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. Semi- solemn The woods are lovely, dark, and imagery/l Deep, but I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, repetition/l And miles to go before I sleep. Semi- solemn Dive for dreams, or a slogan may personific/r topple you. Trees are their roots imagery And wind is wind. Semi- solemn trust your heart if the seas Imagery/R catch fire, and live by love Though the stars walk personification Backwards

7 Semi- happy honor the past, but welcome the R future and dance your death away At this wedding. Semi- firm Never mind a world with its personify/r villains or heroes, for God likes Girls and tomorrow and the earth.