Question

Now it is time to write about some of the poems you’ve read and studied! So far in this unit, you have examined the following works: "The Rainy Day," "Invictus," "We Real Cool," "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," and "The Mending Wall." Select two of these works and, in a well-developed response of at least two paragraphs, compare and contrast them. Your response must address the following in each poem:

a.at least one element, such as conflict, characterization, or setting
b.literary point of view
c.at least one literary technique, such as flashback, foreshadowing, dialogue, or word choice
d.Poetic structure
e.Remember to write in complete, grammatically correct sentences and to avoid errors in usage, mechanics, and spelling.
need help pls its over due send answer paragraph pls

Answer 1

When comparing 'The Rainy Day' and 'Invictus', we see a contrast between the setting of life's hardships versus a direct confrontation with fate. Both utilize a first-person perspective, but with different tones, and their poetic structures reflect the themes of persistence and resolve, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

When comparing and contrasting two poems from the list provided, one could consider 'The Rainy Day' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and 'Invictus' by William Ernest Henley.

Starting with elements such as conflict and setting, 'The Rainy Day' sets its tone in the backdrop of a gloomy, persistent rain that serves as a metaphor for life's challenges and sorrows, highlighting an internal conflict of despair versus hope.

In contrast, 'Invictus' presents a more direct conflict between an individual and the cruel circumstances of fate, with the setting being metaphorically dark and unconquerable in its challenges.

Regarding literary point of view, 'The Rainy Day' utilizes a first-person perspective that creates an intimate and personal relationship with the reader. The poem employs a reflective and melancholic tone as the speaker ruminates over the symbolic 'rain' of life's hardships. 'Invictus' also adopts a first-person point of view but exudes a defiant tone that showcases the speaker's unyielding spirit despite adversities.

Both poems utilize word choice to convey their themes effectively; 'The Rainy Day' with its somber diction contrasts against 'Invictus' with its powerful and motivational vocabulary.

As for poetic structure, 'The Rainy Day' follows a traditional rhyming scheme that echoes the steady and inevitable nature of the rain and life's challenges, while 'Invictus' is written in a quatrain structure with an ABAB rhyme scheme that emphasizes the speaker's resolve.

In 'The Rainy Day,' the use of meter and rhythm reflects the persistent drizzle, whereas in 'Invictus,' it reinforces the speaker's determination. Reviewing these elements provides insights into the poems' deeper meanings and the poets' artistic choices.