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In the Chanukah lights tonight how does the speaker use of contrasting settings develop the poems theme

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The speaker uses contrasting settings that develops the poems theme, such as, time contrast, cultural contrast, historical contrast and emotional contrast.

The use of contrasting settings in a poem about Chanukah could develop the theme in several ways:

1. Time Contrast: The celebration of Chanukah stretches over eight days and nights, which itself is a contrast between light and darkness. A poem might juxtapose the warmth and brightness of the menorah's candles against the winter's cold and dark to symbolize perseverance and faith.

2. Cultural Contrast: If the poem contrasts the Chanukah celebration with the surroundings that might not be observing Chanukah, it can highlight the uniqueness and continuity of Jewish traditions.

3. Historical Contrast: The speaker may contrast the ancient origins of Chanukah with its modern celebration to show the enduring nature of its messages of hope, freedom, and miracle.

4. Emotional Contrast: There might be a contrast between the joyous celebration of the holiday and any personal or communal challenges faced by the speaker or others, highlighting the solace and strength found in tradition.

In poetry, these contrasts serve to deepen the reader's understanding of the theme by showcasing how the holiday's rituals and symbols provide meaning and continuity against the backdrop of change or adversity. The poem's theme likely emerges more vividly through these juxtapositions, as they allow the reader to feel the tension and resolution that the contrasts imply.

User Peter Gibson
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Final answer:

The use of contrasting settings in the poem emphasizes the subjective nature of beauty and the shared human ability to find it in potentially harmful places. Detailed settings add complexity to the poem, and light serves as a significant symbol that connects and intensifies the themes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The speaker in the poem uses contrasting settings to develop the theme.

For example, in the first stanza, the ribbons appear beautiful to the speaker even though they are pollution. This suggests that beauty is subjective and can be found even in something harmful. In the second stanza, the flames are described as "gorgeous" to the believers even though they are destructive, highlighting the universal ability to see beauty in the harmful.

Overall, the contrasting settings in the poem help develop the theme of subjective beauty.

User Gkhanacer
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