Question

In this assignment, you will read two poems and respond to the prompt below. Please complete each part of the worksheet to deepen your understanding of comparing and contrasting poetry.

Prompt: Compare and contrast the poems “On the Grasshopper and the Cricket” and “The Call of the Wild.” In a paragraph of 5-7 sentences, identify and discuss each poem’s structure, style, tone, purpose, and meaning. Why did each poet make the choices they did? How did their choices impact you as a reader?

Part 1: PReP the poems. Preview, read, and paraphrase for understanding.

Poem 1
Poem 2
“On the Grasshopper and the Cricket”
by John Keats

The poetry of earth is never dead:
When all the birds are faint with the hot sun,
And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run
From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead;
That is the Grasshopper's—he takes the lead
In summer luxury,—he has never done
With his delights; for when tired out with fun
He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.
The poetry of earth is ceasing never:
On a lone winter evening, when the frost
Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills
The Cricket's song, in warmth increasing ever,
And seems to one in drowsiness half lost,
The Grasshopper's among some grassy hills.


“The Call of the Wild”
by Alexander Posey


I’m tired of the gloom
In a four-walled room;
Heart-weary, I sigh
For the open sky,
And the solitude 1 2
Of the greening wood;
Where the bluebirds call,
And the sunbeams fall,
And the daisies lure
The soul to be pure.

I’m tired of the life
In the ways of strife;
Heart-weary, I long
For the river’s song,
And the murmur of rills
In the breezy hills;
Where the pipe of Pan—
The hairy half-man—
The bright silence breaks
By the sleeping lakes.








Part 2: Organize Your Thoughts
Prompt
Poem 1: “On the Grasshopper
and the Cricket”
Poem 2: “The Call of the Wild”
Structure
Stanzas?
Rhyme scheme?
Villanelle, sonnet, or neither?
Rhyme scheme
Rhyme scheme
Style
Point of view?
Examples of diction?
Figurative language?
3rd person pov, When all the birds are faint with the hot sun,
And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run, no


2nd person pov, I’m tired of the gloom
In a four-walled room;, yes
Tone
Choose one or two words that define the author’s attitude towards the topic
Happy, knowing
Sad, hopeful
Purpose
Why did the poet write this poem?
To propose that poetry of the earth is never dead
To propose that nature is dying
Meaning
What is the theme, or message, of the poem?
That poetry of the earth will never get old or “die”
That nature is dying and humans need to do something about it


Part 3: Write Your Compare and Contrast Paragraph
Your paragraph will compare and contrast:
structure
style (point of view, diction, and figurative language)
tone
purpose
meaning
poet’s reasons for choices
impact on the reader

Type your compare and contrast paragraph here

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The poems "On the Grasshopper and the Cricket" by John Keats and "The Call of the Wild" by Alexander Posey have distinct differences in their structure, style, tone, purpose, and meaning.

In terms of structure, "On the Grasshopper and the Cricket" consists of a single fourteen-line stanza with an irregular rhyme scheme (ABABCDCDEFEFGG), while "The Call of the Wild" is divided into two stanzas, the first having six lines and the second having eight lines, with an irregular rhyme scheme (ABCCBBAABB).

Regarding style, "On the Grasshopper and the Cricket" is written in the third person point of view and utilizes descriptive language to depict the presence of the grasshopper and cricket in different seasons. On the other hand, "The Call of the Wild" adopts the second person point of view, creating a more personal and introspective tone.

The tone of "On the Grasshopper and the Cricket" can be described as happy and knowing, celebrating the enduring presence of nature's poetry. Conversely, "The Call of the Wild" has a tone that is sad yet hopeful, expressing a yearning for freedom and a connection with nature.

The purpose of "On the Grasshopper and the Cricket" is to emphasize that the poetry of the earth, represented by the grasshopper and cricket, is eternal and never dies. In contrast, "The Call of the Wild" aims to convey the poet's weariness with the confinement of modern life and a longing for the tranquility found in nature.

The meaning of "On the Grasshopper and the Cricket" is that the beauty and joy of nature can be found in every season, and it will always exist as a source of inspiration and delight. Conversely, "The Call of the Wild" highlights the urgent need to reconnect with nature and break free from the constraints of modern society before it's too late.

Each poet made specific choices to convey their intended message and evoke emotions in the reader. Keats employed vivid imagery and contrast between seasons to emphasize the eternal presence of nature's poetry, while Posey used a second person point of view and evocative language to create a personal and relatable experience, prompting readers to seek solace and freedom in nature.

The impact on the reader is different for each poem. "On the Grasshopper and the Cricket" may leave readers with a renewed appreciation for the timeless poetry of the earth, while "The Call of the Wild" may evoke a sense of longing for a deeper connection with nature and reflection on one's own relationship with the natural world.

In conclusion, the poems "On the Grasshopper and the Cricket" and "The Call of the Wild" differ in structure, style, tone, purpose, and meaning. The choices made by each poet contribute to the impact they have on readers, inviting them to appreciate the enduring beauty of nature or contemplate their own connection to it.