Step 1 - Read the three poems below

(Hay for the Horses, The Changing Light, Writ on the Eve of My 32nd Birthday).

Step 2 - For each poem, respond on your own document to the following three prompts in 3-7 sentences each:

PROMPTS:
What is the theme or message of the poem?
What aspect of traditionalism was being rejected?
What is unconventional about this poem?

Your responses should contain textual evidence to support your claim and should include the re-written prompt. For example, “The theme of Gary Snyder’s Hay for Horses is……” Poem titles should be italicized when written in a sentence.

User Icon for Bot GPT 3.5 Bot GPT 3.5 answered
7 months ago

*Hay for the Horses*:

The theme of Gary Snyder’s *Hay for Horses* is the importance of connection to nature and the land. The poem emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural world, particularly through the image of hay being fed to the horses. This theme is supported by lines such as "When it comes in it's built clean and new” which highlights the cycle of life and renewal that occurs in nature.

The aspect of traditionalism being rejected in *Hay for Horses* is the idea of disconnecting from the land and the rhythms of nature. Snyder critiques modern society's tendency to prioritize convenience and technology over a deeper connection to the natural world. This rejection of modernity is evident in lines like "Dry-cleaned and ironed they put it up neat, / in great bright stacks, as though it were hay."

What is unconventional about *Hay for Horses* is the way in which Snyder uses simple, everyday imagery to convey deeper philosophical ideas. The poem is deceptively straightforward on the surface, but upon closer examination, it reveals a complex meditation on the human relationship to nature and the cycles of life and death. This unconventional approach to poetry eschews traditional forms and language in favor of a more organic and natural style.

*The Changing Light*:

The theme of Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s *The Changing Light* is the passage of time and the impermanence of life. The poem reflects on the inevitability of change and the transient nature of all things, demonstrated through the shifting light of the sun throughout the day. This theme is underscored by lines like "The changing light at San Francisco / is none of your East Coast light” which emphasizes the unique and fleeting nature of each moment.

The aspect of traditionalism being rejected in *The Changing Light* is the idea of stability and permanence. Ferlinghetti challenges the traditional notion of fixed identities and unchanging landscapes by celebrating the dynamic and ever-shifting quality of light. This rejection of tradition is evident in lines such as "The changing light on the sea, / the changing horizon" which highlights the constant fluidity of life.

What is unconventional about *The Changing Light* is the way in which Ferlinghetti captures the essence of a moment in time through vivid and sensory imagery. The poem eschews traditional narrative structure in favor of a more impressionistic and fragmented style, mirroring the way memories and experiences are often fleeting and elusive. This unconventional approach to poetry challenges the reader to embrace the beauty of impermanence and change.

*Writ on the Eve of My 32nd Birthday*:

The theme of John Keats’s *Writ on the Eve of My 32nd Birthday* is the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of youth and beauty, as well as the acceptance of mortality. This theme is supported by lines such as "Another year! — another deadly blow! / Another mighty year!" which highlights the way in which time marches on relentlessly.

The aspect of traditionalism being rejected in *Writ on the Eve of My 32nd Birthday* is the romanticized idea of eternal youth and immortality. Keats confronts the harsh reality of aging and the loss of innocence, rejecting the traditional poetic celebration of youth and beauty. This rejection of traditional themes is evident in lines like "My spirit is too weak — mortality / Weighs heavily on me like unwilling sleep" which convey a sense of resignation and melancholy.

What is unconventional about *Writ on the Eve of My 32nd Birthday* is the way in which Keats confronts the darker aspects of human existence with unflinching honesty. The poem moves beyond conventional notions of beauty and romance to explore the more somber themes of mortality and loss. This unconventional approach to poetry challenges the reader to contemplate the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death.