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.

Question

Your response must address the following in each poem:

at least one element, such as conflict, characterization, or setting
literary point of view
at least one literary technique, such as flashback, foreshadowing, dialogue, or word choice
Poetic structure
Remember to write in complete, grammatically correct sentences and to avoid errors in usage, mechanics, and spelling.

When you are done, submit your assignment for grading.

Answer 1

In comparing "The Rainy Day" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks, both poems explore themes of adversity and resilience, albeit from different perspectives and settings. "The Rainy Day" captures the internal conflict of a speaker facing sorrow and reflecting on life's trials. The setting, emblematic of dreariness and melancholy, mirrors the speaker's emotional state, symbolizing the challenges that dampen one’s spirit. Longfellow employs the first-person point of view, allowing readers to intimately engage with the speaker’s feelings of despondency, which creates a sense of vulnerability. In contrast, "We Real Cool" presents a group of young individuals who are defiantly embracing a carefree lifestyle that glosses over the consequences of their choices. The setting is a bar, indicative of a transient lifestyle filled with boisterous bravado. Brooks utilizes the second-person point of view, creating a collective voice that emphasizes a sense of boldness but also foreshadows the potential dangers that accompany their reckless choices.

Both poems also utilize distinct literary techniques that enhance their themes. Longfellow's choice of language, with phrases such as "the gloomy day" and references to the "sorrow" that "shadows" the speaker, evokes a sense of heaviness and despair. The poem’s structure, with its rhythmic quatrains and rhyme scheme, reflects a certain musicality that contrasts with the somber content, creating an intricate balance between form and emotion. In "We Real Cool," Brooks employs sharp, concise lines and enjambment, creating a quick-paced rhythm that conveys the impulsivity of the young speakers. The repetitive use of the phrase "We real cool" functions as a mantra, reinforcing their collective identity while also hinting at the underlying emptiness of their bravado. This structure effectively mirrors their defiant, yet fleeting, sense of self and foreshadows the imperative realization of their precarious existence. Ultimately, both poems offer profound insights into the human experience, exploring the complexities of coping with life's challenges through vivid language and carefully constructed forms.

Answer 2

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:

at least one element, such as conflict, characterization, or setting
literary point of view
at least one literary technique, such as flashback, foreshadowing, dialogue, or word choice
Poetic structure
Remember to write in complete, grammatically correct sentences and to avoid errors in usage, mechanics, and spelling.

When you are done, submit your assignment for grading.

only use The Negro Speaks of Rivers,The Mending Wall poems

Answer 3

In comparing "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes and "The Mending Wall" by Robert Frost, both poems delve into themes of connection and division, approached through different lenses. "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" reveals a deep historical connection between African American identity and the rivers that symbolize both life and resilience. The setting spans significant rivers, such as the Euphrates and the Congo, grounding the poem in a vast timeline of human history and African heritage. Hughes employs the first-person point of view, which allows for an intimate reflection on the speaker's existence and the collective suffering of the African American experience. In contrast, "The Mending Wall" presents a more localized setting, focusing on a boundary that divides two neighbors as they attempt to repair a wall each year. Through the dialogue between the two characters, Frost explores themes of tradition versus modernization, illustrating the conflict that arises from differing attitudes toward boundaries. The use of a conversational tone and dialogue in this poem adds a layer of complexity, showcasing the contrast between the speaker's perspective and that of his neighbor, who staunchly believes “Good fences make good neighbors.”

Both poems also utilize distinct literary techniques that enhance their thematic elements. In "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," Hughes employs rich imagery and evocative language, using phrases like “deep as the rivers” and “ancient, dusky rivers” to evoke a sense of timelessness and depth within the African American cultural experience. The poem unfolds in a free verse structure, which allows the rhythm to flow naturally, mirroring the rivers themselves and fostering a deeper emotional resonance. Conversely, "The Mending Wall" employs a structured format with regular stanzas, contrasting the chaotic nature of the dialogues and reflecting the ongoing conflict of maintaining boundaries. Frost’s choice of rhetorical questions, as exemplified in the line, “Why do they make good neighbors?” prompts readers to contemplate the necessity and implications of walls in human interactions. While Hughes seeks to evoke connection through shared history and cultural identity, Frost challenges conventional wisdom about separation, showing how boundaries can create both physical and emotional distance. Together, these poems offer rich commentary on the human experience, exploring the duality of connection and separation through powerful imagery, form, and voice.

Answer 4

Redo that but when doing the mending wall talk about the poem how about it's about kids skipping school, being disobedient robbing and dies. add more if need make sure you don't pass the limit.

Answer 5

In comparing Langston Hughes's "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" and Robert Frost's "The Mending Wall," both poems engage with themes of connection and separation but approach them through distinct narratives and settings. "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" encapsulates a profound historical connection between African American identity and the rivers that symbolize endurance and cultural heritage. Hughes’s setting stretches across significant rivers such as the Euphrates and the Congo, representing a continuity of life and wisdom. The poem employs the first-person point of view, creating an intimate reflection on both personal and collective experiences and challenges faced throughout history. In contrast, "The Mending Wall" opens with a rural setting that focuses on the annual ritual of two neighbors repairing a wall that divides their properties. This poem explores the conflict and tradition embodied in the act of building barriers, symbolizing the tensions of human relationships. Although Frost's poem centers on this maintenance of separation, it carries an undertone of rebellion that can be seen through the eyes of younger generations who seek to break free from established boundaries, reflecting a sense of disobedience against traditional norms.

Both poems utilize distinctive literary techniques that enhance their thematic concerns. In "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," Hughes's powerful imagery, such as “ancient, dusky rivers,” evokes a deep sense of history and cultural resilience. The poem's free verse allows for a natural flow that mirrors the rivers themselves, fostering an emotional connection to the African American experience. Conversely, "The Mending Wall" employs a more structured form with regular stanza lengths, emphasizing the repetitive nature of the wall's mending. Frost’s use of dialogue between the two neighbors illustrates contrasting views on boundaries; while one neighbor believes in the necessity of the wall, the speaker questions its purpose, hinting at a broader desire for rebellion and disobedience. This conflict can reflect a youthful perspective, where themes of skipping school or engaging in reckless behavior echo the sentiment of seeking autonomy against societal expectations. Ultimately, while Hughes celebrates the connection through shared history, Frost critiques the necessity of separations that inhibit growth and community. Together, these poems offer profound insights into the complexities of connection and division, navigating the delicate balance between cultural heritage and individual freedom through carefully crafted imagery and thoughtful structures.