"Ode on Solitude" by Alexander Pope has a main theme of peace and finding comfort. It tells the story of the life of a man who finds comfort in living in solitude and being alone. He wants no one to know where he lives and wants no one to mourn his death. Being unknown to the world is something that makes him feel calm and at ease. Alexander Pope describes how the man's land provides him with everything he needs and that he has "peace of mind" and " health of body". Since the man has all of life's essentials, he is fine with living alone and having his life pass by in solitude. Sometimes being around certain people can cause sadness and worry, so this may be what he is trying to avoid.
This poem is a traditional ode. It is traditional because it has a regular pattern of rhyme and rhythm. It has an ABAB rhyme scheme and is separated into four - line stanzas. The narrator of this poem is the man, who speaks about his own life.
The author uses many personifications and imagery to describe the things that the man enjoys about living alone and the benefits it has. "Hours, days, and years slide soft away", "whose flocks supply him", and "not a stone tell where I lie" are examples of personifications in this poem. Some of the imagery in "Ode on Solitude" such as, "whose trees in summer yield him shade, in winter fire" help the reader to imagine the scene of the man's peaceful home and life of solitude.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Poetry Review of "Boots of Spanish Leather" by Paiten Baesa
In "Boots of Spanish Leather" written by Bob Dylan a man is waiting for his true love to sail back to him sooner than planned. This poem is based off of love and compassion for one another. She offers to send things of silver and gold but nothing can take her place until she comes back to her true love. "I'd forsake them all for your sweet kiss, For that's all I'm wishin' to be ownin'."
This poem is written in traditional form which it might have a specific number of lines and stanzas or a regular pattern of rythm and rhyme. Every other line in each stanza the last words rhyme, such as, "I'm sure your mind is roamin' ... But with the country where your're goin'."
Many different literary devices can be seen in this poem. One of the most commonly seen can be rhyme. Rhyme is the repetition of sounds at the ends of words or phrases, "It only brings me sorrow ... I would want again tomorrow." Another device that is seen is alliteration which is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. An example of this could be, "Take heed of the stormy weather ... Spanish boots of Spanish Leather." A third device seen throughout the poem is imagery, a language that appeals to one or more of your senses, such as, "Oh, but if I had the stars from the darkest night, And the diamonds from the deepest ocean, ..." The last device I saw was rhythm which is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. "It was from her ship a-sailin' ... It depends on how I'm a-feelin." Literary devices can change one speech, thought, word or phrase to how the poet envisions it.
This poem is written in traditional form which it might have a specific number of lines and stanzas or a regular pattern of rythm and rhyme. Every other line in each stanza the last words rhyme, such as, "I'm sure your mind is roamin' ... But with the country where your're goin'."
Many different literary devices can be seen in this poem. One of the most commonly seen can be rhyme. Rhyme is the repetition of sounds at the ends of words or phrases, "It only brings me sorrow ... I would want again tomorrow." Another device that is seen is alliteration which is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. An example of this could be, "Take heed of the stormy weather ... Spanish boots of Spanish Leather." A third device seen throughout the poem is imagery, a language that appeals to one or more of your senses, such as, "Oh, but if I had the stars from the darkest night, And the diamonds from the deepest ocean, ..." The last device I saw was rhythm which is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. "It was from her ship a-sailin' ... It depends on how I'm a-feelin." Literary devices can change one speech, thought, word or phrase to how the poet envisions it.
Children's Book Review of The Nutcracker by Kaitlyn Florence
The Nutcracker is a sweet traditional story. It is told in chronological order with enough details sufficient to the story. Each page is about a paragraph long made up of detailed, yet easy to read sentences. The author is especially good about including literary tools, for example the writer uses the onomatopoeia, "bong" to convey the feeling that time is running out for Marie, the main character. Also, the book uses the simile "sweetly as a nightingale" to express to the reader exactly how well Herr Drosselmeier, Marie's godfather, made toys. One of the neat aspects of this tale is the personification of the flowers, snowflakes, toys, teas, and coffee. These objects I have just mentioned become beautiful dancers in this magical storybook. The fairy tale is told at a fast pace. He often ends a page in the middle of an action-packed scene encouraging the young reader to turn the page. Other than writing, the author also illustrates the story.
Susan Jeffers, the author/illustrator, designed a striking cover that presents two main characters in the story, which helps introduce them to the writing. Marie is depicted on the cover as a loving person. Jeffers really has a natural talent for showing expression in an individual's eyes. You can tell by the way Marie's hair is flowing and her flushed cheeks that she is running away from something. She is not running away from the nutcracker in her arms, so she must be saving him and herself from an unknown character. This shows she loves him no matter what his appearance may be. The artist used drawing as their primary medium. Pages seventeen and eighteen summarize the story very well. These pages show several characters in one scene. They display to the young reader the setting and time of year the tale took place, Susan placed the characters under a Christmas tree. Also, she shows the transition of scenes to exhibit the different parts of the story. If you look closely at the ornaments in the picture you can see Marie's godfather. That helps explain how all of the magic is happening. The illustrator has two main elements in her illustrations. Most of her drawings show the two main characters, Marie, and the nutcracker. However, she has another element throughout her drawings, the spirit and magic of Christmas. Jeffers's is great at showing characterization in the pictures.
In the sotry, Marie is characterized as a loving child. She loves the nutcracker even though he was ugly. She has an unconditional love for him. The text is also very clear that Marie is courageous. Throughout the tale the text clearly states that Marie is courageous. She even kills the Mouse King to save her beloveed nutcracker. The illustrations in the story show her as a sweet, grateful, and selfless child. Young children can relate with Marie's traits. Children, young girls especially, can be very protective. They protect their dolls and toys as if they were a real baby or soldier. Marie genuinely loves and protects her little doll.
She is a trustworthy individual. You have to be trustworthy to go places in life, learning this is a life lesson. The main problem in the story occurs when Marie tries to escape the Evil Mouse King. Running away does her no good, but once she fights the "problem" instead of running away she then is able to solve it. Many kids can relate because they run away from their fears and problems instead of turning around and solving them. Although she is only a young child, she takes matters in her own hands to solve the conflict. She ends up killing the Evil Mouse King to save her and the nurcracker. Altogether, Susan Jeffers has created an interesting, creative, and visually stunning fairy tale!
Susan Jeffers, the author/illustrator, designed a striking cover that presents two main characters in the story, which helps introduce them to the writing. Marie is depicted on the cover as a loving person. Jeffers really has a natural talent for showing expression in an individual's eyes. You can tell by the way Marie's hair is flowing and her flushed cheeks that she is running away from something. She is not running away from the nutcracker in her arms, so she must be saving him and herself from an unknown character. This shows she loves him no matter what his appearance may be. The artist used drawing as their primary medium. Pages seventeen and eighteen summarize the story very well. These pages show several characters in one scene. They display to the young reader the setting and time of year the tale took place, Susan placed the characters under a Christmas tree. Also, she shows the transition of scenes to exhibit the different parts of the story. If you look closely at the ornaments in the picture you can see Marie's godfather. That helps explain how all of the magic is happening. The illustrator has two main elements in her illustrations. Most of her drawings show the two main characters, Marie, and the nutcracker. However, she has another element throughout her drawings, the spirit and magic of Christmas. Jeffers's is great at showing characterization in the pictures.
In the sotry, Marie is characterized as a loving child. She loves the nutcracker even though he was ugly. She has an unconditional love for him. The text is also very clear that Marie is courageous. Throughout the tale the text clearly states that Marie is courageous. She even kills the Mouse King to save her beloveed nutcracker. The illustrations in the story show her as a sweet, grateful, and selfless child. Young children can relate with Marie's traits. Children, young girls especially, can be very protective. They protect their dolls and toys as if they were a real baby or soldier. Marie genuinely loves and protects her little doll.
She is a trustworthy individual. You have to be trustworthy to go places in life, learning this is a life lesson. The main problem in the story occurs when Marie tries to escape the Evil Mouse King. Running away does her no good, but once she fights the "problem" instead of running away she then is able to solve it. Many kids can relate because they run away from their fears and problems instead of turning around and solving them. Although she is only a young child, she takes matters in her own hands to solve the conflict. She ends up killing the Evil Mouse King to save her and the nurcracker. Altogether, Susan Jeffers has created an interesting, creative, and visually stunning fairy tale!
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Happy New Year and Welcome to our Classroom Blog!
January
2015
Hello HCA Families!
My name is Robin McCartney
and I am the new addition to the English Department at Heritage Christian
Academy. I am excited to get to know
your students and explore English Literature, Grammar and Writing with them!
Let me tell you a little bit
about myself. My husband Marc and I have
been married 19 years and live in Rockwall.
We have 2 daughters, Macy (15) and Mallory (12). We are active members at Lake Pointe Church
and love watching our daughters play high school and middle school basketball.
Professionally, I have taught
middle school and high school english and history. Most recently, I have been an elementary
school counselor and middle school counselor.
Of all the things I have done in education, my absolute favorite age has
been middle school students. I love
working with and being around this particular age group.
I am excited to introduce to
the students our very own Classroom Blog!
During the spring semester students will post from time to time on our
classroom blog. This will be an
opportunity for students to publish their writing and an opportunity for
parents and others to see their written work.
I will also communicate important information and updates with students
and parents through Remind 101 and Twitter.
Please be sure to sign up for updates with Remind 101 on your mobile
device. It is quick, safe and easy. I am attaching the information for sign up,
please be sure and sign up for your student’s particular class. I am looking forward to a fun and exciting
spring semester with your students at HCA!
Go Eagles!
Robin McCartney
Email: rmccartney@hcarockwall.org
Twitter: @HCA_English
Classroom Blog: http://mccartneyclassroomblog.blogspot.com
Remind 101: Sign Up information attached
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