A Lesson For This Sunday

Question 1

tone

Answer 1

The speaker’s tone is initially calm but becomes troubled, distressed and grimly philosophical as he reflects on the implications of the scene he has just witnessed.

Question 2

mood

Answer 2

initially leisurely as the persona anticipates his Sunday rest. This peaceful mood, disturbed by two discordant elements becomes noisy and violent prompting an appalled reaction from the persona who begins to contemplate the dark side of Man’s nature. Overall, the mood is disquietingly reflective.

Question 3

literary device

metaphor

Answer 3

As in “frail kites”, “lemonade of praise”, “a thing of summery light”, “blue August air”, “frocks of summer torn”, and “the scythe’s design”.

Question 4

symbolism

Answer 4

“Summer grass” symbolizes man’s brief lifespan that is quickly cut down.”lemon frock” and “yellow wings” represent in turn, Nature, innocence, harmlessness and vulnerability. The girl in the lemon (yellow) dress parallels the butterfly. Both are supposed to be joyous, “innocent” creatures but the girl’s childish innocence is deceptively deadly.

Question 5

contrast

Answer 5

The peaceful tone and contented imagery of stanza one preceding the children’s appearance contrasts with the disturbed and appalled tones of stanza two with its boisterous intrusion and violent imagery.

Question 6

cruelty to nature

Answer 6

The assault upon Nature is shocking in its extreme violence, moreover as the victim is a fragile, harmless thing of beauty, a creature of the air. Typical of children, these two are curious and adventurous but instead of showing appreciation for the wonders of Nature, they capture and torment the butterfly for sport, deriving great enjoyment from the act. They spare no thought for the pain felt by the “maimed, teetering” thing apart from wanting to injure it ever further, which is ironic since they are just as frail and innocent as the butterfly and just as vulnerable to other human predators.