AP Lit Chp. 2 Flashcards
What makes a poem an ode? How is “Grecian Urn” a representative Ode?
A poem that expresses praise, gratification, or tribute. The poem is an ode because the author is praising its beauty.
In stanza 1, what is the meaning of “still” in line 1? How is the urn only a “foster child” of silence and slow time” in line 2? Who is the real parent?
The urn is still because the images on its sides are frozen in time. The urn is a foster child because it’s adopted by silence and slow time. Usually, time flies by but in this case, it’s not because the urn is not alive. The real parent is the urn’s potter.
How is the urn a “sylvan historian”?
The urn is a “sylvan historian” because due to its authenticity and visual storytelling via the painted images on it
What is the first scene the speaker studies on the urn, described in stanza 1? Why are the maidens described as “loath”?
The first scene on the urn depicts a group of men pursuing a group of women. He wonders what their story could be. The maidens are described as loath (unwilling) because they are trying to hold off the men’s advances.
Why are “unheard” melodies “sweeter” as mentioned in lines 11 – 12?
The melodies Keats can only imagine are sweeter than melodies he can actually hear. When one imagines a story or image, it’s hard to have another individual see that same picture in their mind and appreciate it as much as the individual who imagined something without using a picture to show the other what they’re talking about.
Why does the speaker encourage the “fair youth beneath the trees” (line 15) “not to grieve”?
Man and woman are interested in each other on the urn. Beauty is everlasting. He is saying to this guy don’t grieve because she won’t kiss you, the beauty you are experiencing now will never be lost. She will always be beautiful.
Considering the first part of stanza 3 (lines 21 – 27) what point is Keats making in lines 28 – 30? It may help your understanding to put the words “far above” at the beginning of line 28 instead of at the End.
Keats is referring to the Urn as an object that is above all things, specifically the human. It leaves too much sweetness
What scene is depicted on the other side of the urn (stanza 4)? How is it different than the first scene? Is the “town” discussed so much in stanza 4 actually on the urn? Explain.
The scene on the other side of the urn depicts villagers preparing to sacrifice a cow. This is different than the first scene because the first scenes are ones of love; men chasing women to try and make advances, and two lovers sitting under a tree.
The town that is discussed is not actually on the urn; rather Keats imagines the town the villagers present are coming from. He imagines how the town they’re from is deserted since all the villagers are sacrificing this cow and will never be able to return to their town since the images on the urn can’t move.
What aspect of “real” life is concentrated on in lines 46 – 48? With that in mind, how is the urn a “friend to man”?
When this generation is gone and another has come, the urn will still be there unchanged, remaining with the same message: beauty is truth. Whatever beauty and truth are there has to be an eternal quality on it, how the urn will never change, what is there will always be there.
The urn is a friend to man because it displays ideal beauty. In real life, life isn’t always beautiful, but the urn allows us to imagine what life could be like if it was always ideal.
Interpret the last two lines of “Ode to a Grecian Urn”. What do you think Keats is trying to say?
The last two lines contain quotations, the Urn is talking to the man. These lines contain many interpretations such as beauty and truth are one, in life beauty is the enduring truth, inherent in truth and beauty is a quality of permanent value to a man.
Analyze the descriptions of the bear and the wilderness in “The Bear”. Some of these descriptions are given before the boy even accompanies the elders on their trip. What impression does Faulkner mean to create about the woods and bear through these descriptions?
Tremendous because there were traps set out in the camp. Marred by humanity because his foot was benign and caught in the trap. Invincible because so many people have tried to kill him but he always comes back. He describes nature and the bear as huge amazing and untouchable because humans are puny compared to the woods. He tries to create the destruction of the once untouched part of nature.
Study the descriptions of the camp dogs’ reaction to the bear. What does the boy discover about the dogs? Comment on Sam’s explanation of the wounded dog on p. 523. How does it relate to the boy?
The dogs were scared and the dogs taught Isaac to be brave because even though the bear was much bigger than the dogs they did as they were told and attacked the bear. It relates to the boy because he needed to get rid of his comfort items and be brave.
Gun, watch, compass, and a stick were the comfort items
What does the boy need to do to see the bear for the first time? What, in essence, is the significance of what he needs to do?
He needs to give up those items to see the bear for the first time. He is showing the bear that he is giving up all his protection and he knows how to navigate the woods. He is also vulnerable, one with nature just like the bear.
Review the reason given for the men’s trip to the camp on p. 522. How does it relate to the story’s theme?
It is a tradition and they also hunt animals that arent the bear but they are more focused on seeing the bear.
evershifting relationship between human society and the natural world.
The bear is a symbol of nature as a whole.
This relates to the theme because going to the hunt every year, Sam instills an admiration for the creation of the world.
What does the boy learn from the bear, Sam Fathers, and the fyce?
Bear - The bear teaches him to have pride in his freedom.
Sam Fathers - Don’t let the hammer of the rifle down. He tells him this so nobody will be shot. Have humility through suffering.
Fyce - taugh the boy what it mean to be brave and courageous. He ran towards the bear without any sense of fear.
Why does the boy’s father read “Ode to a Grecian Urn” to him? What is the relevance of the poem? To what the boy learns and what Faulkner is trying to communicate in the story?
It is relevant because he is trying to tell him about beauty and truth, and the bear and the fyce all have eternal meaning to them. All the lessons he was taught are everlasting qualities so they don’t fade. they don’t shoot the bear because they see it as everlasting.
How is Mayor Stockmann characterized in Act 1 of Enemy of the People? What sort of person is he? Use direct quotes to back your answer.
There is a controversy between him and his brother. “I will stick to my toast”
He is a simple fellow
Idealist - his way of life is the right way “it’s extraordinary how people who spring directly from the peasant class never get over their want for tact”
More subtle than he normally is.
He is civil and is trying to be polite in the first act
the mayor thinks that he and other government officials should get the best of everything
What do we discover about Dr. Stockmann’s past through exposition in the play? What else is learned through exposition?
Dr, Stockmann and the mayor were very poor when they were little. They’ve both grown up to be more wealthy. Dr. Stockmann goes back to being poor at the end of the play. He learns how to fend for himself by living in a small area. Taught him how to stay strong and stick to his beliefs.
What group does Mr. Aslaksen represent? How is Aslaksen’s character similar or different than the Chorus in a Greek play?
Aslaksen represents the middle class majority, the common people. The common people they are wishy washy, they don’t form their own opinions and go with whatever the crowd thinks. They are more comfortable with agreeing with what others say. They are different from the Greek Chorus play because they don’t care what others think and stick to their beliefs.
Mrs. Stockmann says at the end of Act 2 “. . . what good is the right, if you don’t have the might?” How true is Mrs. Stockmann’s observation? How does it hold true or false in our society?
Team red could have 20 people and team blue could have 15 but team red is “right” because they have more people, it necessary may not be right but in society it is. This statement is true. In society it’s like voting, the majority may get their way, they might not necessarily be right.
