Cozy Apologia by Rita Dove

Question 1

What does Rita Dove use the poem as a vehicle to?

Answer 1

To defend her rather mundane version of love as the title translates to “in defence of cosines”, and to promote the appreciation of what you have as opposed to always wishing for more

Question 2

Initially point

Answer 2

She defends the mundanity of her love, by suggesting that it extends beyond over romanticised love and moves more into the love of each other in their everyday lives

Question 3

Initially… (qoute 1)

Answer 3

“I could pick anything and think of you”

The specific use of “anything” shows that her love for him extends to all limits of her life and is rooted in reality.

Question 4

Initially… (qoute 2)

Answer 4

“I could choose any hero, any cause or age”

• “any age” shows that she will forever love him regardless of anything that may happen, which reinforces the authenticity of the relationship

Question 5

As the text develops point

Answer 5

She reveals that she feels safe and secure in her relationship despite any societal pressures due to the interracial relationship and the hurricane that is happening

Question 6

As the text develops… (qoute 1)

Answer 6

“Big Bad Floyd” and “daydreams”

• Capitalisation of Big and Bad shows the harsh societal views upon their interracial relationship
• This is also reference to the hurricane that is happening outside
• By suggesting that a hurricane brings about “daydreams” highlights just how safe and secure she feels in her relationship

Question 7

As the text develops… (quote 2)

Answer 7

“Post-post modern” and “do-it-now-take-no-risks”

• through post-post modern she suggests that society is always developing as reinforced by the reference of compact disks being the height of modernity in her time, which is ironic because to a modern audience, compact disks are obsolete
• “do it now” dashes ridicules this belief, she suggests that love doesn’t have to be like this

Question 8

As the text develops… (quote 3)

Answer 8

“Kiss you senseless”

-senseless highlights the lack of emotion behind her teenage relationships as does “hollow centre” which highlights that her previous relationships lacked substance and meaning

Question 9

Ultimately point

Answer 9

Dove highlights how she is happy in her relationship despite it being mundane and not flamboyant

Question 11

Ultimately… (quote 1)

Answer 11

“We’re content but fall short of Divine”

-She recognises that she doesn’t conform to societal expectations of love, however she doesn’t care, and is happy with what she has as shown through the reference to “hardwood floors”