Poetry Unit Test - Articles & Dead Poets Flashcards
What is the importance of words?
Q #1: What are words essential for?
Q #2: How do words empower us?
A #1: They allow us to communicate and express ourselves.
A #2: They provide knowledge, which gives us the power to change the world and ourselves.
Poetry and perspective
Q #1: How does poetry alter our perspective?
Q #2: What does poetry encourage us to reflect upon?
A #1: It makes us think deeply and consider meanings that are not immediately visible
A #1: Ourselves, the world, and experiences we may not have personally had.
Poetry and empathy
Q #1: How does poetry build empathy?
Q #2: What effect does poetry have on our tolerance for others?
A #1: By exposing us to diverse experiences and increasing our understanding of others.
A #2: It increases tolerance and helps us be more empathetic toward humanity.
poetry is as dangerous as powerful
Q #1: Why can poetry be seen as dangerous?
Q #2: How can poetry be necessary in difficult times?
A #1: It reveals raw emotions and controversial ideas.
A #2: It provides hope, joy, and nourishment for the imagination.
Animal metaphor in poetry
Q #1: What animal does Housden use to describe poetry?
Q #2: How does the phoenix metaphor relate to poetry?
Q #1: What does Housden mean by “common currency of our daily speech”?
A #1: The phoenix.
A #2: It symbolizes renewal and imaginative adventure.
A #2: Words in poetry are compared to a method of exchange, highlighting their universal value.
Understanding poetry
Q #1: What does “eating the apple whole” symbolize in poetry?
Q #2: How should readers approach understanding poetry?
A #1: Fully absorbing and relating poetry to life and imagination.
A #2: By engaging with its words, rhythms, and meanings deeply.
Poetry and humanity
Q #1: How does poetry make us more fully human?
Q #2: What does poetry remind us about our actions?
A #1: By arousing emotions and increasing awareness of the world.
A #2: That we are in control and can create the change we want to see.
The paradox of poetry
Q #1: What paradox is presented about poetry’s role in the world?
Q #2: Why is poetry considered essential for humanity?
A #1: Poetry cannot save the world but is essential for guiding and inspiring hope.
A #2: It inspires hope, guidance, and belief in the goodness of life and humanity.
Power of poetry
Q #1: Why does Jong believe poetry is important for understanding historical and emotional experiences?
Q #2: What does poetry teach us about perspective?
A #2: Poetry offers deep insight through powerful words and images, helping us understand events and emotions regular language cannot fully convey.
A #2: It helps us see the world from different perspectives, deepening our understanding.
Life changing experiences examples:
Q #1: What are some examples Jong provides of events best expressed through poetry?
Q #2: According to Jong, when else can poetry be beneficial?
A #1: Falling in love, losing a friend, losing a child or parent, losing your way in life, becoming fatally ill, having a baby, or falling desperately in love.
A #2: During adventures, achieving goals, or any experiences involving loss, gain, or celebration.
Societry’s disconnection from poetry
Q #1: Why does Jong believe society is in trouble without poetry?
Q #2: How does poetry help us reconnect with ourselves and others?
A #1: Without poetry, people think less deeply, disconnect from others, and focus more on material things.
A #2: It encourages reflection, emotional connection, and deeper thought.
Living images and imagery
Q #1: What is a “living image” in poetry?
Q #2: How does imagery enhance poetry?
A #1: An image created by words that helps the reader truly experience the emotions or scene the poet is conveying.
A #2: It creates vivid mental pictures that allow readers to connect deeply with the poem.
Declarative utterance in poetry
Q #1: What does the phrase “declarative utterance packed with meaning” mean?
Q #2: How does poetry differ from regular language in expressing ideas?
A #1: Poetry conveys powerful meanings using only a few carefully chosen words.
A #2: It uses short, meaningful phrases to express big ideas, requiring deeper thought.
Sylvia Plath’s view of poetry
Q #1: What does Sylvia Plath mean by “the blood jet is poetry”?
Q #2: How did Plath view poetry as a tool for self-expression?
A #1: Poetry is essential and unstoppable, like blood in the veins, expressing raw and intense emotions.
A #2: She saw it as a personal and powerful way to reveal her true self and share honest, intense feelings.
Poetry in a noisy world
Q #1: Why is noise dangerous to poetry?
Q #2: How does noise in life compare to distractions in poetry?
A #1: Noise creates distractions and makes it difficult to focus on the words and their meaning, which require stillness and reflection.
A #2: Both require escaping from noise and finding solitude to connect with deeper meaning.
Care for the soul through poetry
Q #1: What does Jong mean by “the skin, not the soul, has all our care”?
Q #2: How does poetry address societal issues of materialism and appearance?
A #1: Society focuses on outward appearances while neglecting the soul, which poetry nurtures.
A #2: It helps us focus on our inner lives and emotions rather than superficial concerns.
Emotions vs logic in poetry
Q #1: Why does poetry focus on emotions instead of logic?
Q #2: How does poetry connect us to life beyond facts?
A #1: Emotions help us connect deeply, understand experiences, and relate to others on a personal level.
A #2: It uses emotions to reveal deeper truths and foster personal and empathetic connections.
Sylvia Plath and deep emotions
Q #1: How did Sylvia Plath use poetry to express emotions?
Q #1: Why is poetry described as “raw and real” in Plath’s view?
A: She used it as a way to share her most intense and honest feelings, revealing her inner self.
A #2: It comes directly from the poet’s inner self and expresses their deepest experiences authentically.
Welton College Curriculum and Poetry’s Role
Q #1: How does the poetry class differ from Science, Math, and Latin at Welton College?
Q #2: What values are emphasized in Welton’s traditional curriculum versus the poetry class?
A #1: Poetry class is fun, creative, and allows for self-expression, contrasting with the rigid, serious, and rule-driven nature of Science, Math, and Latin.
A #2: The traditional curriculum values discipline, integrity, and formality, while poetry encourages individuality and free thought.
“Gather Ye Rosebuds” and “Carpe Diem”
Q #1: What lesson does Mr. Keating convey by showing the students pictures of past Welton students?
Q #2: What does “Carpe Diem” mean, and how does it relate to “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may”?
A #1: He reminds them that life is fleeting, and they must seize opportunities before it’s too late.
A #2: “Carpe Diem” means “seize the day,” encouraging the students to live fully and take advantage of the present moment.
“The Powerful Play” and the Purpose of Poetry
Q #1: What does Mr. Keating mean by “the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse”?
Q #1: Why does Mr. Keating tell the students to rip out the poetry book’s introduction?
A #1: Life is an ongoing story, and each person has the chance to contribute their unique purpose or impact to it.
A #2: To emphasize that poetry has no restrictions and shouldn’t be confined by rigid, formulaic interpretations.
Transformation in the Cave
Q #1: What is the subject matter of the poems read by the boys in the cave?
Q #2: How do these poems inspire transformation in the boys?
A #1: Life goals, dreams, and the pursuit of excellence.
A #2: They encourage the boys to strive for greatness, follow their passions, and redefine their personal ambitions.
Standing on the Desk
Q #1: Why does Mr. Keating make the boys stand on top of his desk?
Q #2: How does this act relate to poetry?
A #1: To teach them to look at things from different perspectives and explore deeper meanings.
A #2: It mirrors how poetry challenges us to question conventional views and see the world in new ways.
The Soccer Scene
Q #1: What is the theme of the lines of poetry Mr. Keating shares during the soccer scene?
Q #2: Why were these particular lines chosen?
A #1: The importance of pursuing dreams, embracing passions, and being courageous to achieve greatness.
A #2: To inspire bravery, excitement for life, and the courage to strive for meaningful goals.
