(Unit 2) (Skill 3) Plot and Structure Flashcards
When considering a stanza, what is useful to recall? Why?
The paragraph in prose
A paragraph indicates the conclusion of one thought and the beginning of another
What may a stanza break result in?
A stanza break may feel like a hesitation (like a pause), or it may feel like an acceleration
State an example of how a stanza break feels like a natural pause
When the stanza ends at the end of a sentence, it strengthens the natural pause
State an example of how a stanza break feels like an acceleration
When a sentence runs on through a stanza into the next stanza, it hastens the tempo
List two reasons why stanzas break
Stanzas are like paragraphs, they conclude one thought and begin another
The break of stanzas can produce a hesitation/pause or an acceleration
In “Solitude”, what are the ideas of the first stanza?
We are not alone in nature
We are in the company of the natural world
In “Solitude”, what are the ideas of the second stanza
We ARE alone in a crowd
We have become unnatural
What does the ending of the first stanza “This is not solitude, ‘tis but to hold / Converse with Nature’s charms, and view her stores unrolled.” make the reader feel?
Slows down and almost leaves the reader at peace; like admiring nature
What does the start of the second stanza “But midst the crowd, the hurry, the shock of men, / To hear, to see, to feel and to possess,” make the reader feel?
Immediate acceleration and creates this tension or anxiety for the reader
Why does the start of the second stanza feel like an acceleration? (2)
The numerous short choppy phrases with commas separating them
The content of the phrases (“the hurry”, “the shock of men” etc.)
Stanzas are like __________:
They signify __________ and _______
They can cause the reader to _____
They can __________ the ____
Paragraphs
Beginnings
Endings
Pause
Accelerate
Pace
True or False:
Line turns are meaningful
True
Why are line turns meaningful? (3)
Often the effect is felt by the reader
Often there is a rhythm to each line
Short lines and long lines are eye-catching
What do commas do?
Commas connect thoughts
In “A Noiseless Patient Spider”, what do the two stanzas portray?
The first stanza is talking about a spider
The second stanza is talking about the speaker’s soul
What is “A Noiseless Patient Spider” portraying?
This poem is about attempting to connect
What does this stanza break create in the reader?
This stanza break is a pause, and attempts to connect the two ideas together
The form of something should suit its ________
The design of something should suit its _______
Function
Purpose
Define:
Contrast
Something that is different from something else in close association (it is pervasive)
True or False:
Poets/writers try to capture the contrasts in peoples lives
True, they often (but not always) seek to capture this complexity
What contrasts does “On First Looking Into Chapman’s Homer” have?
Actual travel vs Literary travel
Being told about something vs Experiencing it
Memorable experience vs The epiphany
How is the contrast of actual versus literary travel shown in “On First Looking Into Chapman’s Homer”?
He states “Much have I travell’d in the realms of gold,” and later states “Round many western islands have I been”
How is the contrast of being told about something versus experiencing something shown in “On First Looking Into Chapman’s Homer”?
He states “Oft of one wide expanse had I been told / That deep-brow’d Homer rules as his demesne” and later states “Till I head Chapman speak out loud and bold”
How is the contrast of memorable experience versus the epiphany shown in “On First Looking Into Chapman’s Homer”?
He states “Then felt I like some watcher of the skies…” and later states “Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes…”
Contrasts exist in ____, ____, and _________
Word
Idea
Structure
True or False:
Contrasts are not part of the human experience
False, contrasts are part of the human experience and we shouldn’t shy away from them
How can contrasts be made more powerful?
Figurative language
What is “a sordid boon!” an example of?
An oxymoron, due to the contrast between the words “sordid” and “boon”
How is a contrast portrayed in words?
There is difference between words that are close together, almost opposite of each other
How is a contrast portrayed in ideas?
Opposing ideas, or ideas that are very different are expressed one after another
How is a contrast portrayed in structure?
A difference in the ideas along with the literary techniques and devices used are portrayed close together
Contrasts are chances to explore _______
Tension
In a sonnet, when is the turning point of the poem often presented?
At line 9
What happens at line 9 of a sonnet?
Another idea is presented after the first idea is presented
