• “There were once two little girls who saw, or believed they saw, a thing in a forest. …”
• “And now: it is easy to forget
what I came for
among so many who have always
lived here
swaying their crenellated fans
between the reefs
and besides
you breathe differently down here.
I came to explore the wreck.
The words are purposes.
The words are maps.
I came to see the damage that was done
and the treasures that prevail.”
• “Greece sees unmoved,
God’s daughter, born of love,
the beauty of cool feet
and slenderest knees,
could love indeed the maid,
only if she were laid,
white ash amid funereal cypresses.”
Section one : Quote Significance, Short Response
For this section, choose three (3) the quotes from the section above and describe in detail the
significance of each quote. The quotes you choose can be the same ones you chose to identify in Section
One. When explaining the importance of the quote, be sure to think about how the excerpt represents
the text as a whole, how it connects to the big ideas that we have discussed in class—and, of course,
how it relates to your own ideas. (Aim for approximately 150-200 words per response.)
Section Two : Essay Questions, Long Response
For this section, choose two (2) questions to answer exhaustively. You may incorporate ideas we have
discussed in class into your answers, as well as your own ideas and argumentation—or ideas you learned
in other classes that relate. Reference other texts we have read if you need to make a comparison!
However, please be careful NOT to summarize the stories; instead, use direct quotes from the text to
illustrate your ideas. If you summarize, you will not receive credit. (These answers should be longer than
the short response section, closer to 350-400 words per response.)
• What is the message of the poem “Leda and the Swan”? In other words, offer an analysis of the
poem “Leda and the Swan” by Yeats.
• Traditional fairy tales often rely on symbolic objects, actions, settings, or characters. How is "The
Thing in the Forest" like a fairy tale in this respect? How is it different? Are there figures of
speech in this story that you would argue are not symbolic? Explain in detail. What does the
fairy tale theme add or subtract from the story? Essentially, what is the purpose of the fairy tale
theme here?
• Clearly, Diana/WW can teach us about female independence and strength. I will NEVER deny
that. However, I don’t think a gender argument is the only thing we can take from this film or
these characters. So, tell me an original argument that you feel this film reveals that doesn’t
involve cheesy/cliche lines we have all heard before. (Yes, this is from the study guide—I want
you to take your answer and extend it.)
• How is Helen of Troy connected to Greek mythology? In “Helen the Whore and the Curse of
Beauty,” (this is in the Helen of Troy packet of the G drive) the author states that “Helen of Troy
has been remembered, judged—and hated—by every age since she entered the written record
2,700 years ago.” How does the poem “Helen” by H. D. express this sentiment? Are there any
connections to Atwood’s “Helen of Troy does Countertop Dancing”?
• In “My Last Duchess,” was the Duke responsible for his first wife's death in more ways than one?
If so, why would he admit this to his future father-in-law? What is the significance of knowing
the historical context of this poem?
• In “The Birth-Mark,” Aylmer says to his wife, "Even Pygmalion, when his sculptured woman
assumed life, felt not greater ecstasy than mine will be" (par. 19). How does this literary allusion
to the myth of Pygmalion enhance the meaning of "The Birth-Mark"? Is this allusion ironic, given
what happens to Alymer's project to make his wife perfect?
• Another one for “The Birth-Mark”: Look closely at the setting of the story, from the laboratory
to the boudoir. Note the similes, metaphors, and other figures of speech that help characterize
these places. How do these different patterns of imagery contribute to the symbolism of the
story? to an allegorical reading of the story?
• In “Hades Welcomes His Bride,” how does the dramatic monologue poem genre reveal to the
audience known or unknown traits, characteristics, etc.about Hades and his relationship with
Persephone?
• OPTIONAL: In Gaiman’s “Freya’s Unusual Wedding,” why is it important that Freya is portrayed
as a strong female who does not obey Thor and Loki’s demands? How does this contradict
everything Greek mythology teaches us about women?
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