What are some of the key symbols or metaphors in the poem, and how are they used to convey meaning to the reader? How do these elements enrich the poem and deepen your understanding of its themes?

Symbolism and Metaphor in Four Poets’ Work: Brooks, Dickinson, Frost, and Hughes

Prompt:

Choose a poem to analyze from this week’s assigned reading list (see below). We are reading and discussing the works of Gwendolyn Brooks, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and Langston Hughes.

Create a written response of a paragraph or two of at least 150-200 words.

You may use the following questions to develop a response to your poem, or you may discuss another more appropriate literary element (e.g., imagery, characterization, theme) as best fits your selection:

What are some of the key symbols or metaphors in the poem, and how are they used to convey meaning to the reader?

How do these elements enrich the poem and deepen your understanding of its themes?

What is your reaction to the poem’s content and language? Would you recommend this poem to friends?

Read the following poems and choose one to discuss:

Dickinson:
“After Great Pain, a Formal Feeling Comes”
“Because I Could Not Stop for Death”
“’Faith’ Is A Fine Invention”
“’Hope’ Is the Thing with Feathers”
“I Heard A Fly Buzz When I Died”
“I Like to See It Lap the Miles”
“Much Madness Is Divinest Sense”
“My Life Had Stood—A Loaded Gun”
“There’s A Certain Slant of Light”
“This Is My Letter to the World”
Frost:
“Birches”
“Design”
“Fire and Ice”
“Mending Wall”
“Nothing Gold Can Stay”
“For Once, Then, Something”
“Out, Out”
“The Road Not Taken”
“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”
Brooks:
“The Mother”
“Sadie and Maud”
“A Song in the Front Yard”
“We Real Cool”
Hughes:
“Cross”
“Harlem”
“Negro”
“Suicide’s Note”
“The Negro Speaks of Rivers”
“Theme for English B”

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