The poems The Sick Rose, Ballad, To His Coy Mistress and A Woman to her Lover Essay Example for Free

The poems The Sick Rose, Ballad, To His Coy Mistress and A Woman to her Lover Essay The poems chosen all explore a different aspect of love through the use of poetic features, language and range of perspectives. Whilst Ballad was a female perspective, showing her physical relationship with a very devious man, To his Coy Mistress is from a male perspective, as he attempts, through a seductive yet rational argument, to win over his coy lady. A Woman to her Lover is also from a female perspective about a woman who demands equality. On the other hand, The Sick Rose shows an assault and destruction, telling of a secret love between man and women, possibly through rape or sexually transmitted diseases. Out of all the poems I read, the aspects of physical and spiritual relationships interest me the most because they provide diverse views towards love. Ballad which is a traditional song, of oral tradition, presents male courtship through the use of language, seasonal metaphors and through the story it tells. It is made up of quatrains, rhyming couplets and a refrain, the range of words which rhyme together emphasise the emotions and tone of the poem. Ballad is about a deceitful philanderer, who seeks a beautiful maid. The man gets the lady pregnant and, throughout the last few, we see how she wants to kill herself and the baby. The maid is the speaker of the story, which gives a female perspective, of the story and an insight into the consequences of courtship for the victim. The opening of the poem begins with the line A faithless shepherd courted me. The word faithless immediately tells us that the man is not committed. Furthermore it says, he stole away my liberty, the use of euphemism creating the impression that the man has stole her virginity and freedom. We later see that the liberty is her virginity and decorum. Therefore, this leaves the maid with no freedom, because in past times it was thought that a single mother was greatly detested and unlawful children were not respected. In addition the ending of stanza one reads: When my poor heart was strange to men, he came and smiled and stole it then. This illustrates a very naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve maiden, who seems very innocent. A calculated effect is gathered as he sees what shes like, and then he takes advantage of her. The repetition of the word and creates a very step by step calculation. In the second quatrain, the maid uses seasonal metaphors to show their happiness together; however, the second two lines of the quatrain, illustrates the shame of her pregnancy : When my apron would hang low, me he sought through frost and snow. : When it puckered up with shame, and I sought him, he never came. The opening line creates a picture that the maid is fine and slim, would hang low. The second line captures how he would only look after her when there was no responsibility. The use of a seasonal metaphor frost and snow shows the relationship between winter and sorrow. The third line gives the impression that she is pregnant; however, when she seeks him, hes not there. The maids pregnancy scare is euphemised by her apron puckering up. It also shows love can be shameful but also bring happiness. Stanza three brings back happiness as it says, When summer brought no fears to fright. She becomes joyful; again as she finds that her pregnancy was a scare and that she has no baby. The use of a seasonal metaphor clearly shows the relationship between joyfulness and the summer. It goes on to say how the man came to guard me every night. However, there is a major contrast when it says When winter nights did darkly prove, none came to guard me or to love. This shows how when shes pregnant, the man was not there. This gives the impression that he has run away. Referring back to the previous seasonal metaphor about summer, the winter is now associated with sorrow as the man has gone. The maid has been left alone in the cold, whilst pregnant. The seasonal imagery makes us feel more sorry for her. The beginning of the fourth quatrain, shows how the maid is feeling very regretful, I wish, I wish, but all in vain, I wish I was a maid again. The use of repetition shows a very apologetic maid who has lost her virginity and can never get it back. The end line of the stanza highlights that she wants to kill herself: O when will green grass cover me, this indicates that she wants to be buried under the green grass as she feels mortified. The following stanza reinforces her thoughts in stanza four, that she wants to die: I wish my sorrows all away my Soul with god, my body clay. This emphasises that she is very sad, and she wants to die, my body clay. We clearly see the promises the man made to the maid: He promised beds as fine as silk, and sheets for love as white as milk He promised her the world; however, he leaves her to want a bed of clay. This shows how she is left wanting a death bed, in contrast to the fine silk beds. The following stanza shows how the man is very uncaring towards her: He kept this sheep on yonder hill. His heart seemed soft but it was steel. this shows how he is weak soft on the inside; however, the use of antithesis, highlights how he promised a lot on the outside steel and also shows that he is very heartless. The maid highlights her regret about the relationship, O had I walked ere I did run. She implies that she should have walked slowly into the relationship, instead of rushing. Towards the end of the story, the poignant mood is reinforced: He has two hearts and I have none The contrast of having two hearts and none, illustrate how the man has taken her heart away from her. Furthermore, poignancy is shown through the use of diction, of sorrows in the time to come and Weeping on a strangers knee. The word, strangers knee implies that the father wont be there to care for them and the baby will be bought up by a stranger. The tenth stanza includes half-rhyme, brass-face, which emphasises the sorrow the lady is experiencing. The metaphor emphasises how she is feeling: My heart would break- but it is brass At the beginning of the poem the mans heart was steel; however, the maid now explains that the man has gone and she has hardened up inside, it is brass, and this implies that she is ready to kill herself as she is strong enough to do so. Furthermore, she says to see thee smile at words that be, the messengers of grief to me, which concludes that she decides to kill herself and the baby. In the final stanza there is a major contrast to the beginning as she says: Ive made thy pillow on a thorn Compared to the middle of the poem where it says Beds fine as silk, she know goes on to show how she is lying her head on thorns. The final two sentences illustrate that she is going to kill both her and her baby as the word our is repeated three times, possibly to reinforce her mind that both of them are going to die. Overall, the poem is a very universal one; to me the poem is about a betrayal in love. Though the poem includes physical relationship, the lady is disowned during her pregnancy and the results in a fatal ending of death. In contrast, To his Coy Mistress is about a speaker who attempts, through a seductive yet logical argument, to win over his coy lady. Whilst both poems To his Coy Mistress and Ballad highlight the underlying themes of love, time and death, in Ballad this is achieved through a series of seasonal metaphors, range of language and diction, whereas in To his Coy Mistress the use of rhyming couplets and a syllogistic argument help construct an argument for sex. At the start of the poem, the man tells the lady not to be shy: This coyness, lady, were no crime This shows how the man is trying to explain to the lady that, if they had more time in the world, it would be acceptable to be shy. He goes on to say that he imagines that they are separated by two rivers: Thou by the Indian Ganges side shouldst rubies find; I by the tide of Humber would complain.___________________________ The man goes on to express his feeling of having more eternity: My vegetable love should grow Vaster than empires and more slow. The use of erectile images clearly gives the picture that he has a growing love for the lady, and she is a natural vegetable waiting to be picked. On the other hand, this could also mean he is waiting to have sexual intercourse, as the lady has yet not picked his genitals, yet they are growing with love. The man also uses a persuasive technique to persuade the woman: Two hundred to adore each breast, the used of hyperbole two hundred, makes the lady feel even more beautiful and more confident of herself. Furthermore, he goes on to say how he has another side to him: And the last age should show your heart This word heart suggests that the man is convincing the lady that he is very romantic and not just sexual. In the second stanza, the man uses language which implies that they are getting older each day. The opening line of the second stanza reads But at my back I always hear, this shows it could be a possible turning point. Moreover, the man says Deserts of vast eternity, showing the lady that without her, his life is barren and desolate. Further on in the stanza, he explains how she will lose her virginity to worms: My echoing song; then worms shall try That long preservd virginity The word worms illustrates shocking imagery, and the two lines mock idealised romantic poetry. The third stanza, explains how the man trys to tell the lady to have sex now, whilst they still have time. The opening explains his feelings: Now therefore while the youthful hue The word youthful shows that they should have sex whilst they are young. The fourth line of the stanza shows that she is ready to have sex, At every pore with instant fires. The man further goes on to say that he and the lady should take advantage of the moment: Now let us sport while we may The word sport is used instead of sex, to show that sex can be fun and you dont have to be shy about it. He also uses a simile to show how they are loving birds, And now, like amorous birds of prey, amorous birds are associated as long; therefore, he compares him and the lady to loving birds. He continues to talk about time, Rather at once our time devour, he explains how they should make good use of the time. Towards the end of the poem he uses very passionate and energetic words: And tear our pleasure with rough strife Thorough the iron gates of life The words rough strife explain how joyful he is, and the words iron gates of life, show how passionate he is. The final two lines of the poem, show that the man wants to enjoy the time with the lady whilst they can: Thus, though we cannot make our sun Stand still, yet we will make him run The suttle pun suggests that they could have a baby. The word sun could possibly have two meanings of having a son or just that it is near the end of their life. Furthermore, the word run could mean that they will make their sun run. The rhyming couplets in the poem create a very upbeat and jaunty tone. We know that the man has constructed a very logical argument, because he uses words such as We could spend decades or even centuries in courtship if time stood still and we remained young., in addition, But time passes swiftly and relentlessly, Therefore, we must enjoy the pleasure of each other now, without further ado. We also know when the conclusion of the poem is because he uses words such as Now therefore, And now, and thus.

Students with Special Needs in the Language Classroom Essay examples --

Students with Special Needs in the Language Classroom Students that show the need for special education are those who have more difficulties that the rest of the students in understanding curriculum that is at their age level. Reasons for the difficulties could be the result of a series of internal causes or the result of an inadequate educational approach. To overcome these deficiencies, the student needs a series of conditions that offer special adaptations to ordinary curriculum, such as including a list of specific resources that the students can use that differ than those which the school offers on a daily basis. The language teacher has to pay special attention to the use of written and oral language in the foreign language in the classroom. There are effective motivation devices that, with correct use, help the slower learners include themselves in the progress of the class, as well as ensure that the gifted students do not lose time or get bored. There are also useful devices for those studetns with special needs; in carefully selected materials they can find the help necessary to reach the objectives layed out for their situation. The teacher should pull the maximum benefit from the interaction among students through performing and acting out role-plays, readings, recordings or songs, description of illustrations, photographs, etc. Also the teacher could find beneficial the oral comprehension exercises, in which the students must find some particular information. The teacher must consider that the student's learning difficulties mainly have interactive origins. This means that the difficulties depend as much on the student's own characteristics as on the environment in which the student de... ...rn themselves into investigators by reflecting on their own actions, primarily thinking about: * If they adapt the course contents to the levels of the students, with the lessons being taught more or less to the middle level of the group * If they teach specific lessons for students with special needs * If they apply the curriculum openly, concentrating on the students' interests * If they study at great length every situation that arises in the classroom * If continuous attention is given to diversity in curriculum diversivication programs * If the faculty's suport is necessary to carry out the personalized attention * If they use materials other than the textbook * If they look into psycho-pedagogical studies * If they carry out and use the results from the initial evaluation as an information source for future action

Chinese Mencius And Xunzi On Human Nature Essay

Mencius and Xunzi both follow Confucian philosophy yet have a dramatically different understanding of human nature. Additionally, the two philosophers make their arguments in strikingly different literary methods. Mencius believes that the â€Å"goodness of human nature is like the downward course of water† (147) in that people are naturally inclined to be good, and he makes this argument through conversations among friends and public figures. In contrast, Xunzi staunchly argues that â€Å"Human nature is evil† (179) and through essays claims that human nature’s only â€Å"goodness derives from the conscious activity† (179). The two philosophers both use many metaphors to explain their own interpretation of human nature in different ways. By exploring the philosophies of these two great Confucian thinkers, one better understands the multitude of ways human nature can be explained in Confucianism throughout Chinese history. As the â€Å"single most influential contributor to a view of human nature in Confucianized East Asia† (116), Mencius’ philosophy is fundamental. Mencius argues that human nature is good, and â€Å"ru† teachings furthered natural tendencies. To explain the natural goodness of human nature Mencius shows that â€Å"the goodness of human nature is like the downward course of water. † By this he claims, â€Å"there is no human being lacking in the tendency to do good, just as there is no water lacking in the tendency to flow downward† (147). Furthermore he counters the claim that water can be manipulated to go many directions by rationalizing that, â€Å"while people can be made to do what is not good, what happens to their nature is like this†(147). Overall, this metaphor is used to show that without manipulation or outside forces, people naturally want to do good things. 1 Additionally, Mencius asserts that the innate knowledge and ability, that of the child, is original and good due to the natural human tendency toward goodness. He explains that, â€Å"what people are able to do without having learned it is original, good ability. What they know without having to think about it is original, good knowledge† (156). Furthermore he gives the practical example that, â€Å"there are no young children who do not know to love their parents† (156). Another metaphor, that of the child falling into the well, advances the idea that this innate knowledge can be found in all people. Mencius explains that a man upon seeing a, â€Å"child falling in to a well, his mind would always be filled with alarm†therefore, â€Å"all human beings have a mind that cannot bear to see the sufferings of others (129). By claiming that a man can not help but feel this alarm naturally supports Mencius’ idea that by nature humans can not bear to see the suffering of other. Finally, Mencius uses the example of Ox Mountain, which was once beautifully covered in trees but is now bare to show the transformation of the outward appearance of human nature. Upon seeing, â€Å"this barrenness, people suppose that the mountain was never wooded. But how could this be the nature of the mountain? † (151). He asks. By this Mencius illustrates that one might suppose that a man never had the capacity for goodness just because he does not now follow the Way, however just as is the mountains nature to be wooded, it is man’s nature to be good. In contrast to Mencius optimistic thoughts on human nature, Xunzi argues that, â€Å"human nature is evil; its goodness derives from the conscious activity† (179). By this Xunzi means that human nature tends towards a â€Å"fondness for profit†¦envy and hate†¦ beautiful sights and sounds†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and â€Å"following human nature and indulging human emotions will inevitably lead to contention and strife† (180). Such a grim outlook on 2 human nature likely derives from the tremulous and violent time period in which he developed these philosophies. Xunzi’s journeys during the Warring States Period likely had an impact on his pessimistic stance on human nature. However, Xunzi explains that these low human desires can be and should be controlled and directed by means of ritual and teachings. He praises the value of teachers as a way of practicing virtue and claims, â€Å"one must be transformed by the example of a teacher and guided by the way of ritual and rightness before one will attain modestly and yielding, accord with refinement and ritual, and return to order† (180). Xunzi refutes the idea that ritual and rightness are part of human nature and instead are the result of activity through the metaphor of a potter and carpenter. Xunzi rationalizes, â€Å"a potter may mold clay and produce an earthen pot, but how could molding pots of clay be the potter’s nature? A carpenter may carve wood and produce utensils but how could carving utensils out of wood be the carpenter’s nature? † (182). In this metaphor Xunzi illustrates how rituals are the result of conscious activity, and these rituals â€Å"established models and limits in order to reform and improve the human emotional nature† (180). Without such limits to evil human nature, society would fall into chaos. Mencius, in each of his metaphors illustrates how human nature has a tendency to be good. In contrast Xunzi’s metaphors and explanations illustrate his claim that human nature is bad. Although these two thinkers differ greatly in philosophy, they share the idea that governance and personal cultivation have a close relationship. Mencius’ belief that human nature is good is related to his idea of proper governance. Leading by example allows people to follow the Way and to be in touch with their true human nature, and therefore Heaven. In contrast, Xunzi believes that evil human nature can be curbed and 3 directed through conscious activity and ritual so as to allow for order in government. Finally, the two, as â€Å"ru† thinkers, also believe in the ability of humans in general to aspire to higher personal cultivation. Mencius states, â€Å"if one does what is not good, that is not the fault of ones capacities† (149) and similarly Xunzi also claims, â€Å"The man on the street can become a Yu† (183) meaning any man on the street has the natural endowment needed to understand virtue.

The Grapes Of Wrath And Virginia Woolf s Mrs. Dalloway

The mid twentieth century represents a turbulent period of history in the western world- from the devastating effects of the Great Depression that began in 1929 to the bloodshed of World War II, people were forced to adapt to unfamiliar and changing circumstances. The effects of these events were especially felt in the United States and Britain, and the two countries set the scene for John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath and Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway. The Grapes of Wrath recounts the tale of the Joad family, farm owners who, after being forced off their land by big business, head west to California in search of work only to find discrimination and further hardship. Their story exemplifies the struggles faced by low-income families unequipped to deal with the changing reality of the American economy and reveals the nature of big business and unregulated capitalism. At first glance, it seems that Mrs. Dalloway tells a very different story. Clarissa Dalloway, a weal thy London woman, is spending her day planning one of her extravagant parties. Although its characters are not struggling to find their next meal, through a stream-of-consciousness style and an array of unique and complex characters the novel tackles many of the same problems seen in The Grapes of Wrath. As these two nations face and recover from their respective crises, Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath and Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway highlight the changing ways in which the American and British people interact with