2008 AP LIT FREE RESPONSE: Section II, Question One In both poems “When I Have Fears” by John Keats, and “Mezzo Cammin” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, both narrators expose their unfulfilled aspirations with the underlying fear that death will soon approach. Keats explains how his career as a famous, credited author has not yet been fulfilled, and fears that he will not live long enough to do so. Conversely, Longfellow looks back on his past slightly disappointed, but assured that he has the latter half of his life to accomplish his objectives and goals. Longfellow is dismal and terrified of death, while Keats comes to realize that his dreams are infinitesimal in the grand scheme of things, and any life lived is a gift that will eventually succumb to death. Keats’ poem is one extensive run-on sentence that truly “runs” across the page.
Dickinson’s Because I could not stop for death and Dylan Thomas’s do not go gentle into that good night both demonstrate the nature of death, however Dickinson explores the appreciation for life and abruptness of death, while Thomas contends death by showing remorse for death. Lit elements. Dylan Thomas poetry was written when his father fell ill and was on the verge of death. Two phrases that are mentioned throughout the tercets are “rage rage against the dying of the light.” and “ do not go gentle into that good night”. They are both similar in meaning to fight against death.
Edgar Allan Poe’s life was filled with many tragedies which heavily influenced his most popular work from the Gothic genre. It all began at the ripe age of two, when Edgar’s mother died of tuberculosis, causing himself and his brother and sister to be orphaned. The three children were split apart, and Edgar was taken into the foster home of John Allan and Frances Keeling Valentine Allan. Each parent provided a different experience for Poe; his foster father was an abusive alcoholic, while his foster mother would educate and try protecting him from her husband when possible. The death of his foster mother was very difficult for him to handle, and he enlisted himself in the army to get away from the abuse at his foster home.
Cabrera, 1 Hannah Cabrera Block 4 Awp 9/21/11 Life Death is only the beginning. In “The Epic of Gilgamesh”, translated by Stephen Mitchell, the meaning of life is mainly death. Gilgamesh goes searching for eternal life and discovers something better the meaning of life, in “The Epic of Gilgamesh” the book portrays the meaning of life to be that death is inevitable. The thought that life can be restored after death leads Gilgamesh into the quest for everlasting life. For an example, when Gilgamesh’s friend Enkidu dies he is left broken hearted and thinks, “If my grief is violent enough perhaps he will come back to life” (Mitchell, 445).
The first line of the first stanza, the speaker begins by stating, “Abortion will not let you forget.” This statement catches the eye with powerful words and a strong presence. The mother is being haunted by her past abortions, not wanting to feel the pain. An example is shown in lines eleven and twelve: "I have heard in the voices of the wind the voices of my dim killed/children" (ll. 11-12). The mother feels heartache and sorrow about what she did because she knows her mistake will be with her for the rest of her life.
In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein is first depicted as a hero that turns tragic due to his own detrimental flaws. Victor’s demise began when his mother died while trying to nurture Elizabeth back to health. Due to his need for an escape, Victor turns to his fascination with nature. He feels trapped in his tragic, monotonous life and craves the feeling of living again. Seen first as a genius of science, Victor is loved by others only for him to turn around and become the cause of suffering for nearly every character.
Kate Chopin’s short story, “The Story of an Hour” portrays how human’s deal with one of the inevitabilities of life: death. Through the characters, Chopin portrays the different approaches to dealing with grief caused by the death of a loved one. The story revolves around the ailing Mrs. Louise Mallard and the way she deals with the news of the husband’s death. Even though Mrs. Mallard seems like a round character, overall, it seems that the writer portrays Mrs. Mallard as a dynamic character. Through the struggles of this character, the reader experiences the different stages of grieving and the ultimate cost of heartbreak.
Even though he was alive, his friend, the “Chief”, did not want to see him in the state that he was in and decided to euthanize him. That was the end of Randle McMurphy. Ever since McMurphy was sent to the mental institution, his life slowly became a tragedy. The film itself portrayed McMurphy as the tragic hero. The entire plot revolved around him and his life.
It reveals that her son was killed at war and that she is unable to surpass through her grief. It shows that she is so overcome by her grief that she is unable to act normally in social situations and that everything she sees, she somehow links it back to her dead son. It is Coral’s delusion that has led her to be very perceptive. Her yearning in Act 1 scene 3 is almost palpable. She is about to break.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” is a dispirited short story that follows the first person account of a female protagonist who suffers from postpartum depression. The protagonist in “The Yellow Wallpaper” is having her illness treated by her husband John, who is a physician. Unfortunately, John’s treatment is having a negative effect on his wife. Perkins Gilman’s usage of symbolism shows various forms of imagery throughout “The Yellow Wallpaper”. The protagonist’s husband’s treatment plan along with the environment that the protagonist is forced to live in shows ironic imagery and anguishing imagery, the yellow wallpaper that surrounds the room is used to show jailhouse imagery, and the windows and the bed are used to show confinement imagery.