Both poems have multiple interpretations but lead to the same point. In “Mother to Son” Hughes says “Life for me ain’t been no crystal staircase […] but all the time I’se been a-climbin’ on […] and sometimes goin’ in the dark where there ain’t been no light.” (Lines 2, 8-9) This quote demonstrates how life isn’t easy and things will get harder along the way but that doesn’t mean to give up. It also demonstrates how there are some things you didn’t imagine yourself doing but you had to in order to get to where you want to be in life. You’re going to have to do things in life that you haven’t done before so don’t be afraid to try. A failure only fails when he doesn’t try.
The narrator explains in the first line that he “may cease to be” and rushes to include he is afraid to die “before [his] pen has glean’d [his] teeming brain”. It almost seems as though Keats was unable to fit his ideas neatly into spaced lines, with punctuation marks because he is afraid to lose valuable time while he is still living. In Longfellow’s poem, however, pauses, punctuation and composition of multiple sentences produce a relaxed tone and overall feel of the poem. The poem is filled with caesuras that decrease the entire speed of the poem. “Half of my life is gone,” the comma allows for a pause and a deep breath to continue on to say “and I have let the years slip from me”.
Even though both Jefferson and Grant Wiggins learned a good lesson, I felt that Grant was the one that had learn much more. Jefferson was just not open to his family members and those close to him, but had either recorded or kept his feelings inside. When he actually expressed his sadness and frustration to people, I guess some people would classify that as a big lesson learned, but I think Grant went through some major change. Grant had first felt that there was no point in his lifestyle. Why was he living like this?
That void in my life is no longer there once I finish that book; the book has given me a concrete story to hold on to and understand and remember forever. On the other hand, there are so many aspects of our lives that are uncertain and not there forever. A recent friend’s brother suddenly and unexpectedly passed away, making me realize that my own sister could be gone in an instant if she is not careful. Although I know that if she were to pass away a huge part of my life and heart would die with her, my identity would be the same. Her passing would shape my identity, just as her life has, but in no way is she a percentage of my identity.
This is an important message the poem has reminded me of. Emotionally, there are times when I just give up, but this poem gave me the inspiration to not think this way because there are various of ways to overcome the obstacles life has randomly prepared for us. The wall is an assertive symbol expressing the challenging obstacles hindering our lives, but like the poem says, we can persistently push through like a flying helicopter or find passages under the wall. Life is full of walls that seem to not budge, but when work hard to pass the obstacle, we will know that we have succeeded and that is the greatest present life can give us. Whether I lost hope or just gave up, “Where there's a wall” reminds me to persevere no matter what by becoming a rocket shooting over the wall or tying SOS letter to a bird or even exploding like a bomb.
But yet again it comes to the point of him writing something meaningful and something that will make him regret what he has done. I say that the only reason every letter should be meaningful is because he could be writing anything he wants just to avoid further punishment. Part of me agrees with the punishment because no one can tell if he is writing the truth about how he feels except for him. Also, the fact that the family doesn’t say anything about him being punished more makes me believe that they are satisfied with the punishment. If Andrew is being honest about what he is writing then it is a
Alex Wagner Hobbs ENC1101 1 October 2014 Summary and Personal Perspective Essay “In response he expected us to play the part of an enthusiastic family, but we were unwilling to resume our old roles” (44). In life, unreliable people surround us. These people often break promises, bringing disappointment to others. Sometimes the undependable person may not realize the disappointment the empty promises bring to others. Like in the quote from “The Ship Shape” by David Sedaris, the father expected the family to be excited about the promises, but instead they were disappointed because they had been let down numerous times.
These words are also very encouraging and eye-opening to me because I used to think the emotions described were a sign that I was not truly a writer. It is refreshing and comforting to know that even a successful novelist such as Waters experiences the doubt, fear, and strain that I feel when writing. This statement discredits the idea that writing is always fun and free-flowing. I feel like I can now, after reading this, write with a little more confidence because I know there are others out there—groaning, wondering, and panicking—just like
The importance of companionship is shown by the characters with companions having different personalities than those without. “He won’t do it,” Lennie cried. “George wouldn’t do nothing like that. I been with George a long time. He’ll come back tonight.” But the doubt was too much for him.
I was sad and depressed. It was one of the worst feelings leaving my girl and son behind, but deep down I knew it was right. I had to do what I had to do, and I couldn’t let anything get in the way of my goals for me or my family. I knew that everything would work out impeccably in the end, because everything happens for a reason. Will Demps also writes in his essay titled “Groupie Love” that he removes himself from temptation by surrounding himself with like minded players.