2 Module Study Questions
DIRECTIONS:
1. Save this assignment in either Word or Rich Text with the following
name: Your Last Name. First Name. SQ2.
2. Answer the questions following each poem and do not delete the
questions: (Type your answer in a color other than this bluewhich I
will use in my response to your work. Alternatively, you can bold the
answers, so that they are easily distinguishable from the questions.)
3. Answer each question fully with support. These are not short
answer questions. You are expected to elaborate and support your
responses.
4. Grading: The questions will be evaluated on the basis of the clarity
and completeness of your original response.
Unsupported
responses will not receive a high grade.
5. Note: Using literary analysis you found on the internet or some
other source in an assignment that requires your own original work
is a form of plagiarism.
(Before responding to these questions, read Tennyson/ Browning Reading
Notes carefully.)
Alfred Lord Tennyson: IN MEMORIAM
Poem 54
1.
In the first three stanzas, what does the speaker "trust" is true about life
and death? Support with specific examples.
Tennyson trusts that somehow good will be the final goal of ill,
that nothing walks with aimless feet and that not a worm is cloven
in vain. These stanzas shows Tennysons concerns that life not be
for nothing that we not part this world in vain. As in the stanza that
says, that not a moth with vain desire, is shrivelld in a fruitless
fire. Good reading of what he wants to believe.
2.
In the fifth stanza, what does he say about his ability to know what is true?
What does he compare himself to? Support with specific examples.
Tennyson compares himself to a child in the fifth stanza. He says,
but what am I? An infant crying in the night He says that while
he doesnt know anything, he trusts that good shall fall, for all and
that every winter will change to spring. I think he is trying to say
that while we dont know much, we do know that things can change,
like winter to spring.
The speaker hopes that all death is part of a bigger plan (that not a worm is
killed in vain) and that all death has a purpose that is grander than he can
see, but the comparison to the infant in the last stanza shows us that he
isnt at all sure of what he said earlier. He hopes this is true, but compares
himself to an infant who doesnt know anything.
Poem 55
1.
What does the speaker think about God and nature?
I think Tennyson feels that God and nature are at strife, as he states
in the second stanza, Are God and Nature then at strife, that
Nature lends such evil dreams? So careful of the type she seems, so
careless of the single life. It seems that Tennyson is concerned that
one person is not on the radar of Gods larger design. He is
disparaged that possibly his dear friend didnt matter to God, that no
man does. Very good reading.
The speaker is grappling here with the idea that God has a purpose for all
creatures, but nature seems to kill them off randomly (natural selection). If
he thinks that nature (not God) took Hallam, then perhaps he could sustain
his belief in a loving God. This line shows he is trying to work it out in his
mind by imagining a loving God at war with cruel nature.
2.
What scientific finding does Stanza 3 describe? Support.
Tennyson says her secret meaning in her deeds, and finding that of fifty
seeds, she often brings but one to bear. Tennyson was probably
speaking of Gods grander design and lack of concern for the individual;
out of 50 seeds, only one will germinate, leaving 49 to perish. This is the
seeing the forest and not the trees. I think Tennyson found this very
disheartening and was very melancholy about his faith, due to his scientific
nature. He couldnt touch faith, he could however, touch death. Good.
This seems to be a direct reference to survival of the fittest, or natural
selection. Darwin did his research during this period, and while it was not
published yet, Tennyson had read it. The research showed that in nature,
only the strong survive of the 50 seeds, only the hardiest one will grow.
Tennyson is considering the idea that his friend Hallom might been a
weak seed in this scientific explanation of natural selection. Death is just
nature killing off the weakest with no real plan. (Note how different that
idea is than the one he would like to believe in Poem 54.)
3.
In stanzas four and five what has this new scientific knowledge (and a
death he does not understand) done to the speakers faith? Pick out the
words and phrases that show this?
Again, I believe that Tennyson sees that God is more concerned with
the grand design and not with the individual. This realization
waivers his faith good reading and can be seen in his choice of
words, I stretch lame hands of faithfaintly trust the larger
hope. Tennyson seems to question whether his religious beliefs
have failed him in his death, as and call, to what I feel is Lord of
all, and faintly trust the larger hope. Again, I think Tennysons
scientific interests made it hard for him to reconcile his emotions
and beliefs. He wasnt able to see past what he could touch, what he
could believe in. at this point, thats right.
Poem 56
1.
Is nature careful of the species?
types?
What has geology revealed about
No, I do not believe that nature is careful of the species. Tennyson says,
So careful of the type? but no. From scrapped cliff and quarried stone,
she cries, A thousand types are gone: I care for nothing, all shall go.
Geology reveals there are thousands of types and Tennysons poem
addresses that nature brings to life and brings to death. Also, as in our
reading notes, he speaks of being blown about the dessert dust or sealed
within the iron hills. Very good. 56: Tennyson is probably referring to
the fact that fossils in cliffs show that many species are extinct.
2.
What does the speaker fear will happen to man?
I think the speaker feels that man will fade away like one of the types
referenced in a previous stanza. The speaker says, and he, shall he,
Man, her last work, who seemd so fairand love creations final law
which seems to me that the last law would be death. (Will man be blown
around the desert as dust like other extinct species?)
3.
In stanzas three through six, the speaker describes man in two different
ways. What are the two ways? Support.
The speaker describes man in two different ways, I think first is the
believer who trusted God was loved indeed and then the speaker
talks about the opposite, No more? A monster then, a dream, a
discord. Dragons of the prime, that tare each other in their slime I
think the second is the man who does not trust God. Perhaps.
First, man is described as natures finest creation, fair and purposeful, then
as a monster, more violent and dangerous than a dragon. Tennyson
considers surely God would not let such evolved creatures die out, but
then he remembers all the bloody wars that man has instigated and all the
destruction much worse than any other animal (dragons in their prime
were mellow music compared to man and thinks, Why would God save
man? Were more violent than any other animal.
4.
In the last stanza how strong is the speakers faith?
examples.
Who do you think thy voice refers to?
Support with
I think the speaker feels removed from his faith. He speaks of the
futility and frailness of man and thy voice to soothe and bless
which I feel thy voice is the voice of God. Or perhaps his friend
Hallam. I think the speaker further expresses his disconnection by
saying what hope of answer, or redress? Behind the vail, behind
the vail. It seems like the speaker feels he may not get an answer,
even though he is asking for an answer or a redress, just something,
anything. Very good. His faith is weak at this point.
Poem 124
1.
How did the speaker regain his faith? Support.
I think Tennyson regained faith his in his own time of the grief
process. If eer when faith had falln asleep, I heard a voice believe
no more but then Tennyson says, a warmth within the breast
would melt, the freezing reasons colder part, and like a man in wrath
the heart, stood up and answerd I have felt. I think he moved
through his grief and regained his faith. I do too. Well supported.
2.
Compare the infant in the last stanza of Poem 54 to the child in the fifth
stanza of Poem 124. How different does he feel?
I think Tennyson in the last stanza of Poem 54 is referring to an
infant that is left alone in its crib, not knowing what is out there,
innocent and abandoned. The child in the fifth stanza of Poem 124 is
one that is crying, knowing who his father is and having knowledge,
less innocence and not abandoned, but more wise. Quite a constrast
of images.
3. Compare the image of "hands" in the last stanza to the image of speakers
"hands" in the last stanza of Poem 55, p. 1147. What does that say about
how he regained his faith?
In the last stanza of Poem 55, Tennyson is stretching his hands of
faith, not knowing what is there, blindly reaching. But, in the last
stanza of Poem 124, he is speaks of the hands of God, reaching out
to comfort and hold his child. I think Tennyson is trying show the
journey of not having faith, believing that God does not see the seed,
but instead sees the forest; to a place where he now appreciates the
coddling and nurturing care of the individuals grief and renewed life.
Excellent reading of In Memoriam. You have a firm grasp of Tennysons
journey from growing doubt back to faith and supported your readings
quite well with references to the literature.
Tennyson: Crossing the Bar
Tennyson wrote this poem three years before his death and requested that
it be published last in any anthology of his works. It shows the spiritual
attitude he held after his years of doubting.
What is the speaker's attitude toward death and what does he think will
happen after death? Support with detail from the poem.
I believe that Tennysons attitude towards death is respectful and he
wishes his to be without all the pomp and circumstance. This can be
seen in the line, and may there be no moaning of the bar, when I put
out to see and also, and may there be no sadness or farewell,
when I embark. As for what Tennyson thinks will happen after death, I
think this can be seen in the last stanza of the poem, For though
from out our bourne of Time and Place, the flood may bear me far, I
hope to see my Pilot face to face, when I have crossed the bar.
Tennyson is speaking of his hopes of meeting God once he passes.
Very good reading. While this poem a very strong statement of faith and
acceptance , note that Tennyson says, I hope, not I will see God. He is
not as sure at his most faithful as Browning who wrote: Gods in his
heaven; alls right with the world. However, for Tennyson, it is a strong
statement of his belief that he will most likely see his pilot after death and
shows quite a contrast to his earlier distress at not being able to see
beyond the veil.
Robert Browning: Prospice
Robert Browning was the poet who romanced and wed Elizabeth Barrett
Browning. After a fifteen year marriage, she died in Italy and this poem
was written the same year she died.
1. What is the speakers attitude toward Death? Support?
I feel the Brownings attitude towards death is one of fearlessness. It
sounds as if he wants to face death head on, to experience it. This
can be seen in the line, I would hate that Death bandaged my eyes
and forbore, and made me creep past, No! Let me taste the whole of
it, fare like my peers, the heroes of old I dare say he may even
welcome it as a warrior to battle.
2. What does the speaker imagine death will be like? (Lines 18-end) (Note
that there are several stages described; please explain all of them.)
I think Browning imagines death will come in stages and again, is
fought like a battle. He first mentions the act of being faced with
death, Bear the brunt, in a minute pay glad lifes arrears, of pain,
darkness and cold, for sudden the worst turns the best to brave its
time to ante up, Death is here. Then, the act of dying, the black
minutes at end, and the elements rage, the fiend voices that rave,
shall dwindle, shall blend the voices of those you love, that you are
leaving, will quiet and you will start to hear the voices of those on the
other side guiding you home. Then there is the crossover, shall
change, shall become first a peace out of pain, then a light, them thy
breast And finally, you are in Heaven, with those you love, those
you expect to see, O thou soul of my soul! I shall clasp thee
again, and with God be the rest! excellent detailed analysis. I like
how carefully youre supporting your readings.
3. Do you think Brownings faith will help him in grieving her death? What
does he imagine an afterlife to be like? Support.
Absolutely I believe Brownings faith will help in grieving her death. I
wish in my own grief of loosing someone special, that I had that faith
of knowing, of believing. I didnt at first, in the early stages of grief, I
do now. Browning, like so many others, saw death as temporary. He
believed that she would be waiting for him on the other side. I
remember so many people saying to me Dont be sad, you will see
him again, he has gone home, and he is the lucky one. I didnt see
it like that, Browning did. He knew he would go to Heaven and see
her and all those who went before him. That would be a comforting
thought.
4. Compare Brownings reaction to the death of a loved one to Tennysons in
In Memoriam. Which of the two do you think you would be most like in a
similar situation? Please explain.
Comparing Brownings reaction to death of loved one to Tennysons
is very easy to do. Brownings faith never wavered, he bid farewell
temporarily to his wife, knowing he would see her again in his
afterlife. Tennysons faith waivered and he wasnt sure what would
happen, but Tennyson was a scientist (Tennyson was not a scientist,
but an educated man who knew about the scientific discoveries of
his day and like many Victorians questioned his beliefs) and I think it
was hard for him to believe in something he couldnt touch or
see in his world. But, I think Tennyson found his faith again
through is grief. He was angry, he was sad, he was doubtful, but
then he was awakened, renewed and encouraged. I have been
through a similar event in my life and responded just like Tennyson.
I was upset, angry, doubtful and not sure what to expect of where my
friend who passed had gone, if I would ever see him again. But then,
I went through my grief process and surprisingly, found peace. I
rediscovered my faith and was able to believe that I would in fact see
him again, that I would in fact see Heaven myself. Very much like
Tennysons journey through grief to acceptance and peace. I
certainly can respect, admire and empathize with Tennysons
journey over the loss of Hallam. Tennyson says it best, and what
I am beheld again, what is, and no man understands, and out of
darkness came the hands, that reach thro nature, moulding men.
Save this document as: Last Name, First Name. SQ2 in Word or Rich Text
Format before you submit it.
Bryan,
Excellent work. You are working hard to understand each poem and doing
a beautiful job of it.
It is a complete pleasure to read your work. You read so well, support what
you say and then elaborate with real searching thought. I hope you are
saving all this work so that you can go back and read what you wrote
later
My comments were written in blue, but if they appear red when you click on
your graded paper, click on Tools and then Track Changes and change the
color to blue. Most computers are set on red by default, but that color is
not the best psychologically for receiving feedback.
Peace,
Rica
30+