Poem analysis on Emily Dickinson, homework help

Assignment Instructions:

For this assignment, choose one of the following American poets and one of their poems for study and

analysis:

• Emily Dickinson (pp. 627-665)

• Robert Frost (pp. 666-699)

• Langston Hughes (pp. 700-735)

After reading the background information on your chosen poet, choose the poem you want to analyze

within the poet’s section in DiYanni and write a 2-3 page essay that answers ONE of the following

prompts:

1. Discuss the values exemplified in the poem. Consider, that is, the cultural, moral, social, or ethical

norms that either appear explicitly in the poem or are implied by it. Identify those values, relate them

to your own, and comment on their significance. See Chapter 10 (pages 501-504) of Literature by

DiYanni for more information.

2. Analyze the elements (imagery, diction, symbolism, rhyme, etc.) of the poem. How do these poetic

elements create and convey the poem’s theme (or themes)? In other words, what is the point of the

poem, and how does the author utilize the various poetic elements to get his point across? Be specific.

See Chapter 12 of Literature by DiYanni for more information about the elements of poetry.

3. Consider the historical and social context of the poem. How did the poet work within and/or against

the prevailing social attitudes, moral beliefs, or cultural dispositions of his or her time? See Chapter

31 (pages 1565-1567) of Literature by DiYanni for more information.

See Chapters 10-13 of Literature by DiYanni for more information on reading and writing about poetry.

Grading:

Write a structured, organized essay with a clear thesis statement; paragraphs with unity,

development, and coherence; an engaging introduction; and an effective conclusion that reiterates

your main points. In other words, write a strong, detailed essay about the poem you choose to discuss.

Revise and edit your paper thoroughly before turning it in.

Remember, also, to use quotes and otherwise reference your poem, and be sure to cite any outside

sources that you reference with both in-text citations and reference page citations. Failure to cite

properly is considered plagiarism, a serious academic offense with severe penalties (as discussed in