I need to write a one page response to the following poem, answering "How persuasive is this poem? How powerful is its argument? Account for its effect."
I don't know where to begin because I don't understand the question. Any suggestions?
Promises Like Pie-Crust
Christian Rossetti
Promise me no promises,
So will I not promise you:
Keep we both our liberties,
Never false and never true:
Let us hold the die uncast,
Free to come as free to go:
For I cannot know your past,
And of mine what can you know?
You, so warm, may once have been
Warmer towards another one:
I, so cold, may once have seen
Sunlight, once have felt the sun:
Who shall show us if it was
Thus indeed in time of old?
Fades the image from the glass,
And the fortune is not told.
If you promised, you might grieve
For lost liberty again:
If I promised, I believe
I should fret to break the chain.
Let us be the friends we were,
Nothing more but nothing less:
Many thrive on frugal fare
Who would perish of excess.
The first two lines are like a thesis statement in an essay; they serve as the main idea, and all the rest of the poem is there to expand on why promises shouldn't be made.
Now read the rest of the poem in each two-line segment (couplet) and make sure you understand how each couplet reinforces the idea of the first two lines. Make notes to yourself as you go.
Once you have a clear idea of the structure of the poem (first couplet is thesis statement; other couplets are there to persuade the reader that the thesis is right), you can come to your conclusion. Did the poem persuade you that it's not a good idea to make promises? How did the poem do that? (Use the different couplets throughout the poem to prove your point.)
The last two couplets are the conclusion. Do they accurately reflect the point that the author intended to make?
To begin with, let's break down the question so we can understand it better. The question is asking you to analyze the persuasive power and effectiveness of the poem in presenting its argument. It also asks you to account for the poem's effect.
To analyze the persuasive aspect of the poem, start by considering the language, tone, and rhetorical devices used by the poet. Look for any persuasive techniques such as repetition, imagery, or emotional appeals that the poet employs to convince the reader of their viewpoint.
Next, consider the argument presented in the poem. What is the main point or idea being conveyed? Are there sub-arguments or supporting evidence within the poem that strengthen the primary argument? Consider whether or not the argument is convincing and effective based on your analysis of the poet's usage of persuasive techniques.
Lastly, account for the poem's effect on the reader. How did the poem make you feel? Did it evoke any emotional responses? Consider the tone, language, and imagery used and how they contribute to the overall effect of the poem. Also, think about whether the poem made you think differently or changed your perspective on the topic.
In your one-page response, you can structure your answer by addressing each part of the question separately. Begin with an introduction that briefly summarizes the poem and introduces your thesis statement about the poem's persuasiveness and argument. The body of your response should consist of paragraphs that analyze the poem's persuasiveness, argument, and effect, using specific examples from the text to support your points. Finally, conclude your response by summarizing your analysis and providing your overall assessment of the poem's persuasive power and effect.
Remember, when analyzing a poem or any other literary work, it's important to provide evidence from the text to support your claims. Quote specific lines or stanzas and explain how they contribute to the persuasiveness of the poem or its effect on the reader.