Could you help me answer these questions using William Cullen Bryant's poem, "The Prairies?" Thank you so much! I've attached a link to the poem. The poem text is widely available online if you just google the title/author
Here are the questions I am struggling with. I have tried my best to answer the ones I know but I am confused.
1. The words undulations (7), swell (8), and billows (9) are part of what analogy? How does the comparison work?
2. What question does the speaker ask of the southern winds?
3. Who, according to the speaker, is responsible for “this glorious work” (24)?
4. Why do “the great heavens seem to stoop down” (32) toward the prairies—figuratively and literally?
5. Why does the speaker fear his horse’s footsteps are “sacrilegious” (38)?
6. What answer does the speaker get from the “mighty mounds” (42)?
7. How, according to the speaker, does the “populous race” (46) compare with the Greeks?
8. Who caused the “mound-builders [to] vanish[ ] from the earth” (60)?
9. Why did the “solitary fugitive” (75) come out of hiding?
10. What action(s) manifest the “better nature” (79) of the “rude conquerors” (80)?
11. What action seems to belie the speaker’s claim that the fugitive “ne’er forgot,—the wife/Of his first love” (83-4)?
12. Explain the following statement, and, in particular, the phrase quickening breath:
…Thus arise
Races of living things, glorious in strength,
And perish, as the quickening breath of God
Fills them, or is withdrawn. (86-89)
13. What three types of beings have left the prairie for lands to the west?
14. Why is the “bee,/A more adventurous colonist than man” (109-110)?
15. Who are the “advancing multitude” (116)? What attributes does the speaker ascribe to them?
16. What is the “dream” (123) the wind “breaks” (123)?
17. What attitude does Bryant convey toward wilderness? toward solitude?
You're expecting someone to read this long poem and then do your work for you??
You post what YOU THINK, and someone here may be able to help.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-prairies/
1. The words "undulations," "swell," and "billows" are part of the analogy that compares the prairies to the ocean. The undulating landscape of the prairies is likened to the rolling waves of the sea. The comparison works by emphasizing the vastness and grandeur of the prairies, as well as their rhythmic movement and immensity.
2. The speaker asks the southern winds, "Art thou the hawk of the wind, / That from heaven, or near it, / Pourest thy strength upon the unyielding prairie" (13-15). The speaker is questioning if the winds possess the fierce strength and power of a hawk, as they sweep across the unyielding prairie.
3. According to the speaker, "Nature" is responsible for "this glorious work" (24). The speaker attributes the creation and beauty of the prairies to the forces of nature.
4. The phrase "the great heavens seem to stoop down" (32) describes the prairies figuratively and literally. Figuratively, it implies that the vastness of the prairies gives the impression that the sky is lowering itself to meet the land. Literally, it refers to the vast open sky that stretches above the prairies, creating a sense of awe and wonder.
5. The speaker fears his horse's footsteps are "sacrilegious" (38) because he believes the prairies have a sacred and untouched quality. The vastness and beauty of the prairies evoke a sense of reverence and awe, and the speaker feels that any intrusion upon this pristine landscape is sacrilegious.
6. The "mighty mounds" (42) give the speaker the answer that they are the remains of a vanished race of people. While the exact meaning of the answer is not explicitly stated in the poem, it implies that the mounds are remnants of an ancient civilization that has disappeared over time.
7. According to the speaker, the "populous race" (46) of the New World, who inhabit the prairies, are compared favorably to the ancient Greeks. The speaker suggests that the "populous race" possesses similar virtues, greatness, and potential for cultural achievement as the Greeks.
8. The poem does not explicitly state who caused the "mound-builders [to] vanish[ ] from the earth" (60). However, it is implied that they disappeared over time as the speaker reflects on their vanished civilization.
9. The "solitary fugitive" (75) comes out of hiding because he is drawn to the prairies and feels a sense of belonging and connection to this vast, open landscape.
10. The actions that manifest the "better nature" (79) of the "rude conquerors" (80) are not explicitly stated in the poem. However, the speaker suggests that despite the conquest and displacement of the Native Americans, they still exhibit qualities of compassion and kindness toward the fugitives who seek asylum on the prairies.
11. The action that seems to belie the speaker's claim about the fugitive's remembrance of his first love is that he moved on and remarried. Despite the speaker's claim, the fugitive's ability to form a new relationship suggests that he has moved forward in his life.
12. In this statement, the phrase "quickening breath" is a metaphor referring to the life-giving force or spirit of God. The speaker explains that living things arise and flourish when filled with this divine breath, but they also perish when it is withdrawn. It highlights the transient nature of life and the dependency of living beings on the sustaining force of God.
13. The three types of beings that have left the prairie for lands to the west are the Native Americans (the Red man), the bison (the buffalo), and the birds (the crane).
14. The bee is described as a more adventurous colonist than man because it is willing to explore and establish new colonies in unknown territories. Bees are known for their industriousness and ability to adapt to new environments more readily than humans.
15. The "advancing multitude" (116) refers to the pioneers or settlers who are moving westward across the prairie. The speaker ascribes to them attributes such as strength, bravery, resourcefulness, and a spirit of exploration.
16. The "dream" (123) the wind "breaks" (123) is not explicitly specified in the poem. However, the line implies that the wind disrupts or interrupts a peaceful and harmonious state of being.
17. Bryant conveys a positive attitude toward wilderness, emphasizing its beauty, grandeur, and the awe it evokes. He praises the untouched and unspoiled aspects of nature found in the prairies. As for solitude, the poem suggests that it can be a source of solace and connection with the natural world. It is portrayed as a refreshing and meditative state that allows one to appreciate the majesty of the prairies.
1. The words "undulations," "swell," and "billows" are part of the analogy comparing the prairie to the ocean. This analogy works by highlighting the similarity in movement and vastness between the expansive prairie landscape and the rolling waves of the ocean. The undulating, swelling, and billowing of the prairie grasses mimic the rippling motion of the sea.
To find the answer to this question, you can look for references to the ocean or the sea in William Cullen Bryant's poem "The Prairies." Pay attention to any descriptions of the prairie landscape that evoke the image of waves or mention the words "undulations," "swell," or "billows."
2. To find the question that the speaker asks of the southern winds, you can read through the poem and look for lines that mention the southern winds or indicate a question being asked. Look for lines that specifically address or evoke the imagery of the winds.
3. According to the speaker in the poem, "this glorious work" of the prairies is attributed to God or a Divine Being. Look for any references to a higher power, creator, or divine entity in the poem to find the answer.
4. To understand why the "great heavens seem to stoop down" toward the prairies, you can analyze the figurative and literal meaning behind this phrase. Look for lines or descriptions in the poem that explain why the speaker perceives this stooping down of the heavens and how it relates to the prairies.
5. The speaker expresses the fear that their horse's footsteps are sacrilegious because the prairies are described as a sacred and pristine space. The speaker wants to show reverence and respect for the natural beauty of the prairies and feels that their horse's intrusion disrupts the divine harmony of the landscape. Look for lines or descriptions in the poem that convey this fear or the sacredness of the prairies.
6. The answer the speaker receives from the "mighty mounds" is not explicitly mentioned in the question. To find the answer, look for sections of the poem that mention the mounds and describe any answers or information that the speaker receives from them.
7. According to the speaker, the "populous race" (referring to people living on the prairies) is compared favorably to the Greeks. Look for lines or descriptions in the poem that compare the people on the prairies with the Greeks and explain how the speaker views this comparison.
8. The poem does not explicitly state who caused the mound-builders to vanish from the earth. To answer this question, you can look for any references or explanations in the poem about the disappearance of the mound-builders and infer who or what might have caused their disappearance based on the context provided.
9. The poem does not explicitly state why the "solitary fugitive" came out of hiding. To find the answer, look for any hints, suggestions, or explanations in the poem that may indicate why the fugitive chose to reveal themselves.
10. The actions that manifest the "better nature" of the "rude conquerors" are not explicitly mentioned in the question. To answer this question, look for lines or descriptions in the poem that portray the actions of the conquerors and explain how these actions demonstrate their "better nature."
11. The actions that seem to belie the speaker's claim about the fugitive's remembrance of the wife are not explicitly mentioned in the question. To answer this question, you can look for lines or descriptions in the poem that contradict or challenge the idea that the fugitive never forgot the wife of his first love.
12. The statement about races of living things arising, being filled with the quickening breath of God, and perishing refers to the cycle of life and death in nature. The phrase "quickening breath" represents the life-giving force of God or nature that animates and sustains living beings. When this breath is filled or withdrawn, it determines the life and death of creatures. Pay attention to any sections of the poem that discuss the creation, existence, and mortality of living things.
13. To find the three types of beings that have left the prairie for lands to the west, look for sections of the poem that mention the departure or migration of different creatures or beings from the prairie. Pay attention to any references to specific types of animals, plants, or people moving away from the prairie.
14. The poem describes the bee as a more adventurous colonist than man because bees have a natural instinct to explore and colonize new territories. Unlike humans, who often hesitate or fear venturing into unknown lands, bees are driven by their instinct to seek out new sources of nectar and establish hives in various locations. Look for lines or descriptions in the poem that explain or compare the adventurous nature of bees with humans.
15. The "advancing multitude" referred to in the poem may vary. To find their identity and attributes, look for lines or descriptions in the poem that mention a group of beings or people advancing or moving forward. Pay attention to any characteristics or qualities attributed to them by the speaker.
16. The specific dream that the wind "breaks" is not mentioned in the question. To find the answer, look for lines or descriptions in the poem that discuss dreams, the wind's actions, and how these dreams are interrupted or disrupted.
17. To determine the attitude that Bryant conveys toward wilderness and solitude, you can analyze the tone, language, and descriptions used throughout the poem. Look for lines or passages that express the speaker's emotions, thoughts, or opinions about the wilderness and solitude. Pay attention to any positive or negative connotations associated with these concepts.