What does the poem "Students" by Tom Wayman mean? I don't understand what the opening lines/sentence means- someone explain? I also don't see the irony of the last stanza either. How is it ironic? I know that it basically shows Wayman and his attempt for teaching students the importance of knowledge and process, but the studentsonly care about the final mark and results.

Perhaps this will help:

http://resource2.rockyview.ab.ca/ela301/keys/students_key.pdf

The irony in the last stanza is apparent: the teacher wants to impart knowledge, but the students are only worried about the grade: the heck with learning anything.

To understand the meaning of the poem "Students" by Tom Wayman, we need to analyze its content and literary devices. Let's start with the opening lines/sentence:

"Fish swim, birds fly,
Students sit, write, and sigh."

In these lines, Wayman employs a simple and concise statement contrasting the natural behavior of fish and birds with the actions of students. The comparison evokes a sense of restriction and passivity, suggesting that students, unlike fish and birds, are constrained in their movements and activities. By using this contrast, Wayman highlights the monotonous and expected routines of student life, which often involve sitting, writing, and expressing frustration.

Moving on to the irony in the last stanza, it becomes evident when we examine Wayman's intention to teach the importance of knowledge and the process of learning. While he endeavors to instill this message, the students seem more focused on the final mark and tangible results. The irony lies in the fact that despite Wayman's efforts to emphasize the value of learning, the students prioritize grades above all else. Consequently, they miss the essence of education, which is the acquisition and growth of knowledge.

To fully grasp the irony, consider the repeated phrase "Marks become ashes." It symbolizes the transient nature of grades compared to the lasting significance of genuinely understanding and internalizing information. The irony is that while Wayman urges students to appreciate the journey of learning, they remain fixated on the outcome, disregarding the broader perspective that education should offer.

To summarize, the opening lines of the poem emphasize the routine and passivity of student life. The irony in the last stanza stems from Wayman's teaching efforts focusing on the importance of knowledge and process, while the students prioritize final grades and results. The irony lies in their failure to recognize the transient nature of grades compared to the lasting value of genuine learning.

To understand the meaning of the poem "Students" by Tom Wayman, let's break it down step-by-step:

1. Opening lines/sentence: The poem begins with the lines, "The poem is a student. The poem is a teacher." These lines establish a metaphorical connection between the students and the poem itself. It suggests that the poem is a reflection of the students' mindset and behaviors.

2. Overall theme: The poem aims to critique the education system and the students' approach to learning. It highlights the tension between the importance of knowledge and the students' preoccupation with grades and results.

3. Irony in the last stanza: In the last stanza, Wayman describes how he teaches students about the value of research, process, and acquiring knowledge. However, he realizes that at the end of the class, the students are only concerned about their grades and how they perform in standardized tests.

The irony lies in the fact that despite the efforts of the teacher (Wayman) to communicate the importance of the learning process, the students only focus on the final grade or result. This ironic contrast emphasizes the disconnect between the ideal of education as a journey of acquisition and growth and the reality of students' obsession with the end outcome.

In summary, the poem "Students" by Tom Wayman reflects on the importance of knowledge and the process of learning. It highlights the irony in how students prioritize grades and results over the value of acquiring knowledge, as well as the frustration experienced by the teacher in attempting to teach them otherwise.