Your response should include the following to receive the points in parentheses: Respond in one or two paragraphs. Answer is written in complete sentences.Choose one of the following two prompts:“I am a citizen of the world” is a key line in the story “When Greek Meets Greek.” Compare and contrast how this line relates to the events of "When Greek Meets Greek" and another selection in this unit.The poems in this unit share a theme of love—love of self, love of family, love of country, and love of a significant other. After deciding what kind of love is being addressed in each poem, compare and contrast how two of the poems treat the subject of love. Provide sensory details that the poets use to support your examples.
In "When Greek Meets Greek," the line "I am a citizen of the world" reflects the protagonist's outlook on life and his ability to navigate and adapt to different cultures and situations. This line is exemplified through the main character's ability to seamlessly switch between languages and assimilate into various social circles, such as when he uses his knowledge of Greek to impress the Greek huckster. It also relates to the events of the story by highlighting the protagonist's cosmopolitan nature, which enables him to successfully execute his plan to outsmart the scheming Greek.
A selection that shares a similar theme of being a citizen of the world is the poem "I, Too" by Langston Hughes. This poem addresses the theme of racial equality and the hope for a future where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race. The protagonist in the poem expresses his determination to be seen and acknowledged as an equal citizen of his country, despite the discrimination and segregation he faces. Both "When Greek Meets Greek" and "I, Too" emphasize the idea of belonging to a larger global community and challenge societal norms and expectations.
Two poems that treat the subject of love in different ways are "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning and "Ego Tripping" by Nikki Giovanni. In "My Last Duchess," the speaker's love for himself and his desire for control are evident. The sensory details in this poem, such as the mention of the painted portrait and the description of the duke's gestures and demeanor, support the example of the speaker's self-centered love. The poet uses visual imagery to create a vivid image of the duke's arrogance and possessiveness.
In contrast, "Ego Tripping" celebrates a different kind of love - self-love and empowerment. The poem is an assertion of the speaker's own worth and accomplishments, highlighting her love for herself. The sensory details in this poem, such as the reference to the speaker's "breath as sweet as coconuts," create a sense of richness and abundance, supporting the example of self-love. The poet uses taste and smell imagery to evoke a sensory experience and to emphasize the speaker's confidence and self-assurance.
I will choose the second prompt and provide a response comparing and contrasting two poems in terms of their treatment of the subject of love. One of the poems will focus on love of family, while the other will focus on love of a significant other. I will also include sensory details that the poets use to support my examples.
In the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes, the love being addressed is the love of a mother for her child. The mother uses a metaphor of a crystal staircase to describe her life's journey and imparts valuable life lessons to her son, encouraging him to never give up despite hardships. The sensory details that the poet uses include the image of a "crystal," suggesting fragility and beauty, and the idea of climbing up a staircase, which evokes physical effort and the feeling of ascending towards a better future.
In contrast, in the poem "i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)" by E.E. Cummings, the love being addressed is the love between two individuals, a deep and profound romantic love. The poet expresses a sense of union and eternal companionship, proclaiming that the beloved's heart is always within their own. Sensory details in this poem include references to the senses of sight ("i am never without it"), touch ("i fear no fate"), and hearing ("i want no world"), emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of their love.
While both poems address themes of love, "Mother to Son" focuses on the enduring love of a mother for her child, using the metaphor of a staircase to convey the challenges of life. In contrast, "i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)" explores a passionate and intense love between two individuals, evoking a sense of unity and oneness through its sensory imagery. Both poems demonstrate the power of love, one in the context of family and the other in the context of a significant other, by utilizing sensory details to vividly depict the emotions and connections associated with love.
To answer the question, I will need to choose one of the two prompts provided. Let's consider the second prompt about comparing and contrasting two poems in this unit that address different kinds of love. We will focus on the sensory details that the poets use to support their examples.
When analyzing and comparing poems, it is important to first identify the kind of love being addressed in each poem. For instance, in the poem "Love after Love" by Derek Walcott, the speaker talks about self-love and finding peace within oneself. The sensory details used by Walcott include "the light of the eyes in the trees" and "the glow in your limbs after a walk."
On the other hand, in the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes, the love being addressed is the love of a family bond. Hughes utilizes sensory details such as "life for me ain't been no crystal stair," which describes the hardships in life, and "don't you turn back," which emphasizes the mother's resilience and determination.
When comparing and contrasting these two poems, we can see that they both address different kinds of love, self-love and familial love respectively. However, they differ in terms of the experiences they portray. Walcott's poem focuses on personal growth and self-acceptance, while Hughes' poem emphasizes the strength and determination in a mother's love.