English Notes Latest Questions

  1. The theme of this poem is individualism. It revolves around venturing out into the world by one’s self and discovering who they are for themselves.  The Journey Summary

    The theme of this poem is individualism. It revolves around venturing out into the world by one’s self and discovering who they are for themselves. 

    The Journey Summary

    See less
  1. This poem has a myriad of poetic devices, some of which are as follows: Hyperbole: The phrase “the whole house/ began to tremble” is an example of exaggeration or hyperbole.  Personification: In the phrase “the wind pried/ with its stiff fingers”, the wind is personified.  Visual Imagery: One examplRead more

    This poem has a myriad of poetic devices, some of which are as follows:

    • Hyperbole: The phrase “the whole house/ began to tremble” is an example of exaggeration or hyperbole. 
    • Personification: In the phrase “the wind pried/ with its stiff fingers”, the wind is personified. 
    • Visual Imagery: One example would be the vivid descriptions in the lines “the stars began to burn/through the sheets of clouds”.

    The Journey Summary

     

    See less
  1. Kobe Bryant's poem 'Dear Basketball' was written as an announcement of the Lakers star's retirement from basketball.  Bryant's emotional connection to the game is explored in the letter, which is written in the style of a poem divided into stanzas. He tells how he discovered it as a youngster and thRead more

    Kobe Bryant’s poem ‘Dear Basketball’ was written as an announcement of the Lakers star’s retirement from basketball. 

    Bryant’s emotional connection to the game is explored in the letter, which is written in the style of a poem divided into stanzas. He tells how he discovered it as a youngster and then worked hard to do the sport justice. His passion for basketball is evident in every line of ‘Dear Basketball.’ Bryant then announces his resignation at the end of the poem/letter. 

    Dear Basketball Summary

    See less
  1. Alliteration: Alliteration is a technique that makes use of repeated sounds at the beginning of multiple words, grouped together. It is used in poetry and prose. For example, “Game-winning” and “Great” are in the first stanza.   Enjambment: Enjambment occurs when a line is cut off before its naturalRead more

    1. Alliteration: Alliteration is a technique that makes use of repeated sounds at the beginning of multiple words, grouped together. It is used in poetry and prose. For example, “Game-winning” and “Great” are in the first stanza.  
    2. Enjambment: Enjambment occurs when a line is cut off before its natural stopping point. It is a transition/continuation between lines. For example, “From the moment/ I started rolling my dad’s tube socks”.
    3. Personification: Personification is a literary device that refers to the projection of human characteristics onto inanimate objects in order to create imagery. For example, the game of basketball is personified. It asks Bryant to work hard and give it his “hustle”. 

     

    Dear Basketball Summary

    See less
  1. Enjambment- It is the continuation of a sentence to multiple lines. The sentences in this poem span multiple lines and are therefore of this nature. Metaphor- A metaphor directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. Example- “The blackbird whirled in the autumn winds./ It was a small part of tRead more

    1. Enjambment- It is the continuation of a sentence to multiple lines. The sentences in this poem span multiple lines and are therefore of this nature.


    2. Metaphor- A metaphor directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. Example- “The blackbird whirled in the autumn winds./ It was a small part of the pantomime.”

    3. Symbolism- Symbolism is using symbols to signify ideas and qualities. Here, the blackbird is a symbol of the shifting perspectives on reality.

    4. Simile– A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two things. Example- “I was of three minds,/ Like a tree”

     

     

    Thirteen Ways Of Looking At A Blackbird Summary

    See less
  1. The main theme of the poem is the relationship between reality and perspective, and how reality shifts based on how you look at it, just like all the different ways of looking at a blackbird present it in different ways. The importance of the natural world is also a recurring theme. Thirteen Ways OfRead more

    The main theme of the poem is the relationship between reality and perspective, and how reality shifts based on how you look at it, just like all the different ways of looking at a blackbird present it in different ways. The importance of the natural world is also a recurring theme.

    Thirteen Ways Of Looking At A Blackbird Summary

    See less
  1. The poem is divided into thirteen sections, and written in free verse. Thirteen Ways Of Looking At A Blackbird Summary

    The poem is divided into thirteen sections, and written in free verse.

    Thirteen Ways Of Looking At A Blackbird Summary

    See less
  1. The poem talks about the importance of varied perspectives, and how the same thing can be looked at in many different ways, giving rise to different feelings. Thirteen Ways Of Looking At A Blackbird Summary

    The poem talks about the importance of varied perspectives, and how the same thing can be looked at in many different ways, giving rise to different feelings.

    Thirteen Ways Of Looking At A Blackbird Summary

    See less