Symbolism in Poetry

Choose one of the following questions to answer for

Part 1:

Poe: Analyze the colors used in the rooms and objects in Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death.” What do they represent? Who do you think is the narrator? (No, it is not Poe)

Hawthorne: In “The Ambitious Guest,” Hawthorne is well known for using irony in his stories. Irony is sometimes difficult for readers to extract from stories, but it is fun to find. Identify at least a couple of examples of irony in “The Ambitious Guest.” Were they difficult to find? What does the irony do to reinforce a point or make the story interesting?

Melville: Explain the subtitle of “Bartleby the Scrivener”: “A Story of Wall Street”? What does Melville imply about the business world? Would those sentiments still be relevant today? Could the story be written today with a modern-day Bartleby, and what might he be like?

Part 2: Among many of the foundational themes of the poetry of the Fireside Poets were living a just life, commemorating history, embracing family and community, and celebrating nature. Consider the poetry of Henry Wadworth Longfellow and Oliver Wendell Holmes and discuss how these themes are represented in both. Please quote and cite from the poetry to support your assertions. You might consider using outside research from the open internet to help you gather ideas. If you do, please cite the source and provide a link for your classmates to follow.

Submission Instructions:

Your initial discussion should be at least 200 words. Please also respond to a minimum of two of your classmates’ initial posts and bring together pieces of the discussion and take those ideas further. These responses should be at least 150 words.

I have attached the reading.

Symbolism in Poetry 20180409140455perkins_2011_week11

Solution Preview

Edgar Allen Poe makes an effort to arrange the rooms in the story from east to west in addition to having them painted differently. The last room in the house is painted red, as is also the color used in the title of the poem. Consequently, it becomes clear to the audience that the last room has its color…

(451 Words)