Definition: A feeling or attitude of devoted attachment and affection.
Reasons for exsistence:
- to show that someone is there for you
- for dependace and trust
- for support
Ways to get it:
- to be there for someone in their time of need
- to gain someone's trust
- to be there for someone else
Ways to maintain it:
- to continue to be trustworthy
- to continue to be a supportive person
Ways one would use it:
- to have a lot of friends beause of your loyalty
- to gain trust from a lot of people
Ways one could lose it:
- being untrustworthy
- to be supportive towards others
- to become a bad friend
- revealing information that was supposed to be kept private.
How it affects people:
- it can make someone like you a lot as a person if they can really trust you
- the way someone looks towards you
- people's judgements about you
How you term interacts/connects with other terms:
- they all create a great person
- you need these qualities in life
- loyalty is part of Humanity because every human needs this quality to have a good life
- it is a key component in a successful life
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Identity Poem
Who am I?
Why am I here?
These are the questions I am trying to answer.
On this long and mysterious path,
learning from others tells me who I am.
But the real question is;
Who do I think I am.
To me I think I'm like a cloud,
drifting from one place to another
and changing form
to lightning to thunder.
Honestly I have two different faces,
Cool, crazy and fun on the left.
And calm, smart and quiet on the right.
People probably judge me on what I've done,
I am merely flesh and bone.Don't condemn me on what you see.
You could be chaining a metal ball to my feet.
Basicly I am who I am;
I'm just me
anon person
In this poem there is a man who is trying to figure out who he really is. There are others who tell him who they think he is but he soon comes to realize that the only important opinion is his own. This is a good life lesson because all through life there is going to ba all sorts of people who think they can put a label on you. Well they're thinking wrong. Even your best friend or your parents don't know as much about you as you do. Basically you are who you are and that's not going to change no matter what anyone says.
Why am I here?
These are the questions I am trying to answer.
On this long and mysterious path,
learning from others tells me who I am.
But the real question is;
Who do I think I am.
To me I think I'm like a cloud,
drifting from one place to another
and changing form
to lightning to thunder.
Honestly I have two different faces,
Cool, crazy and fun on the left.
And calm, smart and quiet on the right.
People probably judge me on what I've done,
I am merely flesh and bone.Don't condemn me on what you see.
You could be chaining a metal ball to my feet.
Basicly I am who I am;
I'm just me
anon person
In this poem there is a man who is trying to figure out who he really is. There are others who tell him who they think he is but he soon comes to realize that the only important opinion is his own. This is a good life lesson because all through life there is going to ba all sorts of people who think they can put a label on you. Well they're thinking wrong. Even your best friend or your parents don't know as much about you as you do. Basically you are who you are and that's not going to change no matter what anyone says.
Friday, October 15, 2010
I Search
I search for that something called an Identity I search for the eternally dynamic being called 'me' I search for that ever-elusive ray of Hope That'll steady my walk on life's tightrope I search for that stroke of Brilliance That'll make me stand out among millions I search for that much-needed Common Sense That'll help me to decipher utter nonsense I search for that slippery thing called Fame That'll erase all my past memories of shame I search for that quality called Tenacity That'll help me cope with life's complexity I search for that something called a Carefree Life That'll remove me from worries and Danger's knife I search for something called an Identity And I still search for that being called 'me Rony Patra ------------------------------------------------------- EQ: What does it mean to be an Insider or an Outsider? To be an outsider means to be unknown. We all, at some point in our lives have felt like outsiders. Rony Patra's entry explores the innermost longings of humanity in his aptly named poetry: "I Search". In his poem, we can all distinguish the familliar vibes of yearning for acceptance that we all resonate with, time and time again. In his entry, we see that he dreams and searches for things that we find intangible. Things that we all most likely, dream and search for alike. An Identity. During the course of our lives, we all will face numerous bouts of struggles and resistance from the world itself. Along the way through this journey, we will all learn several things about countless lives lived. Sometime we are the insiders: In the know of things revolving around us; but most of the time, we are outsiders: eternally oblivious. Being an outsider means to be a wanderer, in an endless pursuit for something meaningful in the world. As like Rony Patra, many of us search for our own place in life and our own inner truth (our Identity). -Rigel Pascual | |||
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Me: The thief of my Identity
Me: The thief of my Identity
The thief of my Identity
To my Friends and Family
My true Identity
Is all that makes me
I stole my identity
My personality
What I live for, What I breath for
What I'd fight for, what I'd die for
If not for my soul,
I would be lost once again
For my True Identity has fled me
Fled me for another
It is the dancing shadow you play with,
The beauty you can see in yourself,
And the hostility.
It wants to see you suffer,
It is most content, when you are in despair.
When I can look into my self
and find the real Identity of my inner self,
Until then I will not blame anyone
for my misfortune
Brad Combs
The poem "Me: The Thief of My Identity" is a prime example of an identity crisis. The way I see this poem is that this person attempts to image another person's identity. "I stole my identity, my personality." The person in the poem is not being true to their self. It seems as if he/she needs to change up their identity in order to feel as if they fit in with other people. However, this person also realizes that it was wrong to change their identity, and that their true identity is all that they have. "If not for my soul, I would be lost once again." The moral that the author is trying to send out is that changing your identity never works, and you have to be true to yourself. "When I can look into my self and find the real identity of my inner self, Until then I will not blame anyone for my misfortune."
It seems that in modern day society, people feel the need to change their self-image in order to fit in with a certain group of people. As described in the poem, changing yourself never works out, because you are only who you are meant to be. Your identity represents you, and you can never change this. Each individual's identity is meant to be unique, so trying to change your identity is worthless.
In conclusion, everybody should be proud of who they are, regardless if they are an "insider" or an "outsider."
-Josh Parkes
It seems that in modern day society, people feel the need to change their self-image in order to fit in with a certain group of people. As described in the poem, changing yourself never works out, because you are only who you are meant to be. Your identity represents you, and you can never change this. Each individual's identity is meant to be unique, so trying to change your identity is worthless.
In conclusion, everybody should be proud of who they are, regardless if they are an "insider" or an "outsider."
-Josh Parkes
Identity in Poetry
-EQ: What does it mean to be an Insider or an outsider?
My Identity
By Yisel Chong
So lost deep inside,
Is all that makes me.
My true identity,
Is hard to see.
To my friends and family,
I’m a different me.
I have a secret identity,
Wonder if you’ll ever see.
My thoughts and actions,
Are all that makes me,
But some things I may do,
May not describe me.
Now look inside me,
If you ever feel,
like it,
I’m no-one but me,
Never hiding my identity.
Don’t say I am hypocrisy,
Because I never showed you,
two of me.
Now please,
Look at me,
Try to see the real me.
I’m no-one but,
my real identity.
All full of beauty,
Is all that makes me.
My true identity,
Is hard to see.
To my friends and family,
I’m a different me.
I have a secret identity,
Wonder if you’ll ever see.
My thoughts and actions,
Are all that makes me,
But some things I may do,
May not describe me.
Now look inside me,
If you ever feel,
like it,
I’m no-one but me,
Never hiding my identity.
Don’t say I am hypocrisy,
Because I never showed you,
two of me.
Now please,
Look at me,
Try to see the real me.
I’m no-one but,
my real identity.
All full of beauty,
Inside me.
From: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-identity-3/
I chose the poem My Identity by Yisel Chong to represent identity. Here, the narrator has described herself as being the only insider in her own life. She's the only one who knows her own true identity, by saying "My true identity is hard to see. My friends and family, see a different me." (Lines 3-6). The narrator is saying that her friends and family are outsiders, by not knowing her true identity. From lines seven to eight, the narrator states: "I have a secret identity, Wonder if you'll ever see". Here, she is speaking to everyone who doesn't know who she really is, and wondering whether or not they will ever find out. Basically anyone who doesn't understand her identity is an outsider to her.
In this poem, everyone is an insider in their own lives, but one can only become an insider along someone else's until they understand their true identity.
Identity in Poetry
EQ: What does it mean to be an insider or an outsider?
| Identity Crisis by: Jake Erkens You wake up in the morning And notice not everything is okay Starring at the mirror, you take a long look And see someone else, and not yourself You're going through a identity crisis Not knowing who you are and what you are There is no place where you feel okay Because you don't know yourself at all It's okay, just take another look And make a decision on who You want to be, and what you want to be Stop dreaming of being someone you're not Identity crisis, stop and don't make her cry A single tear anymore You've got to recognize your own beauty And accept who you are Identity crisis Please quickly pass by Don't let her cry Dry her tear Show her who she is Reflect her inner beauty And don't let her feel ugly Identity crisis Pass quickly by Leave her Let her know who she is Tell her shes beautiful Show her who she really is Let her neglect her other side You've got to hold on and believe In yourself, and who you really Are! From: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/identity-crisis-7/ The poem "Identity Crisis" by Jake Erkens is about a girl going through an identity crisis. This girl "[doesn't] know [herself] at all" as she is "being someone [she] is not". The desire to be an insider is so great that one is willing to force themselves to act and fake an identity because they are insecure about their true self. To be an insider means to be accepted but at what cost? The girl loses reality of what life is about and hits an identity crisis because she is lost in the act. The narrator of the poem wants the girl to just "accept who [she] is" convince her there is nothing wrong with her true identity. The narrator wants the identity crisis to pass by and hope the girl learns that losing reality is not worth being accepted by a certain group. It is implied that an outsider is truly just an insider that is insecure. We all belong somewhere "you [just] got to hold on and believe". True acceptance is when you are "who you really are!". I chose this poem because way too many people in today's society are swept up by the standards that the media emphasize. For example, females have to be skinny while men have to be aggressive and violent. Too many of us are brainwashed into faking an identity and lying to ourselves to be accepted by the general public. It is sad to see how disgusting of it is for the media to persuade people to follow these standards but it is even more sad how many people believe in this rubbish. People who live up to the standards of the media may be considered "accepted" but they have lost their sense of reality. I believe the poem teaches a great lesson on how we should accept who we are and others will learn to accept you, too. - Noel Woo (2-1) |
The Lost Mistress
THE LOST MISTRESSby: Robert Browning
LL'S over, then: does truth sound bitter- As one at first believes?
- Hark, 'tis the sparrows' good-night twitter
- About your cottage eaves!
- And the leaf-buds on the vine are woolly,
- I noticed that, to-day;
- One day more bursts them open fully
- --You know the red turns gray.
- To-morrow we meet the same then, dearest?
- May I take your hand in mine?
- Mere friends are we,--well, friends the merest
- Keep much that I resign:
- For each glance of the eye so bright and black.
- Though I keep with heart's endeavour,--
- Your voice, when you wish the snowdrops back,
- Though it stay in my soul for ever!--
- Yet I will but say what mere friends say,
- Or only a thought stronger;
- I will hold your hand but as long as all may,
- Or so very little longer!
I chose this poem because it clearly portrays how the character thinks and what sort of person he is by what he sees and feels. To understand someone, you have to see how they view the world, not technically by what they say or how they act. Why I chose this particular poem, I is because it shows clearly what sort of person he is. It is not a poem that is obvious about describing a character, but it is discreet and secretive in showing and revealing their character. A true author can state the obvious, without really stating the obvious.
Identity in Poetry
EQ: What does it mean to be an insider or an outsider?
The kid identity
Look at me,
It is not my true identity,
But when they see the true true me,
I am nothing but a messed up key,
When they see my true identity,
They want to go back to what they thought was me,
But they must not go and see,
Who my true identity could really be,
Just remember I’m my real identity.
By: Colby Selter
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-kid-identity/
The poem "A Kid Identity" by Colby Selter is about a child who feels as though they were a "messed up key" or an outsider. However, everyone views the child as an insider. But when the child shows who they really are everyone thinks the child is an outsider. This makes the child angry because people will not look past them being an outsider to who they really are and what their identity is. At the end, the child says that they are who they are and nothing can change their identity. No one can change their identity. It is who you are. The child is an outsider they can't change that. Everyone around the child is an insider and they won't accept the child because the child's identity is not the same. Overall, identity plays a part in who you are and who your friends are and how people view you.
I chose this poem because it showed a good example of being an insider and an outsider. In this case, the child was an outsider but people thought the child was an insider. But when they got to know the child, the child became more of an outsider.
The kid identity
Look at me,
It is not my true identity,
But when they see the true true me,
I am nothing but a messed up key,
When they see my true identity,
They want to go back to what they thought was me,
But they must not go and see,
Who my true identity could really be,
Just remember I’m my real identity.
By: Colby Selter
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-kid-identity/
The poem "A Kid Identity" by Colby Selter is about a child who feels as though they were a "messed up key" or an outsider. However, everyone views the child as an insider. But when the child shows who they really are everyone thinks the child is an outsider. This makes the child angry because people will not look past them being an outsider to who they really are and what their identity is. At the end, the child says that they are who they are and nothing can change their identity. No one can change their identity. It is who you are. The child is an outsider they can't change that. Everyone around the child is an insider and they won't accept the child because the child's identity is not the same. Overall, identity plays a part in who you are and who your friends are and how people view you.
I chose this poem because it showed a good example of being an insider and an outsider. In this case, the child was an outsider but people thought the child was an insider. But when they got to know the child, the child became more of an outsider.
Identity Within Poetry
| ||
|
This poem relates to identity as it describes the identity of a people through personification. The bird that is described is trapped, and sings to compensate for being caged. The actions of the bird speak out to the author's identity and how she feels about being a "caged bird". Maya Angelou writes about the life of a free bird and the life of the bird that is caged. She does this to show how contrasting the identities of these people are. Consequently, the caged bird is the outsider, one who does not deserve to be free like the others. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is a powerful poem, expressing the identity of the caged bird through strong imagery. Furthermore, the caged bird is compared to the free bird, giving the reader an even clearer understanding of the caged bird's status in society.
-Ace N.
The Road Not Taken
The Road Not Taken
Robert Frost
Robert Frost
TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Our identity is affected by the choices that we make over time. Every single choice that we make now helps form our identity. However not all choices that we make may be what people consider the right one, but each and every one continues to help us grow as a person. It forms our identity.
We don't know what's going be at the end of the paths that we choose, we don't know if we're ever going to regret the choices that we make right now.
I choose it because people often live life with too many regrets, too many what ifs. We choose things that others have chosen, rather than to think for ourselves.
Our choices make up who we are, and who we are determines our choices.
Summative Identity Task
SUMMATIVE IDENTITY TASK
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
How are people transformed through their relationships with others?
How does what I know about the world shape the way we view ourselves?
How do our personal experiences shape our views of others? Ourselves?
What does it mean to be an insider or an outsider?
What personal qualities help or hinder a person’s growth?
Guiding thoughts to include in your final piece:
q Which of the poems and/or stories had the most meaning for you personally?
q What thoughts and/or feelings did the texts evoke in you. Why?
q What ideas or feelings seem most significant to you? Why?
q Does the literature remind you of anything significant in your own life? Explain.
q How do the stories or poems resonate with your own experience?
q How can reflecting on the differences and similarities help you clarify your own identity as distinct/or similar from/to the character in the text?
Explore the theme of identity and how it connects to the literary works we have studied in this unit. Your final piece can be written, oral, video, PowerPoint, piece of art, music, art, a combination of these or any other idea.(Please see me).
Introduction: explain the theme you’ve identified within the literary works. (Hint; look to EQ’s)
Body: present a well developed personal connection to this theme by employing concrete examples (evidence) from the literary works and by narrating incidents from your own experience and/or ways of thinking. (You’ll find some of this in your formative pieces on your blog—look to what you have done in your responses.)
Conclusion: bring your discussion to a logical and memorable close.
Fully Meeting | Meeting | Minimally Meeting | Not Yet Meeting | |
Exploration of identity theme | Theme is explored in extensive depth, ideas have been interpreted and personalized, Meaningfully chosen text support is included from multiple sources and is well integrated. | Theme is explored and understood. Some interpretation and personal understanding is evident. Text support used to express point. | Theme is referred to and basic understanding is demonstrated. Very little text support. | Theme is basically referred to but understanding is not evident, No text support. |
Understandings of the concepts of identity | Has an insightful, original and detailed way in explaining and showing their identity(interpreted and personalized) Has a solid understanding of the implication of the concept of identity Has included several examples from multiple (diverse) sources | Theme of identity is explored and there is some interpretation (personal) evident Is able to explain show and connect identity with some evidence from a source. | Mentions identity and basic understanding is demonstrated | Brief mention of identity Understanding is not evident |
Method of presentation | Format is powerful and captivating, conveys theme, clear effective, engaging, unique choice of material shows and understanding of audience and purpose The presentation is coherent and organized with a clear and effective pattern of development. | Format is unique, theme is clear, focused, effective. Choice of material shows considerable sense of audience and purpose Ideas are presented effectively, with the format is in consistent organization and pattern. | Format is functional, predictable, choice of material shows some sense of audience and purpose | Format is incomplete brief |
The Poem on Identity
Please post on the class blog or your own if you are not on the class one yet a song/lyricsor poem of your choice that connnects to identity with a brief explanation as to why you have selected it.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Poem/Song related to EQ. Why?
What does it mean to be an insider or an outsider?
Nobody's Home
She's lost inside, lost inside (oh, oh, yeah)
My opinion: For me this song relates with the essential question that I chose because it shows how much a person can suffer feeling like an outsider, but at the same time it makes us question what it is to be an outsider. Because the only reason that the character in the song feels excluded is because she does not understand that everyone is an outsider in relation to some reference. We might be insiders and feel that we belong to smaller groups like a family or a club, but in the bigger picture we are outsiders towards several other groups, and sometimes it's not up to us to become an insider there.
I couldn't tell you
Why she felt that way
She felt it everyday
I couldn't help her
I just watched her make
The same mistakes again
What's wrong, what's wrong now
Too many, too many problems
Don't know where she belongs
Where she belongs
(Chorus)
She wants to go home, but nobody's home
That's where she lies, broken inside
With no place to go, no place to go
To dry her eyes, broken inside
Open your eyes
And look outside
Find the reason why (why)
You've been rejected (you've been rejected)
And now you can't find
What you left behind
Be strong, be strong now
Too many too many problems
Don't know where she belongs
Where she belongs
(Chorus)
She wants to go home, but nobody's home
That's where she lies, broken inside
With no place to go, no place to go
To dry her eyes broken inside
Her feeling she hides
Her dream she can't find
She's losing her mind
She's falling behind
She can't find her place
She's losing her faith
She's falling from grace
She's all over the place (yeah!)
(Chorus)
She wants to go home, but nobody's home
That's where she lies, broken inside
With no place to go, no place to go
To dry her eyes broken inside
She's lost inside, lost inside (oh, oh, yeah)
My opinion: For me this song relates with the essential question that I chose because it shows how much a person can suffer feeling like an outsider, but at the same time it makes us question what it is to be an outsider. Because the only reason that the character in the song feels excluded is because she does not understand that everyone is an outsider in relation to some reference. We might be insiders and feel that we belong to smaller groups like a family or a club, but in the bigger picture we are outsiders towards several other groups, and sometimes it's not up to us to become an insider there.
"Just Lather, That's All" - Movie that relates to it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=890X3drGHKU&feature=fvst
Do I really need to explain? This movie connects to the sadistic side of the barber in “Just Lather, That’s All”, his evil side if you may. Even though the reasons behind the whole ‘slitting throats’ thing are totally different in those pieces I think just the desire to do it is enough to make a nice parallel between them.
Poem
Nature is beautiful
nature is fun
love it or hate it
nature is something to love
nature is god's gift to us
Nature
Nature we love
water and feed nature
Nature water's and feed's us
god gave us nature
we cant live with out it
nature makes us
i know nature
Nature is beautiful
Nature is about the earth
nature has flower; s and weed's
weed's or flower's nature is us
NATURE
kerri king
nature is fun
love it or hate it
nature is something to love
nature is god's gift to us
Nature
Nature we love
water and feed nature
Nature water's and feed's us
god gave us nature
we cant live with out it
nature makes us
i know nature
Nature is beautiful
Nature is about the earth
nature has flower; s and weed's
weed's or flower's nature is us
NATURE
kerri king
Identity in Poetry
EQ: How do our relationships with others shape us?
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more."
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore -
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -
This it is, and nothing more."
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"- here I opened wide the door; -
Darkness there, and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore?"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!" -
Merely this, and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice:
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -
'Tis the wind and nothing more."
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door -
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore -
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning- little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door -
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered- not a feather then he fluttered -
Till I scarcely more than muttered, "other friends have flown before -
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said, "Nevermore."
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore -
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of 'Never - nevermore'."
But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
Then upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite - respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore:
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! -
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -
On this home by horror haunted- tell me truly, I implore -
Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil - prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore -
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore -
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend," I shrieked, upstarting -
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!- quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more."
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore -
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -
This it is, and nothing more."
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"- here I opened wide the door; -
Darkness there, and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore?"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!" -
Merely this, and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice:
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -
'Tis the wind and nothing more."
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door -
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore -
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning- little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door -
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered- not a feather then he fluttered -
Till I scarcely more than muttered, "other friends have flown before -
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said, "Nevermore."
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore -
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of 'Never - nevermore'."
But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
Then upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite - respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore:
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! -
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -
On this home by horror haunted- tell me truly, I implore -
Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil - prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore -
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore -
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend," I shrieked, upstarting -
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!- quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!
I chose this poem poem because I feel it speaks to the need of relationships for a fuller existence. Similar to Maya Angelou's "Alone" it states that humans can't exist without our ties to others. Both poems state that we aren't capable of humanity in isolation. However where Maya states the physical side of existence or lack there of (death), Edgar states the psychological side. The poem demonstrates how it is possible to survive in isolation, how ever it is a struggle to remain human. Isolation tends to inspire insanity within people and as humans are most commonly described in psychological beings who have survived through thought as apposed to physicality, we are essentially destroyed. Without relationships with others, we aren't truly humans and have no values or morals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)