Name__________________________________________
Name__________________________________________ Period___________
Who am I?
What is my identity? What is my vision?
In this short unit you will read two poems and a personal creed. By analyzing these three pieces, you will have the opportunity to reflect and consider the individual you are now as well as the individual you aspire to become. You will also create and publish your own personal “creed” for life!
Prereading – Answer the following.
1. Write your definition of beauty.
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2. Give 6 examples of beauty. (External E or Internal I)
1. ____________________________________________________ E or I
2. ____________________________________________________ E or I
3. ____________________________________________________ E or I
4. ____________________________________________________ E or I
5. ____________________________________________________ E or I
6. ____________________________________________________ E or I
*After the class discussion, add 2 or more qualities below.
7. ____________________________________________________ E or I
8. ____________________________________________________ E or I
3. When reading poetry, what is the difference between the speaker and the author?
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4. What aspects of poetry sometimes make it difficult to understand?
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5. Identify 3 strategies that help you to read and to understand difficult poems?
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Interpretive Discussion
(Use this page as a reference tool as your group completes the class assignments.)
1. Leader reads the poem aloud. (1st reading)
2. Everyone writes:
1 comment/question &
underlines a line or phrase he/she would like to discuss
3. Leader leads a discussion of comments and phrases.
4. Leader reads the poem AGAIN! (2nd reading)
5. Leader leads discussion of literary analysis questions, page 5
6. Someone else reads the poem aloud. (3rd reading)
7. Done!
And YES, by the time you are finished with this activity, you will have heard or read the poem aloud 3X!! This is not an error.
The Lesson of the Moth
By Don Marquis
Directions: Answer in complete well-written sentences (except 1 & 8). Answer Question #9 independently.
1. Free verse is poetry that does not contain regular patterns of rhythm or rhyme. The lines in free verse often flow more naturally than do rhymed, metrical lines. Why is “The Lesson of the Moth” is an example of free verse. Give two examples
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2. Discuss who the “speaker” might be. List two possibilities.
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3. What is the speaker’s main question to the moth?
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4. In lines 1-14, what is the speaker’s attitude toward the moth? 2 examples.
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5. In lines 43 until the end, what does the speaker learn about himself? 2 ideas.
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6. What is the moth’s attitude about the price of beauty?
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7. Explain how the author has arranged the stanzas.
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8. What literary devices are evidenced in the following lines?
line 5 – “and fry himself on the wires” __________________________________
line 39 – “ is to come easy and go easy” __________________________________
*9. What question or questions would you like to ask someone whose purpose seems unclear? (friend, parent, teacher, coach, etc.)
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Using correct punctuation
the lesson of the moth
Directions: Write the 4th stanza below creating a conventional paragraph. Add the correct punctuation and capitalization.
and before i could argue him
out of his philosophy
he went and immolated himself
on a patent cigar lighter
i do not agree with him
myself I would rather have
half the happiness and twice
the longevity
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Identity
by Julio Noboa Polanco
Directions: Answer in complete well-written sentences (except 5).
1. A symbol is a person, a place, an object, or an activity that stands for something beyond itself. What do the “flowers” symbolize in this poem? How does the author accomplish this?
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2. What do the “weeds” symbolize in this poem? How does the author describe the weeds?
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3. Which choice does the speaker say would be the easier to be? Why?
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4. Which choice does the speaker prefer? Why?
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5. List three (3) character traits that would describe the speaker. Reference your Appendix.
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6. Name three people you think the speaker would admire. _______________________________________________________________________
7. In line 3 “…but harnessed to a pot of dirt” is an example of what literary device? Reference your Appendix. Explain its meaning.
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8. In lines 1-3, how do the line breaks and the punctuation affect your reading and understanding?
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9. A satire is a literary composition, in verse or prose where human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule. How is this poem an example of satire? _______________________________________________________________________
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Let’s Compare Poems
1. Is “Lesson of the Moth” an example of satire? Why or why not?
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2. Compare the moth’s and the speaker’s (from Identity) attitude about “the price of beauty”.
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3. What “conflicts” – if any – are in “the lesson or the moth” and/or “Identity”?
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Vocabulary
Let’s add these vocabulary words from these two poems to our repertoire.
1. longevity (n) – length of life
2. abyss (n) – a seemingly bottomless space
3. shun (v) – deliberately avoided; shut out
4. conventional (adj) – customary, usual; accepted
5. condescending (v or adj) - to behave as if one is conscious of descending from a superior position, rank, or dignity (patronizing)
Now you add two words and definitions:
6. ________________________________________________
7. ________________________________________________
Name_____________________________________ Period___________
Quick Write
Polanco’s poem “Identity” uses extended metaphors describing people as either flowers or weeds. Consider your own identity. Based upon Polanco’s point of view, are you more like a flower or a weed? Write 3 paragraphs. In paragraph 1, describe at least one of your “flower” characteristics (based upon the poem) elaborating with a detailed example. In paragraph 2, describe at least one of your “weed” characteristics (based upon the poem) elaborating with an example. Write a short concluding paragraph stating which you more closely resemble, a flower or a weed. Minimum of 130 words.
Please feel free to keyboard your response. If you choose to write your response, make certain it is clearly and legibly written.
FCAs
• 3 paragraphs (2 pts. each) ________
• 2 well-explained personal examples (10 pts. each) ________
• 130 words (4 pts.) ________
• No Excuses Deductions - ________
• Total ________/30
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No. of Words ________
Jack London’s Creed
I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out
in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom
of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.
1. A creed is a statement of system of beliefs or principles; a doctrine? How does creating a creed impact the author?
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2. Describe the “style” of Jack London’s creed.
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3. Copy two examples of metaphors.
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4. Based upon the above creed, how would you describe London’s personality/character traits?
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5. Which statement of London’s most closely matches one of your own?
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6. How are the moth, the speaker in “Identity”, and London’s creed similar? Elaborate your answer.
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Final Assignment
Using Jack London’s Creed as a model, you will create your own creed for your life’s purpose and vision. It does not have to be long, but your personal creed should reflect the purposeful way you live your life each day. Choose your words carefully and focus on those ideals and goals that are important and meaningful to you.
FCAs
• Six (6) well-written, thoughtful statements of purpose (4 pts. each) ________
• Include 2 well-constructed and meaningful metaphors (4 pts. each) ________
• Keyboarded including meaningful pictures and/or artwork (4 pts.) ________
• No Excuses Deductions - ________
• Total ________/36
You may use London’s sentence beginnings
I would rather… _______________________________________________________
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I would rather… _______________________________________________________
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I would rather… _______________________________________________________
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The function of man… ___________________________________________________
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I shall not waste my days… ______________________________________________
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I shall… _____________________________________________________________
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Brainstorming Ideas
1. Using the list of Character Traits found on page 27 of your Appendix, select at least 6 traits to which you aspire (to long, aim, or seek ambitiously; be eagerly desirous, especially for something great or of high value).
Example: sensitive
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
4. ____________________
5. ____________________
6. ____________________
7. ____________________
8. ____________________
2. Considering this great list of traits above, create 8 meaningful metaphors and/or statements that represent your desired goals and values for life. 4 or more must be metaphors.
Example Statement: I would rather cry for a good reason than laugh for a bad one
Example Metaphor: I would rather be a shoulder on which to cry than a box of tissues.
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Author’s Name__________________________ Period________
Partner’s Name___________________________
Personal Creed – Conferencing Activity
--Sitting across from one another, the Partner will read the Author’s piece aloud to the author. As the creed is read, either the partner or the author may suggest changes, both in content as well as with the grammar.
--Partner then answers the following …
1. Did the author write 6 thoughtful statements of purpose? 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 - 6
2. Did the author include 2 meaningful metaphors? 1 – 2
(Make certain these metaphors make sense)
Partner’s favorite line…
Author’s 3 best vocabulary words…
Partner’s suggestion…
You should work for _____ minutes on one creed, then switch and work on the other’s creed so that you have finished proofreading both during this class period.
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