Keilana Hoffstetter Essays (937 words) - Literature, Point Of View

Keilana Hoffstetter 10/29/17 Professor Terry ENC 1102 Test 2 Prompt D: In Emily Dickinson's poem "Wild nights - Wild nights!", she uses symbolism to express the timeless influx of emotions the narrator is feeling as he or she falls in love. The opening line of the poem, "Wild NightsWild Nights!" (pg.1207), is symbolism for the love the narrator is feeling. The narrator is experiencing a sensation of admiration and love that cannot be tamed, as seen by the use of the word "wild". This aspect of being wild brings the excitement and adrenaline rush that coincides with falling in love and the eager anticipation for the future that subsequently follows. Likewise, in the line "Done with the Compass - Done with the Chart!" (pg.1207), Dickinson uses the compass and chart as symbolism for guides on his or her quest for love. The narrator is done with both due to the fact that the narrator has found his or her soul mate and no longer has to search for love. The ocean is a vast, unpredictable territory, much like love. When the narrator states that he or she is done with both, the narrator is stating that the lovers are willing to trust their innate intuition to guide them in the right direction. The narrator is confident in the loves ability to prevail and remain wholesome. In the line "Rowing in Eden"(pg.1207), the narrator moving at a leisurely pace, leaving ripples in the unknown ocean. These ripples are memories that the two lovers will have, memories that will leave a mark in the two lovers minds. Eden is an allusion to the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve lived. This is where life prospered and everything was bountiful and lush. This is symbolism for their love, bountiful and prosperous. Dickinson's use of symbolism allows her to convey the message of loves intoxicating emotion to her audience. This allows them to grasp the full impact that love has on an individual. All one has to do is trust there instinct and go into the unknown territory of love to find the bountiful reward of a soul mate. Prompt: B In Raymond Carver's "Cathedral", sight is a prevalent motif and symbol that is saturated throughout the short story. In the story, the narrator is biologically able to see but ironically is blind to the world that surrounds him. However, the narrator meets his wife's friend Robert, who is completely blind but can see the world better than the narrator ever could. The narrator maintained a closed off demeanor in the beginning of the story when he was first introduced to the blind man. Even though the narrator can see, he can only see the flaws and insecurities that surround him, as seen in quote "Too much white in the iris, for one thing, and the pupils seemed to move around in the sockets without his knowing it or being able to stop it. Creepy." (pg. 36) This leaves him feeling ignorant and privileged compared to Robert. However, Robert is completely blind but is able to see the world in a more optimistic perspective and appreciates the beauty that everything has to offer. He is ea ger to live life to its fullest and reap all the benefits that life has to offer, as seen in quote "Then she looked at the blind man and said, "Robert, I didn't know you smoked." He said, "I do now, my dear. There's a first time for everything." (pg.38) Robert is not caught up in the homogenous tribulations of life, he treats each day as a gift, especially after his wife's passing. The narrator views Robert being blind as a burden, while in reality, it allows Robert to experience and enjoy life unbiased by visual social stigmas. In the quote "We dug in. We ate everything there was to eat on the table." (pg. 36) the meal is symbolism for communion. It is here that the narrator starts to open his mind and see past his insecurities and incompetence. This moment where the two men bonded over food allowed the narrator to see that despite Robert being blind, he is no different from himself. Robert did not judge the narrator and opened his