Figurative Language The Sun Rising Barbie Doll Introduction

Figurative Language “The Sun Rising” & “Barbie Doll”

Introduction • The romantic period is often thought to span from approximately 1750 -1850. • Its subject matter is usually identified as: focusing on nature, selfexpression, emotion, individuality, and social philosophy. • What might we infer poetry written in the 17 th century might be like? • Write some predictions. Think of the style, the subject matter, tone…

John Donne • He and Shakespeare were contemporaries. • “Metaphysical Poet” • Famous for his poem “Meditation XVII. How do you think John • Read his biography. Take notes on Donne’s life will inform his your handout. poetry?

Renaissance • Began in Italy in the 14 th century, by many accounts. However, the English Renaissance is often regarded as spanning from the 15 th century to the early 17 th century. • Ideas of the Renaissance: • Geocentrism • Chain of Being • Humanism Keep these terms in mind when reading this poem today. How do these ideas influence Donne?

“The Sun Rising” • Listen to the poem, “The Sun Rising”. • Annotate and make notes while you listen. • Pay attention to references to Geocentrism, Humanism, Chain of Being, and Donne’s personal life.

Analyze the Poem Further… • We will go through the poem stanza by stanza. • Paraphrase the poem in column one. • Look for TWIST elements and poetic devices and record this in column two. • What is theme?

Analyze Using Figurative Language • What is Overstatement? • What is Understatement? • Now read the poem again for Understatement and Overstatement. Give examples of where this occurs in the poem. Consider the Sun and the Couple’s love.

Marge Piercy • Much more contemporary • She was born in 1936 • Writes prose and poetry (including Sci-Fi and Historical Fiction) • Published “Barbie Doll”, our poem today, in 1973

“Barbie Doll” • Listen to the Poem “Barbie Doll” • Annotate for TWIST elements and poetic devices. • What is theme?

This girlchild was usual She was advised to born play as coy, and presented that did pee-pee exhorted to comedolls on hearty, and miniature GE stoves and irons exercise, diet, smile and wheedle. and weenature lipsticks theout color of cherry candy. 15 Her good wore Then in belt. the magic of puberty, a classmate said: like a fan a great big nose andlegs fat legs. So. You shehave cut off her nose and her and offered them up. was healthy, tested In She the casket displayed on intelligent, satin she lay possessed strong arms and back, with the undertaker's cosmetics painted on, 20 abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity. a turned-up putty nose, She went andand fro white apologizing. 10 dressed in atopink nightie. Everyone fat nose on thicksaid. legs. Doesn't she saw look apretty? everyone Consummation at last. To every woman a happy ending. 25 5 “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

Figurative Language • What is Verbal Irony? • Now read the poem for examples of verbal irony. Give examples of where it occurs in the poem.

For Homework: Read chapter 7 on Figurative Language and Conclusion take notes. (Page 756). Note information on Understatement, Overstatement, and Verbal Samuel Taylor Coleridge once Irony. said: “I wish our clever young poets would remember my homely definitions of prose and poetry; that is, prose, —words in their best order; poetry, —the best words in their best order”. • If the words used in “Barbie Doll” had described “Dolls that wet” “Small Stoves” or “Little Lipsticks” how would the poem be altered?