Poetry discussion boards

Summary: This week, we have discussed one of the key concepts that will run throughout this class: symbolism. Metaphor and simile are both of forms of symbolism, and all three work by transferring meaning between objects; by using one object to represent another, where the object used to represent the first brings all of the meanings associated with it to the object it is representing.

For example, take this poem by Langston Hughes, one of the important figures of the Harlem Renaissance:

Dream Deferred

by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

      Does it dry up

      like a raisin in the sun?

      Or fester like a sore—

      And then run?

      Does it stink like rotten meat?

      Or crust and sugar over—

      like a syrupy sweet?

 

      Maybe it just sags

      like a heavy load.

 

      Or does it explode?

 

The ‘dream deferred’ that the poem, on at least one important interpretation, is the dream of racial equality that seems to be always put off, ignored and never made into a reality.  Each of the poems stanzas are made up of similes that show the reader different aspects of a dream that fails to be achieved: the dream festers, rots, becomes poisonous, like the sore, smells, is borne like a heavy burden—until it finally explodes (whether in anger, in protest, in revolution; the meaning of the last line begs for interpretation). Each stanza tells the reader what it feels like to hold onto that dream of equality when you are systematically oppressed and, more broadly, it reveals different aspects of what it is like to live under oppression.*

 

For this weeks Main Post, choose an object—preferably something people are familiar with, like FIU or a cell phone or something more abstract, like justice or equality or freedom. Tell us what you have chosen. Then, think of at least four different symbols (two metaphors and two similes) for that thing. These should be varied, and not literal. Put them down in a list. Then, explain each one: what does this metaphor or simile reveal to us about the thing you have chosen? What important meanings does it convey? What are you trying to tell the reader?

The idea behind this assignment to is to think of as many varied and imaginative ways to show people what an object, and idea, or an experience is like, to show them different (and maybe hidden) aspects of it.

Here is an example (this is just one metaphor; for your main post, make sure you do 2 metaphors and 2 similes):

 

For my object, I have chosen my computer.

 Metaphor 1: My computer is a windowless room.

 I chose this metaphor because sometimes I feel trapped in the computer. I miss everything going on outside. I’m sucked into video games, work, the internet, away from the real world, and because I spend so much time on it sometimes it starts to feel like a prison closing me off rather than entertaining me.

 

For your Peer Response post, look at what your peer has written. Then create another simile for the object they have chosen, and another metaphor. Explain what your metaphor and simile mean.

The idea behind this assignment is to find as many varied and imaginative ways as possible to describe something so that people see your point of view, your experience, and maybe the hidden sides of something that might not otherwise understand.

 

*This is just one interpretation. Every poem will have many.

PEER TEXT----

Greetings Everyone!

An abstract object that I will be talking about is love. I chose to talk about a love because it is something that people talk as well as feel whether they are in a relationship with someone or not. Love is far more deeper in meaning than just the idea of "love." It is far more things that go into the idea of love to make it love. 

1st Metaphor: Love is composed of many obstacles. I chose this metaphor because love, in most cases, are composed of many trials and tribulations where some days you are going to want to quit and say forget it. However, if you love someone then the obstacles should not hinder your relationship but it should continue to push you even more. 

2nd Metaphor:  My love is never ending.

I chose this metaphor because my love no matter how bad or wrong someone treats me will always remain the same for people. If someone decides to do wrong by you, you should not retaliate and try to get vengeance upon that person, instead you continue to show love and enjoy the blessings that come your way as a result of it. This is something that I have grew to understand throughout the years. 

1st Simile: My love is like a drug.

I chose this simile because my love is like a drug. My love is something that people would grow to want more and more of. It is something that is truly genuine or could be also known as "the good stuff."

2nd Simile: My love is as deep as an ocean.

I chose this simile because my love is as deep as the ocean. Meaning that my love is something that is not fake or something that is made up. It is something that will leave a mark on anyone's conscious or even mind due to how hard I love someone.