Essay 4

Essay 4

Literature as written artistic works plays a significant role in society as they communicate specific themes or lessons. One of the most common literature elements is poetry which delivers its goal in communication by using language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm. Apart from the word arrangements to create a particular specific sound, poetry uses figurative language to drive the points of discussion or the poet's goal. Figurative language as used in the context refers to the use of words in a way that deviates from the conventional meaning or order to convey a certain fundamental meaning which in most times is hidden. Figurative language uses reference without stating the real meaning in which the poet intends to teach the audience. Poetry has a unique way of communicating as it evokes a specific emotional response or concentrated imaginative awareness of experience (Gabrielsen et al. 27). For this distinct feature, poetry has been used in connecting with the audience of the poet, particularly on matters affecting the society or a given group of specific members of a community. Comment by Natalie Dorfeld: Talk about the book and YouTube clip here.

The role of poetry in conveying an essential message to the audience or motivating a positive change is evident in Randy Pausch’s message, ‘The Last lecture.’ Some of the themes of the lecture and the book are described through the use of poetry, mainly as the author and the speaker, Randy Pausch, conveyed the message to his wife Jai and the kids he had been dedicated to his entire life. Comment by Natalie Dorfeld: Address the following: fiction, poetry, and drama related to the book or YouTube clip. Have one paragraph for each one.

The primary evidence of poetry in the work, The Last Lecture is the letters that Randy Pausch wrote to his wife and the kids towards his death. His goal was to comfort them and prepare them mentally for the changes they were to experience upon his death, but most of all, they need to pursue their goals. Each of the letters had an objective in relation to communication either to the wife or the children. Through the letter, Randy explained to the kids and the wife about all the things he loved. One main feature used in composing the letters is comparison, where Randy compared various scenarios that were similar to him and his family during his last days alive. One of the comparisons concerned a woman whose husband had died at a stage while her children were young, a condition that was similar to what Jai, Randy’s wide was passing through (Gentry). Comment by Natalie Dorfeld: Delete.

The style of making a comparison to drive the meaning of literature work is referred to as analogy. It is a style that has dominated in the letters as Randy used them in comforting his family of other people who made it despite passing through the pain of losing someone as it would occur with his death from pancreatic cancer. Rhythm in the letters is also evident, but most of all, it uses figurative language to represent the meaning of a hidden meaning.

Poetry is used in the book as an essential tool in society that can be used in teaching important lessons. There are many lessons that Randy taught his wife and kids and to the world through the letters, from avoiding shortcuts to following their dreams to working hard. He even used the letters to encourage his wife to move on after his death and use the children as a motivation to move on. Despite the rhythm created by using words that make a similar sound towards the end of the line, the letters summarize much of the knowledge (Arnett 120).

Poetry lets out feelings and thoughts on a subject such as determination and commitment for success as it occurred in the book. Reading the poetry work, be it songs or letters used in The Last Lecture, encourages the audience to connect and find meaning in the experiences. The use of poetry to drive a positive change to someone else or the community is a more significant cause supporting the argument, ‘poetry for a greater cause.'

To conclude, poetry is one of the branches or components of literature that use words in a specific arrangement to drive a specific meaning and connect with the audience through certain experiences. It is evident through the letters written by Randy Pausch in his famous artwork, The Last Lecture. The letter uses styles such as analogy and rhythm, which are vital in distinguishing poetry from other forms of literature.

Work cited Comment by Natalie Dorfeld: Cited

Arnett, Ronald C. "The Lecture as Testimony: In a Technological Age." The Digital Turn in Higher Education. Springer VS, Wiesbaden, 2018. 119-128. Comment by Natalie Dorfeld: Cite the book and YouTube clip.

Gabrielsen, Ida Lodding, Marte Blikstad-Balas, and Michael Tengberg. "The role of literature in the classroom: How and for what purposes do teachers in lower secondary school use literary texts?." L1-Educational Studies in Language and Literature 19 (2019): 1-32.

Gentry, James. "The Existential Talk: The Last Lecture." Awakening of Educators to Excel, Explore, and Engage Students: 6.