Poems and Speakers
goodisnaks
SecondSetofPoemsDukeandMistressandParents-2.pptx
Poems
Some Useful Information to Guide Your Reading of the Poems for This Week
Poems about a duke, a mistress, and some parents
Poems
“To a Daughter Leaving Home," by Linda Pastan, on page 526
“To His Coy Mistress,” by Andrew Marvell, on pages 528-529
“Those Winter Sundays,” by Robert Hayden, on page 559
“My Last Duchess,” by Robert Browning, on pages 692-694
“To a Daughter Leaving Home"
This poem appears on page 526, and it is written by Linda Pastan.
As a daughter leaves home to begin college, start a career in a new city, perform volunteer work in another part of the world, get married, etc., the parent begins thinking about the time that the daughter learned to ride a bicycle at age eight.
Before you read this poem, you should consider those times in your life when you exercised your independence, such as when you began kindergarten, went on a date, landed your first part-time job, spent the night away from home, etc. How did you react to your newfound independence? How did your parents respond to it?
As you read the poem, consider these questions in relation to the contents of the poem.
Questions to Guide Your Reading
How does the parent react to the daughter’s leaving home?
How does the daughter respond to the independence experienced when she learns to ride a bicycle? How does she probably respond to her leaving home to begin a new chapter in her life?
Is the speaker a father or a mother? How would you explain your choice to another reader of the poem?
Independence!
My leaving the house for my first day of Grade 1 in 1969
I look sad. I wonder how my parents felt.
“Those Winter Sundays"
This poem appears on page 559, and it is written by Robert Hayden.
The speaker of this poem is an adult child recalling those winter Sundays when the father awoke early to light fires and to polish shoes.
While there are exceptions, the vast majority of parents want what is best for their children and want to protect their well-being. Think of times when your parents acted this way. What actions did they perform? How did you respond to their actions?
As you read this poem, consider your responses to these questions in relation to the contents of this poem.
Questions to Guide Your Reading
Why did the father perform these actions on a Sunday morning during the winter? After all, he worked all week and had earned the right to remain in bed on a Sunday morning.
How does the child view the actions of his or her father?
Is the speaker a son or a daughter? How would you explain your choice to another reader of the poem?
Some readers contend that the parent and the child have an abusive relationship, using the words “blueblack” (line 2) and “chronic angers” (line 9) to support their argument? Is their relationship abusive? Why or why not? What do these words mean?
Some readers state that parenting is a thankless job. What evidence exists in this poem to support that statement?
Mr. Leonard with His Father!
My father, my brother, and I roast marshmallows at a campground in upstate New York in spring 1968.
He always looked out for his children, but I did not always thank him. I should have, and I now regret that lack of thanks.
“To His Coy Mistress"
This poem appears on pages 528-529, and it is written by Andrew Marvell.
If you are unfamiliar with the term “pick-up line,” consult a dictionary for the definition. Also, use Google to learn about some well-known pick-up lines that maybe you have used or that have been used with you.
You enter a club, and while standing at the bar, a stranger approaches you and exclaims, “Well, here I am! What are your other two wishes?” Essentially, there is little difference between this pick-up line of the twentieth century and the one used by the speaker of this poem from the seventeenth century.
Continue reading for more information about the poem.
“To His Coy Mistress?"
This poem is considered a carpe diem poem.
For information about carpe diem, a Latin aphorism, read page 527, or click the link to access a relevant page on the website of the Encylopedia Britanica.
Link to click: https://www.britannica.com/topic/carpe-diem
For an analysis of the poem, click the link to access a relevant page on the eCollection Book (Gale) database.
Questions to Guide Your Reading
In this poem, the speaker presents his mistress with a three-part argument used to persuade her to consummate their relationship now rather than later. What are the three parts of the argument? What does he say in each part?
Does the speaker present a successful argument? Why or why not?
How would you respond to the argument if you were the coy mistress?
What about This Couple!
It looks as if another young man is attempting to persuade his coy mistress to consummate their relationship now rather than later.
What is she thinking?
“My Last Duchess"
This poem appears on pages 692-694, and it is written by Robert Browning.
If you are not already married, what are you looking for in a spouse? If you are already married, what were you looking for in a spouse?
For my second marriage, I wanted someone who exhibited no compulsive behavior, such as gambling, planned for the future, and had the same interests as I.
As you read this poem, determine if the duke displays the same qualities that you want in a spouse.
Questions to Guide Your Reading
Who is the speaker of this poem? What does he reveal about his character as he has a monologue with the representative of the count?
Some readers associate this theme with the poem—some characteristics in excessive amounts can undermine a person’s well-being. How does this poem relate to this theme?
Why did the duke marry his last duchess if she was so flawed in his opinion?
Time for a Wedding?
Robert Browning based the duke on Alfonso II, Duke of Ferrara in Italy. (For additional information about him, read the footnote at the bottom of page 692, or use Google.)
Based on the footnote and the contents of the poem, would you marry the duke? After all, he is rich and can shower you with expensive gifts every day of your marriage.
Anything Else?
Let me know if you have any questions or comments about any of these poems.
