Reading lesson 7

NATURE, the gentlest mother

Impatient of no child

The feeblest or the waywardest,-

Her admonition mild

In forest and the hill

By traveler is heard,

Restraining rampant squirrel

Or too impetuous bird.

How fair her conversation,

A summer afternoon, -

Her household, her assembly,

An when the sun goes down

Her voice among the aisles

Incites the timid prayer

Of the minutest cricket,

The most unworthy flower.

When all the children sleep

She turns as long away

As will suffice to light her lamps;

The, bending from the sky,

With infinite affection

And infiniter care,

Her golden finger on her lip,

Will silence everywhere.

Part I.

1. What did you think of the poem?

2. Did you enjoy this poem? Why or why not?

3. Choose one or two of your favorite lines of the poem and tell why you choose them. Be specific. What made you choose those particular lines instead of others?

Part II.

Please respond to the following questions, you may to review lesson 4.

* Remember Personification is one type of figurative language where an idea or object is given human characteristics.

1. What examples of personification can be found in Emily Dickinsonâs poem "Nature, the Gentlest Mother?" Please list at least two and explain your response.

2. Conduct an online search and find two examples of each of the following written by other authors. Make sure to cite where you find your examples.

a. Personification

b. Hyperbole

c. Metaphor

d. Simile

3. Write your own example of each of the following:

a. Personification

b. Hyperbole

c. Metaphor

d. Simile

4. Studentâs Choice:

Conduct a search at your local library or online and explore more of Emily Dickinsonâs poetry. Read several selections and choose two that you like the most and respond to the following:

a. Personification

b. Hyperbole

c. Metaphor

d. Simile

e. Did you enjoy reading this work? Why or why not? Would you read it again?

f. What is your initial impression of the work? What do you think it is about? Who is the author speaking to in this particular poem?