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I have wanted to read this play for a very long time. I was excited to see it on the reading list! I made a reading schedule to make sure I got all the reading done, with a few extra days to prepare before the outline was due. The first night I settled in to read my first ten pages, and didn't finish until it was over! I benefited a lot from finishing early because I was able to do a lot more research. As soon as we were made aware that Willy was talking to himself, I was sold, I am a true psychology nerd.

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This poem was written during the Feminist Movement during the 1970's and has an incredibly important message. However, this was my least favorite reading. I found it dull, but perhaps its plainness was purposeful to convey the ugliness the girl felt.

Nevertheless, the body image problems, generated by mainstream media and our society as a whole, are shameful. As this trend is likely to continue, it is important for mothers to empower their daughters, strengthening them with pride and confidence.

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Real Life Human Barbie Valeria Lukyanova

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Real-Life Barbie Doll: Model Valeria Lukyanova Transforms Herself | Good Morning America | ABC News

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ABC's Paula Faris has details on Valeria Lukyanova achieves her perfect look like her favorite doll, Barbie from Mattel. Lukyanova poses in a photo shoot for V Magazine to show that she is all real. SUBSCRIBE for the latest news and updates from ABC News ► http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=abcnews To read the full story and others, visit http://www.abcnews.com Watch more news stories from ABC News!

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"In fine, we thought that he was everything/ To make us wish that we were in his place."
In preparing for the second essay, I did extensive research on "Richard Cory," as well as a few of my other favorites from the unit, to determine which topic I felt most confidant writing about. Personally, I have never been one to judge something, or someone's, value based on its monetary value. The fact that money does have the ability to change people, usually for the worst, sickens me. On that note, research on this poem revealed that many people echo the confused lack of emotion the speaker possessed. Their tone expressing no sympathy or pity for this poor man, who for reasons unknown, decided to take his own life; rather, many were confused, indignant, even outraged. It seems like many are unable to reconcile the crushing emotions of despair and loneliness with the certain "joys" of great wealth. I found this fact. not only heartbreaking, but a sobering look at the state of humanity.

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They say that Richard Cory owns one half of this whole town, With political connections to spread his wealth around. Born into society, a banker's only child, He had everything a man could want: power, grace, and style.

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The repetition of "Thought by thought/ Beauty by beauty," is what gives the poem its rhythmic feel, familiar to Native American story-telling.

You can listen to Joy sing "Morning Song" on this website: http://www.allmusic.com/song/morning-song-mt0034655720

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I could never claim allegiance to just one of the meanings that are commonly used to explain Roethke's poem.

Throughout the poem, I consistently find support for both the balevolent and malevolent theories. However, unable to completely ignore various forebodings, I settled for a compromise. Perhaps the father is a little rough, perhaps the young boy is nervous, maybe even afraid; nevertheless, the poem's final lines leave the reader certain that the little boy loves his father dearly.

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Jarrell "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner" (1945)

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Jarrell "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner" (1945)

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I understand the basic concept of this tiny poem that ended in the Gunner's death. However, I have a nagging feeling that there is some multiple meanings scattered in the five lines, such as "mother's sleep," "dream of life," and "nightmare fighters." They all follow the t

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This poem is really creepy! At first glance, it seems relatively pleasant; kids at play, along with Cummings' silly word combinations, give this poem its child-like wonder.

However, one can neither ignore the repeated presence of the goat-footed balloonman; nor, refrain from questioning the intentions of a character described so nefariously.

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When I first read the poem, I had no idea the names were connected to victims of the 9/11 attacks. I could tell from the poet's tone, that to him, they bore a deep significance. Compelled to learn more, I turned to Google and quickly found a website, Remembering 9/11. The poet did a beautiful job memorializing the heroic and innocent victims of that tragic day. It is hard to believe it has been nearly 14 years since that terrible day. God bless them all!

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Poet Billy Collins Reflects on 9/11 Victims in 'The Names'

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America Remembers 9/11 | PBS NewsHour http://to.pbs.org/mVBUK4 Billy Collins was the U.S. poet laureate at the time of the 9/11 attacks. A year later, he wrote "The Names" in honor of the victims. He read the poem before a special joint session of Congress held in New York City in 2002, and reads it again now.

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I have a couple brooding, teenaged brothers that I could not help but envision when reading Brooks' poem. When they are hanging out in groups with their friends, they definitely radiate feelings similar to "We Real Cool."

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"We Real Cool" Gwendolyn Brooks 1959 poem LISTEN TO THE POET HERSELF!

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I lost someone very important to me recently. Due to my inexperience in dealing with death and my deep sadness, I chose to not attend the funeral; a decision that I regret. This poem embodies the devastation I felt after losing a loved one; and with such truth and beauty, I could not help but feel somewhat soothed.
Below is a scene from the movie, Four Weddings and a Funeral.

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Four Weddings and a Funeral - "Funeral Blues"

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John Hannah, playing Matthew, reads WH Auden's poem "Funeral Blues." The poem was first published by Auden in 1936 and became famous after it was featured in this film. Visit my channel for more films that quote poetry. (No copyright infringement intended. I do not own the content of this video and make no money from it.)

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The Duke is not described at all in this work; yet, he is an incredibly well-developed character. I especially enjoyed the way Browning used the structuring of the poem to intimate so many characteristics of the Duke.

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The first poem in the unit! At first I let it intimidate me, but only a little. I think I still have post-traumatic stress from the horrors of AP Literature in senior year; unlike Collins, she definitely did not inspire me to take off in adventure with my poetry. I really liked this poem, mostly because I could tell right away it was written by a teacher, and one that was passionate inspiring at that.

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"What did I know, what did I know/ of love's austere and lonely offices?" This line means a lot to me.

The poem is written about Hayden's adoptive father. His mother, described often as selfish and immature, turned over Hayden's care to her neighbors. It is also one of many written in remorse for his loss.

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I see the illustration of a metaphor for the ending of their relationship. Ben first becomes an ape, a small step away from the man she was familiar with. It is during this stage she pushes him away when he reaches for her, causing a rapid regression. Ben ultimately becomes a salamander and in fear of him regressing further to the point of disappearing completely (an illustration of her fear of nothing being left of the man she knew and loved) she opts to set him free. This act of sending him to sea represents her ending the relationship. She still holds hope for their relationship because she keeps her number listed in case he washes ashore again as a man. He will be a man again because if he comes back to her the familiarity of their love and his love for her will have returned.

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The divisive power within this family was their education level. The mother held a second grade education and Maggie could barely read, while Dee went off to receive a formal education along with an exposure to the world with its many ideals. Dee holds herself higher than her family, treating them as backwards and ignorant.

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Lawrence "The Rocking-Horse Winner" (1920)

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Lawrence "The Rocking-Horse Winner" (1920)

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"There must be more money."

"Better to be born lucky than rich. If you're rich, you may lose your money. But if you're lucky, you will always get more money."

This story is tragic and heart-breaking. Paul, a young child, resorts to gambling to try to gain his mothers love and provide her happiness. Right before his death, Paul insists to his mother he is lucky, whom ignores his plea and offers him no comfort. Paul's death from brain fever, created from stress, lack of sleep, and obsession, was a result of riding his rocking-horse until he knew the name of the winning horse.

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A story riddled with irony.

Though residents hold great authority to adhering to tradition, there is no consistency to what rules are followed and which are discarded. I find it unsettling, with the importance they tie to the lottery and the continuance of civilization, that there is no proper place the black box is stored after each lottery; in fact, they seem to just throw it anywhere until the next year. The inevitable outcome, seems to be the part of the ritual the town truly holds dear.

"Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered the stones."

The picture below is from The Hunger Games. The drawing for district tribute mirrors themes from "The Lottery".

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The story is set at Christmas time. A time of charity, of loving thy neighbor, and of selflessness. Phoenix is the only character that truly exhibits these qualities. She makes an arduous journey for her grandson's medicine and with what little money she mustered, wanted to buy him a windmill toy. While the hunter puts a gun to her face, the lady that helped her tie her shoes call her "grandma", and the aide condescendingly labels her a "charity case". Symbolism also plays an interesting role in this story's background.

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Henry returns from the Vietnam War changed, showing signs of PTSD. Lyman, missing the connection shared with his brother, tries reaching him using the convertible they purchased together. Knowing the deep love Lyman feels for his brother, Henry's suicide was probably devastating for him. He might face PTSD symptoms of his own.

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Many of the soldiers in Vietnam were often young, as seems the case with Jimmy Cross. His mind often carried away with daydreams of Martha. One of his musings r esulted in the death of Lavender; a death he blamed himself for having not protected his men adequately because his mind was elsewhere.

The burning of Martha's letters and pictures symbolizes his turning away from youth and any preoccupation he had with a world outside War.

The picture below is of The Tiger Force Soldiers circa 1968. A group of young men who undoubtedly faced similar tragedies, forced to grow up way too soon.

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When Victor should be filled with pride, it seems like he only feels sadness for his brethren. He wishes he could empower his people. "Why should we organize a reservation high school reunion? My graduating class has a reunion every weekend at the Powwow Tavern." This sarcasm emphasizes the dismay he feels in acknowledging that his people remain stuck in their ways.

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Emily's lack of social interaction is probably not the only thing that drove her to reach such an irrational conclusion. Her father's controlling, and seemingly violent, manner likely contributed to her insanity;

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A lonely old woman set in her routine fancies herself, along with the others in the park, all actors on stage.

When she is snubbed by some younger concert-goers, she hurries home, and cries. Perhaps in fear that in her age she no longer has a role to play.

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It is disheartening that at such an early age these young girls seem well aware of race and prejudice. Coming from a school where there was only one white student, maybe it is more a fear of differences; nevertheless, it is sad.

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“Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger.”

A boy, bored with his life, longs for the girl next door. After many hiccups, he finally makes it to his exotic bazaar only to face utter disappointment. The bazaar is closing, he finds no gift (not that he had enough money for one), and it is not exotic in the least.

The boy's anguish not only from failing to procure a gift for his crush, but probably also from a realization that the crush will amount to nothing as well.

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After a night of drunken embarrassment, she was finally able to get over her "love-sick" depression.

"It was the terrible and fascinating reality of my disaster; it was the way things happened."

I can definitely relate to her dramatic reaction after my first love and first heartbreak.

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"Free! Body and Soul free!"

Louise inwardly exalts in the freedom brought by her husband's death.

She is overjoyed thinking of the life "she would live for herself." But alas he is alive. Her freedom is taken and the tragedy of that loss kills her.

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"...my stomach kind of fell as I felt how hard the world was going to be to me from here on in." Sammy realizes that his attempt at impressing the girls was foolish and in vain. He obviously is of a lower class than the girls and can not financially afford rebellion like theirs.

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It is a shame that Austen fails to realize the sinister nature of the old man, as well as his potion. His deep love for Diana blinds him. Although the potion may conjure her obsession, her love will be false.