I visualize a bustling, industrial city. A city filled with workers, dedicated to building and expanding. 

Vocab:

Question:

Why does the author repeat the industrial occupations stated at the beginning and at the ending of the poem? 

How does the author express the celebration of Chicago?

Summarize:

The author describes the bad side of Chicago, but then emphasizes the industrial side of the city. The industry workers are described as the pride of the city. 


Megan

I visualize an intimate moment between two people, together in their own bubble, isolated from the world.

Vocab:

Question:

Summarize:

In the poem, the author writes of someone swayed by the simple actions of another.  The speaker becomes unveiled and follows the commands given by the other.  Similarly to a person in love, the speaker becomes moved and in awe of every action, acting in complete devotion towards their partner.


Tu Nghi

I visualize a person watching a white spider on a flower, with its prey, a moth. 

Vocab:

Question:

What does the author mean by “What but design of Darkness to appall?--/If design govern in a thing so small”?

How does the author’s description of the spider contrast from the first stanza to the second stanza?

Summarize:

In this poem, the author allows the reader to think about the concept of “design.” In which, the world is destined by design. For example, the spider’s appearance allows it to camouflage on the flower, trapping the moth. 


Megan

I visualize a rough yet flimsy stone wall on top of a hill, separating two friendly neighbors.

Vocab:

Question:

If the speaker has questioned repairing the barrier to their neighbor, why has the speaker continued to fix their side of the wall?

What belief has the neighbor stuck on in response to keeping the wall between the two?

Summarize:

A stone wall separates the speaker and their neighbor.  When spring comes around, both journey a separate path together to repair the wall.  The more the speaker spends with their neighbor, the more they question the use of the wall.  Despite the speaker believing that the barrier between the two is useless, the neighbor insists on keeping the wall due to his beliefs growing up.


Tu Nghi