Barbie Doll

If this poem were written about men instead of women A good title for it would be "Heman". Men are expected to be tough and masculine, so saying "boys don't cry" and "toughen up" would be things that a boy would hear as a child. As they grow they may be called "a girl" or "sissy" becuase they are scrawny and quiet. Parents expect boys to be athletic and fast, able to endure painfuland exhausting activities. If they are not or enjoy other activities besides sports they are thought of as wierd or not masculine. When they grow into adults boys should be successful and have a big house with a perfect famliy. The poem would be written more formal to show how proper and perfect men should be. The words and tone of the poem would be strict and make the reader feel that they can not live up to the expectations of others. Boys tend to feel like they can not live up to the expectations of their fathers and that they disappoint them. This would be another point to express in this poem.

Ozymandias

This poem is how nothing lasts through time. The traveler told the speaker of this statue he had found that no longer stood solid. "Nothing beside remains. Round the decay of that colossal wreck," (Lines 12-13). The traveler was saying that like this statue that is left alone and decaying, so is this king long gone and forgotten. Now what is left is the wrecked remains of his success. This king had boasted confidence in himself with the saying that was "stamped" on this statue, "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" (Lines 10-11). The king was warning others to see how mighty he was and to fear him, so now it seems almost silly that this statue was in shambles and not very mighty looking anymore. The speaker of this storyhad heard this story from someone else and felt that it was important enough to retell. The other speaker was the traveler that had told what he had found to the first speaker. His statement of how the saying that was carved in the statue mocked the creator of this work that is no longer standing. All that is left are the remains of his work in sand that stretches on and on.

Irony in "Porphyria's Lover"

Robert Browning's poem entitled "Porphyria's Lover" utilizes both dramatic and situational irony. The irony makes the poem unpredictable and exciting, yet horrifying and disturbing. It also reveals much about the mental state of the speaker.
According to our textbook, dramatic irony "occurs when a speaker believes one thing and readers realize something else"(Kirszner & Mandell, 719). In this poem, dramatic irony is used when the speaker states, "I am quite sure she felt no pain" (line 42). Although he seems to adamantly believe his statement, the reader knows that as the victim of a strangling, Porphyria must have felt some pain. Another point at which dramatic irony occurs is when the speaker says that Porphyria now has her "utmost will" (line 53), as she is joined with him forever. However, the reader knows that Porphyria's will was to seduce her lover and gain his affection, not to lose her life.
Situational irony "occurs when the situation itself contradicts readers' expectations" (Kirszner & Mandell, 721). Of course, the most obvious example of situational irony in "Porphyria's Lover" is the fact that this evening tryst ends in murder, instead of the expected seduction. Another example of situational irony occurs after the murder of Porphyria. One would think that her lover would jump back in horror over what he had done, or try to hide his sin, yet he just sits there with her, as though she were still alive (lines 58-59).
Thus, both the dramatic and situational ironies help to reveal the mental instability of the speaker, as he acts much differently than a sane person would under his circumstances.

Tone in "Porphyria's Lover"

“Porphyria’s Lover”, by Robert Browning, uses dramatic monologue to add a dark tone to the poem. With this tone, he gives the reader an insight into the speaker’s state of mind, which turns out to be quite disturbing. At the beginning we are simply finding out about this relationship with Porphyria, and all seems well as the speaker talks about how she “glided” in and “kneeled and made the cheerless grate [b]laze up, and all the cottage warm” (lines 8 and 9). From there the speaker starts to add a little tension by saying in line 15 “When no voice replied,” by doing this he is making the reader draw in and focus on what is going to happen next. As the poem continues we make a startling discovery, he kills her,"No pain felt she; I am quite sure she felt no pain" (lines 41 and 42), but none the less the speaker’s voice and demeanor never changes; creating an eerie feeling. Additionally, the fact that the speaker seems to be telling a story, never mind the reality of him committing a murder, adds to this sinister tone.

Tone in "Porphyria's Lover"

This poem starts out with the first two lines describing a calm evening, but soon in line 3, it starts to gain some momentum when it says, "It tore the elm-tops down for spite," this referring to the strength of the wind. The tone changes again from being stormy outside to being calm inside when Porphyria enters in line 7. In line 9, the speaker tells the reader, "...all the cottage warm." The tone given in lines 7-9 gives the reader a cozy and comfortable feeling even though in line 11 it is said that she had a "dripping cloak and shawl." In line 15 when Porphyria calls his name and there is no reply, she simply "puts his arm about her waist" in line 16. This could have easily been an intense moment, but nonetheless, the reader still has that cozy feeling inside. The next several lines (17-34) still contain that cozy feeling while she tells her lover that she does indeed love him and he realizes that she "worships him." This is when the tone makes a turning point in the poem. He is debating what to do, and finally he decides to "strangle her with her own hair" in line 41. He doesn't seem to think she felt any pain and seems to be simply happy that Porphyria's wish came true (line 57). From lines 58 to the end, he is happy that she died with him and that he can have her love forever more!

Tone in "To His Coy Mistress"

In the poem “To His Coy Mistress” Andrew Marvell uses a non-serious tone, even though the reality of the poem is on a very serious subject. This poem also uses hyperbole, which helps contribute to the depth of the tone. The yearning and search for love in this poem is cut and dry. Marvell uses hyperbole and a fairytale tone in order to break up the conflict that the poem in tells. Line twenty-four states, “Deserts of vast eternity.” (Marvell, 783). This hyperbole tells the reader the exact exaggeration of his love for his mistress is and will be. The descriptiveness in this poem also helps set the tone. Line thirty four and thirty five state, “Now therefore, while the youthful hue sits on thy skin like morning glew.” (Marvell, 784). By writing with description, Marvell is able to show his true feelings for his mistress. Also the way that Marvell uses playful words helps contribute to the tone of the poem. It also lets the reader know that the poem is nonchalant.

Unit 9-Entry #2

If the poem “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy was updated to today’s “Bratz Doll” many items would change. First of all the “Bratz Doll” is very materialistic. So the poem would focus on being able to purchase items and not being able to purchase items. The poem would point out the pressure to have the latest fashion in order to “fit in” or be “accepted.” The updated version of the poem would point out that if you had a low economic status than you would be judged or perhaps ridiculed for that. The “Bratz Doll” also wears a plentiful amount of make-up. Young children and preteens would get the idea that by wearing a lot of make-up makes one beautiful. Also the “Bratz Doll” Displays clothes that show the dolls stomach accompanied with a skirt that is too short. By having this displayed on the doll the poem would also dig into body image. The “Bratz Doll” is much like a “Barbie Doll,” but each are different in their own way.

Unit 9 -Topic 1-A

The key concept in the poem “Ozymandias” that the author Percy Bysshe Shelley is trying to get across to the reader is that once you die you cannot take valuable items with you. The imagery in this poem is a key concept in developing the theme. The fourth line states, “Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown.” (Bysshe Shelley, 721). This helps the reader imagine that in the desert their lies a valuable piece, but at the same time nobody is able to see it, because after all it is in the desert. In this poem one gets to discover the multiple speakers that are presented. Each has their own different view, that add to the depth of the poem. The first one the reader encounters is the speaker. He is telling the story. This adds to the poem in the fact that this “great encounter” is worth telling and it shows meaning to the poem. The first line states, “I met a traveler form an antique land.” (Bysshe Shelley, 721). Right from the start one can tell that the information presented by the traveler is valuable, therefore it is worth telling to a complete stranger, the speaker. The traveler is also a speaker that gives meaning and relevance to the poem. The main point in this poem is that vanity items never last. However the poem describes some items that do last. Lines six and seven state, “Tell that its sculptor well those passions read which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,” (Bysshe Shelley, 721). This helps explain that passion and one’s own personality, dignity, and memories will never die, but their possession will in time.

My Last Duchess

The Duke is a obsessively jealous and possessive person. After her death, he has her picture painted where he can have it hung behind this curtain, with only he can pull that curtain to look at her or show to whomever he pleases "since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you, but I" Browning (703). His jealousy is seen throughout the poem, were she looks at Fra Pandolf and the Duke gets upset, thinking she should only look at him that way.

The poem states that he sees himself as very important and the duchess should see herself as grateful to have married such a great person, as he gave her his name. "My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old-name" Browning (703).

It appears that their marriage was not filled with much happiness, the once happy duchess who used to smile became very unhappy in her marriage. "Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt,, Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped altogether" Browning (703). His need for possession lies in this painting on the wall of her. She was an object in their marriage that he could possess and control. Just like the painting on the wall. He can control the curtain that it hides behind.

"Iron Man"

When growing up, family, peers along with TV and magazines have a great impact on youth and society as a whole. They display the male figure as being very strong and tough. This is shown with the six pack abs and the huge biceps along with the pretty face.

When a boy grows up they may see themselves as not very attractive or scrawny. Giving them a negative body image of themselves. This is where increased steriod use is seen along with the need to lift weights and workout, to try and achieve this body image.

Parents also play a big role in the male image. The father expects his son to be tough not only on the outside but in the inside also "boys don't cry". The male is the one that is expected to join the military to fight for our country. They are the ones that get drafted during the time of war.

In society, the boys are the ones that play the tough sports, (Football, Hockey, Wrestling). Even though these days you see more girls joinging these sports, this was seldom ever heard of 20 yrs. ago.

Blog Entry #2 - Unit 9

"Barbie Doll"
Address how the imagery in the poem could be updated for a more modern take on the female experience:

In the first stanza, the speaker is describing what kinds of toys girls used to get such as "dolls that did pee-pee." Today, girls get dolls like Bratz Dolls or the big Polly Pockets Dolls that are similar to small barbies. Also in this stanza the speaker mentions "stoves and irons" which don't really have a replacement in today's world of little girls' toys. Some girls still get this kinds of toys only they do more - such as make noises of running water from the play facet or boiling water on the stove.

In the second stanza, the speaker discusses girls having "strong arms and back." Today there is more emphasis on exercise and physical activity instead of playing video games or watching television indoors. Years before, kids did not have those kinds of toys so they were more active and were forced to entertain themselves. One of the things in this stanza that has not changed a whole lot is appearance. In line eleven, the speaker states, "Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs." Girls are constantly judging other girls based on appearance. Although there is more emphasis on being happy with what you have today, there is still some judging going on. Girls and women of all sorts are expected to be skinny before they can be beautiful.

in the third and final stanza, the speaker tells how a girl is advised to behave - coyly. The speaker goes on to say, "Her good nature wore out like a fan belt." This meaning that people can only take so much criticism before they have finally had enough and can not take it any longer. The speaker goes on to talk about the "casket" and the "undertaker's cosmedics" implying that a girl died. In lines twenty-four and twenty-five the speaker says, "Consummation at last. To every woman a happy ending." These last two lines are meaning that the ultimate end or finish is here.

Blog Entry #1 - Unit 9

Discuss how the poem "Ozymandias" develops the theme that "nothing lasts":

How does the imagery in the poem reinforce this theme?
In line one, the speaker makes reference to "antique land" which means that it's getting old. Something getting old makes a reader realize that "nothing lasts." In line two of this poem, the speaker says, " Two vast and trunkless legs of stone..." and by reading the information after the poem, the reader finds out that this line means that the statue had shattered in the desert, which the word shatter implies that the statue indeed did not last. In line four, the speaker states, "...a shattered visage lies..." again using shattered to imply that not even the visage (being the appearance of a human or even animal) does not last. In line seven the speaker says, "which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things..." which to the reader means that at that moment things are surviving, but maybe they find themselves asking at that point, how much longer will they survive? Also, this line allows the reader to acknowledge the fact that there are already "lifeless" things around. Both of these points imply that "nothing lasts." In line twelve the speaker says, "Nothing besides remains." This to the reader implies that "nothing remains." Also in this same line (line 12), the speaker makes reference to the word "decay" which means there has been some deterioration whcih also means that "nothing lasts."

How do the various speakers in the poem contribute to this theme?
It is hard to explain by writing or typing, but what a reader gets out of a piece of literature, especially poetry, has a lot to do with how the reader reads it. Changing how the reader reads the poem, gives them a different perspective and interpretation on the tone of the work, even on the imagery and irony they get out of the literature.

Though "nothing lasts" the poet seems to suggest some things outlast others. What outlasts what in this poem?
A reader might think to themselves after reading this poem that monuments outlast lives of any living thing because monuments are meant to last "forever." Living things are meant to reproduce and then die. That's how the world works.

Mr. Everything

If I had the opportunity to rewrite the poem "Barbie Doll," I would write about the conflicting pressures boys and men face in society today, and entitle my poem "Mr. Everything." Males of today are in a constant struggle to fit the ever-changing mold set for them by our society. We give young boys toy guns and trucks and superhero suits, yet expect them to be gentle, caring, and sensitive. Then when they are being sensitive, we tell them to be more manly. Yes, they face constant pressure to be masculine, so that no one will think they are gay, yet they can't act too masculine, or we will tell them they are chauvinistic or macho. We are frustrated when they don't share their feelings with us, but when they do, we tell them to toughen up, and that "boys don't cry." As the girl in " Barbie Doll" was teased for having a fat nose and thick legs, young men are teased for being fat, or skinny, or for having acne, or being too smart, or not smart enough. Is it any wonder that nearly every school shooting has been instigated by a young man? Just as the young girl in "Barbie Doll" killed herself due to her overwhelming sense of inadequacy, my poem would end with a young man killing himself and others to let out the feelings he felt he could never let out while living.

Theme to "Porphyria's Lover" by Leah Siewert

Robert Browing tells the story of a crazy lover in his work "Porphyria's Lover".  When one begins reading the poem the theme of love is shown.  One can see that the narrator has been waiting for this moment when he states, "And, last, she sat down by my side And called me.  When no voice replied, She put my arm about her waist" (719). It is as if it is too good to be true that his love has finally come to him and he was unsure it was reality.

He described her, "So, she was come through wind and rain," showing she had defeated the elements in order to make it to her true love (719).  Also, prior, the reader sees the love in, "Murmuring how she loved me" (720).  In reading we believe that she does love him so and he the same.  We are somewhat happy in the fact that they have finally come together as from the writing we are given the impression it has been some time for this to finally be.

Suddenly, the story takes a turn in that he does not know what to do now that he finally has his love.  "Made my heart swell, and still it grew  While I debated what to do" (720).  He is over taken by his love for Porphyria, he is so happy she has come to him yet afraid she will leave him again, perhaps.  When he strangles her with her own hair he believes that she does not feel any pain.  

In the closing lines he knows what he has done yet focuses on them being together, "And all night long we have not stirred, And yet God has not said a word" (720).  He and his love are together as he had dreamed in the past.  

Barbie Doll

If I were to rewrite Barbie Doll in the man version I would rename it Ken Doll, because the male version of Barbie is named Ken. I would talk about the peer pressure that male go through like who is stronger than who, who eats more, who is better at sports, when in teenage years who is more mature than the others. The image I would want to present to my reader is that no matter how strong you are, no matter who is better at sports everyone is good at something, be proud of who you are and do not worry about what others are thnking or saying about you because in the end that is not what matters.

Barbie Doll

If I were to rewrite this poem from male perspective and aimed at the male gender, I think I would name the poem "He Man". This would give the idea of being strong, bold and manly. The poem would focus on the peer pressures involved with boys. Boys normally fight physically rather than with words so it would probably focus on boys trying to pick fights with other boys. Some of the issues boys get hurt over are physical strength, their abilities, the way they talk and the way they carry themselves. I would probably use more strong tones that focus on pointing out the strengths and weaknesses that are associated with the male gender.

My Last Dutchess

The speaker is a man who has lost his wife, his Last Dutchess. I think he is a wealthy man who could afford to have the best painter in his area paint this portrait. When I read this poem the first time, I thought this man to be selfish and uncaring because he was keeping hidden the portrait for only his eyes but when I read it through a few more times, I think he was a jealous man but yet he was saddened by her death at this young age. He is turning the portrait "into her" so to speak, making up for her loss by keeping the portrait close t him. He is seemingly an outspoken person on the outside but I think he is quite shy on the inside. Many of us try to cover out true selves by pretending to be someone we are not. It seems like he is talking to this count about the count's daughter and how he wants to marry her but he also seems to be talking to us, as an audience, trying to convey his true self.

Barbie Doll - GI Joe

If this poem where to be about men I would rename it “GI Joe”. In this poem I would use the classic all- American symbols for masculinity, such as sports, cars, dating (girls to be specific), and financial success. “Barbie Doll” speaks of the expectations young girls have today, I would do the same in “GI Joe” but for the opposite sex. Young men are supposed to be athletic and strive in any of the hundreds of sports out there; they are also expected to take an interest in cars, right? As far as dating goes, the more they bed, the manlier they are; and God forbid they are gay, then they wouldn’t be manly at all. As they grow up, a man will have a nice job to go along with his nice house.
I would use words that are hard, strong, and to the point, to portray to the reader that this is how it is and how it should be.
In reality, young people today are faced with enough pressure, peer or otherwise. “Barbie Doll”, “GI Joe”, or any other poem about the pressure society places on our youth is bringing to light the fact that these pressures are unrealistic; no one can be perfect.
FYI: I do not really believe in what I wrote about men; I was merely just getting my point across about unrealistic expectations.

"Barbie Doll" for Boys - Ken Doll - by Leah Siewert

Not a very original title to change it too but this writer is exhausted from the past week.

One could change this poem into one regarding young men physical and intellectual ideas may still be utilized. To liven it up even more one could change the state of a young gay man which would even fill in with the current writing.

In order to change it to a young man's poem one would look at the toys young boys play with. The trucks, guns, cowboys and Indian type games they played. They too may test intelligent. There are instances of young men who have issues with their looks just as young woman have. A male though may have an issue with being shorter than others his age or may have had a comment he could not let go regarding his masculinity.

This is a horribly written blog. Overall it is a sad poem in the fact that the young girl let the thoughts and ideas of others intrude upon her life in such a way. The same could happen to a young man and in all reality has done so over the years.

"My Last Duchess" by Leah Siewert

The speaker in "My Last Duchess" is a man who is speaking about a portrait of his wife who has passed on. In the fact that she is on the wall and in the first sentence is explained, "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall," gives the reader the belief that he has money. At first one believes he is explaining and reliving the love he had for her. When one reads, "My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name," if you haven't already, you begin to think he is more about his money, title, and one should be so lucky to be with him.

His tone seems rather condescending at times and makes it hard to like him.

It is a difficult poem to understand. The love of his Duchess is apparent throughout the reading, though is it true love he speaks of for her or having her hang on the wall only for himself to see?

Reading the poem and the information preceding it is given away that he is speaking to an emissary who is there to arrange the second marriage of the speaker of the poem.

Ozymandias

In Ozymandias the speaker directly says in line 12 that nothing remains, in other words nothing lasts, which is how he develops the theme that nothing does last. The imagrey in this poem reinforces the theme because they say alot about where they are like how "they are on antique land" and on sand, it really helps with imaging it in your head to see what it looks like. Ozymandias outlasts himself in this poem.

"Ozymandias"

One major theme of Percy Bysshe Shelley's "Ozymandias" is that nothing lasts. The diction and irony of this poem each help to develop the theme that all earthly things shall decay.
The speakers' word choices portray Ozymandias as a once great, now forgotten, ruler. The traveler initially describes the statue of Ozymandias as "Half sunk," shattered," (line 4) "wrinkled," and "cold" (line 5), as though he were describing a corpse. It is eventually revealed that Ozymandias was once thought to be the "king of kings," so the use of such diction implies a great change in the esteem of this leader.
The words on the pedestal present such an irony from the initial description of the statue. One is led to believe from the first five lines of the poem that the statue was worthless, discarded without care. However, the inscription tells the reader that at one point, the mightiest of rulers feared this man. Yet at his death, all of his power was stripped away, and he is now but a forgotten statue, broken on the "lone and level sands" (line 14).
Thus, both the diction and irony used within the poem help the speaker to support the theme that nothing lasts on this earth.