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Textbookpage

TOAWATENFOWL
Theme

Ytrilliam Cullen Bryant

Ii9

Theme is the central insight into life, or main idea, that a work of literaftre expresses.

Understanding Theme Below are lines from '"To directed.

a

Waterfowl." In each set of lines, identi$ the.thematic phrases as

1.@

LfrUffir#*Wryry
}tr fi

(lines 13-16)

undefline the phrase expressing the speaker's berief in GodCrr:cterlre phrase that means ttrat God, in the speaker's view, guides the bird. 1/. Vata wavy line under the plrrase that means that alttrough the bird travels alone, it receives divine prooection.

scream among thy fellows;reeds shall bend, Soon, o'er thy sheltered nest." (lines 2l-24)

Underline the phrase that means that the bird's work will soon be over. ,WChcle the phrase that says that the bird wilr find a relaxing reward' 3. ttHe who. from zone z.one to-zgAg, fo zone

,.d,-ounderline the phrase that means that each person's path in life is a long one. r{Crcle the phrase that rneans that each person must go through life on his or her own. a wavy line under the phrase that means God will guide the speaker's way.

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Review and Response Worksheets: Elements of Literafure, Fiffii Course

Applying Skills.
Below are statements about themes. Circle the numbers of the statements that Bryant" based on themes in'*To. aWaterfowl," would nof agree with.

l.
2.

A divine force protects birds and people in much the same way.
Warching nafire, we realize that we are in good hands as we travel through life.

OIh.* is no mercy in this world, Yrc live our lives alone, yet we are protected in a way we don't completely understand.

tft"*t

5. God

is basically good.

is a blank; it teaches us nothing.

is a fearsome thing.

(rtlature
8. Birds
( 9.

are as intelligent as human beings. hunters.

Ifh* lone-wandering bird is easy prey for

10. Thc wise person, like the waterfowl, trusts io divine providence.
Reader's Response Below are three possible thematic stataments about birds inqpired by *To the number of the statement you agree with mos[
a

Warcrfowl.'Circle

1. Bfuds Iive short, senseless lives and so do human beings. 2. pirds are more beautiful than ttrey themselves realize, and so ane human
'5, Though birds
seem vulnerable, they are actually under divine protection.

1..

beings.

Heview and Response Worksheeb: Elements of Ulerature, Fifth Course

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THANATOPSIS
Tbne and Diction

TVilliam Cullen Bryant

Textbook page 142

prtly in the poet's dictio*-choice of words.

Understanding Tone and' Diction

Tone is the attitude of the poet or speaker toward the subject or the audience. It can be found

Below are passages from'"Ihanatopsis." On the blanks provided, answer the questions about tle tone and diction of tlre passages.

1.

". . . When thoughts Of the leEt bfier hour come like a blight Over thy spirit, and sad images Of the glgagony ffishroud *dIBU' gines 8-11)
List five words that make the passage gloomy.

2. "And bpathle&t darkness and the narrow house Make thee to Sddqr and grow qig"k at heart," (lines 12-13)
List four words evoking fear or discomforl

3.
She has

And eloquence ofGut-y;and she@g_ mto nFdffimusffiwirh a milffAnd hpa[lg sympat]ry that stealsaway" (lines 3-7)

'. . . for his gayer hours avoice of gladness, and a smile

List six words that create

a gentle, pleasant tone

in this passage.

4.

". . . in the cg]d-rsuaC;Where tny p4* form was te.i*is,:rran}irears]1- (lines 19-20)
List three words evoking
a creepy

or deathly feeling.

rhe planets,

-r1

;;'tl?iism

l}?eur"r,,,

(tines 45-46)

List two adjectives that create

a tone

of majesty in the piusage.

Beview and Ftesponse Worksheets Elements of Literature, Fifth Course

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