Analysis and Interpretation

HOTS: Distinguishing Different Perspectives

We have just learned about distinguishing different perspectives. Lets use that skill to help us analyze
the poem.
Answer the following questions:
1. What are the two perspectives in the poem?

2. In your opinion, who is "I" and who are "they" in the poem? _____________________

3. What is the final goal for the "I" and what is the final goal for the "they?
_________________________________

4. What do the I and the they have in common?

5. How does the "I" want this goal to be achieved?

6. How does the "they" want this goal to be achieved?

7. Do you, as the reader, have a more similar perspective to the I or the they? Explain your
answer. ______________________________________________________________________


8. What is the poets message? What do you think was Billy Collins reason for writing the poem?
______________________________________________________________________


9. How can you use the skill Distinguishing different perspectives in other areas of your life?
______________________________________________________________________