Middle School Students at PPSEL have written reviews and analytical pieces from poetry based upon and from the Reconstruction Era.
Middle School Students at PPSEL have written reviews and analytical pieces from poetry based upon and from the Reconstruction Era.
The Fearless That Hasn’t Fallen
“I see the fear less stand”, by unknown author. In the poem “To William Lloyd Garrison “by unknown author shows symbolize, alliteration, and imagery throughout the poem talking about how God has chosen certain people to make a difference in, this society. This powerful poem show significant symbolism that gives a variation of emotions. For instance the poem says “Champion of those who groan beneath” representing the underworld and the mischievous unknowns. The poet creates symbolism representing society resolving from the struggles developing our nation to be successful. Since this is during the Reconstruction Era the title “To William Lloyd Garrison” could be from the perspective of a slave writing a letter to his loved ones pouring all of his emotions and thoughts on how society should change.
“To William Lloyd Garrison” includes great alliteration and rhyme. Alliteration in this poem helps transition all the stanzas’ more smoothly. At the beginning of the poem the mood is showing plethora amount of compassion and happiness, but in the middle of the poem there is darkness and depression that takes over all the joyful emotions. For example “human’s heart” would be considered alliteration and also “steadfast strength”, because both of the letters in the begging of the words start with the same letter. Those examples of the poem can transition or change the emotions of the audience.
With the use of imagery the author paints unique pictures in the audience’s head that can be glamorous or gory. Vast vocabulary in the poem forms in depth images to give the poem a broader and more powerful meaning. “Heart shall shell beneath tyrant’s rod” gives a visual of tyrant’s masterpiece (rod).
Every poem has vast important life lessons that can have a swirl pool of emotions and meanings. The poem “To William Lloyd Garrison” expresses how being fearless can change the world.
The idea of life and death is a very obscure topic, for even the highest of scholars. It is an inevitable truth feared secretly by all. Edgar Allen Poe puts this idea back into perspective with his invigorating poem, “The City in the Sea.” He has given us masterpiece of a poem filled with poetic devices, symbolism and thought provoking language. Immediately, he explains this place as where, “the good and the bad and the worst and the best, have gone to their eternal rest.” Saying that no matter how you were in life, we all go to the same place. Poe goes on to describe the riches of this city, saying, “But not the riches there that lie in each idols diamond eye-Not the gaily jeweled dead, tempt the waters from their bed; For no ripples curl, alas!” This, to me, means that no matter how much you had in your past life, money cannot buy virtue and place in heaven. This poem, as a whole, is describing the immorality and greed of humanity, and in the end, none of the “gaily jeweled dead” will ever make a change, and will be punished or rewarded accordingly. It’s talking about the inevitability of death and subordination. “The good and the bad” have gone to their death, meaning all people die, regardless of sin or not. In addition, cities are a subordinate of nature. In this case, this city, which I believe to be the fabled lost city of Atlantis because it was known for its temples, palaces, and towers, sinks into the sea. Even Hell is a subordinate to death, as it “shall do it (death) reverence” Ultimately, everything and everyone is forgotten. Perhaps death in Poe’s meaning is the death of human virtues. The shrines, palaces and temples represents our old beliefs, and “trembles not” because we once believed. However, they “resemble nothing that is ours” because our virtues by then, mean nothing and are forgotten. Maybe, the “rays of holy heaven” are our virtues trying to break through our immortal atmosphere, or in this case, the waters. The buildings he depicts in the second verse represent the hard work and integrity we once had, and how beautiful we used to be, but now, it has all sunk under the sea. In the third verse “I each idols diamond eye”, suggests that we, as a human race, brought this upon ourselves. That we are responsible for the death of mortality. “For no ripple curl, alas” may mean that no one is willing to rise and begin once again, a beautiful society in which humans follow virtues. However, in the fourth verse, Poe writes that “a stir is in the air! The waves-there is movement there!” suggesting that perhaps once more, humans have begun to feel a desire to work, to follow virtues and to believe in morality Later Hell, representing the old times when there were no virtues. Hence, ‘Hell, rising from a thousand thrones, Shall do it in reverence.” However, the beauty in poetry is that you can interpret it anyway you like, so please make of what you from this poem.
Death rules a lonely city in the far west, where the buildings are unknown and everything comes to rest by melancholy waters. Nighttime prevails here. Although in eternal darkness, light from the sea shines on the tower and death looks down from his tower. The graves lie open, but none of their riches tempt the still waters. Then, suddenly, a breeze causes some movement in the sea, which gains a red glow as if to resemble the coming of the underworld as the city begins to sink.
In the poem “The city by the sea” Edgar Allan Poe uses diction, symbolism, and imagery to create an effective and engaging piece. By beginning with the personification of death, “City in the Sea” quickly sets the tone of darkness and sorrow for the remainder of the poem. This exemplifies the gothic setting that Poe establishes in this piece. The city does not have a realistic location and instead takes place in a more romantic setting. The land promotes mystery for all. Poe’s Gothicism deals mainly with atmosphere and mood, and the loneliness of the city and its closeness with death help to set the increasing horror.
In “The city by the sea” the main meaning of the poem revolves around hard labor and death. Death rules the city, and from his tower he emphasizes the increasing death in the city. The city is located “far down within the dim west” which represents the direction of the setting sun and that symbolizes a large amount of death. The dead are “gaily-jeweled” which implies happiness and celebration, but they lie in open graves and they only have the energy of the waves. Eventually, the first sign of movement fails to save the city and it ands up sinking slowly. The city’s lack of willpower positions it as destined for doom and it begins to sink.
Mother-Nature
Shadows hunt the past of every soul. In “Dreamland” by Christina Rossetti, the poet creates a substantial tone, uses a variety of poetic devices, and portrays a steady theme. Dark sadness is the tone that is displayed. For instance, the author gives the girl a heavyhearted voice by the girl not having feeling of the rain. For example, “she cannot see the grain…”and “Rest, rest for evermore…”fulfill this emotionally drained persona the author is getting the point a crossed that the girl is leaving the fields of corn for the cold. “Sleep that no morn shall break…” sleep until there is no more pain. The tone goes from gloomy and cheerless to a depression period and a tearful and a scary part of moving on to another life.
“Rest, rest for evermore upon a mossy shore.” Repletion and rhyme are the two poetic devices used in “Dreamland”. Weep, deep, sleep all are at the end of the first paragraph, the rhyming is concise and on point. Furthermore repletion, “rest, rest, a perfect rest…” Rhyme, “… she cannot see the grain ripening on hill and plain…”
Afterlife is a big a solid word that fits the theme of this poem. “… Rivers weep their waves into the deep.” The rivers are weeping for the girl as she cries and the waves cutting into her emotions deeper and deeper. “ … Rest rest at the hearts core till time shall crease”; her heart will soon stop as she starts to see the other side of life. Sometimes death isn’t always pleasant as some might express. “Dreamland” has a sorrowful tone, beautiful poetic devices, and the influential theme.
The Phoenix of Opportunity
By: Savannah
Sunsets are beautiful and dangerous. They bring dark to the day and they can cover your sight. You may not be able to see, but you opportunity is out there, and once the sun comes back up, you can get on your feet and do what you do best... change the world. Even if the sunset is a gateway for dark to come in, it's also a gate opening to set you free.The poem "The Sun-Struck Eagle" by Eleanor Percy Lee, is a beautiful expression of life and freedom through symbolism, diction, and a powerful yet moving theme.
Symbolism is a form of expression. The word means something, but can easily imply something else. Lee demonstrates this in her poem by stating "and his dark eye, bent up to each beam of light." The meaning implied paints a picture of this eagle or man's situation. He is searching for every opportunity to change his life. She shows that a poor man can still have a chance in our whirlwind of a world. Furthermore, Lee indicates hopelessness in another line of her poem. "The dark eyes' glory, dim with pain." This quote speaks multitudes. It simply states that a chance for freedom was vigorously ripped away from the man and so he feels useless. Almost like a butterfly with no wings. His passion that he longed for is fading into his lonely depression that consumes his heart and you can see it in his eyes. The eye is a mirror of the soul, just as the diction is a mirror of the author.
Lee's terminology in her poem is clearly imported for she understands the target her arrow must hit. She precisely presents this spectacle throughout many stanzas of her ballad. "and the dark plumes quivering upon his breast." this division of the stanza defiantly fills the canvas and shows us the true colors on her picture. As well as, "Where the keenest ray of sun was thrown." is an excellent model of the vocabulary that helps us visualize the symbolic meaning and the hidden theme in the composition.

Theme is the overall effect or essence of the writing. Interpreting theme is much distinct to each individual. However, many themes may be alike. The theme interpreted from this poem is, even though you may be free, if the world doesn't want you to be, you must fight the battle hard, or you will plummet to no return. "Beyond the clouds I watched him tower." He wants freedom, so he can chase his dreams he has been longing for. "Reeling down from that height divine," he was falling into the void of hopelessness because he wanted freedom to mark his own path, but the world rejected it. Once his passion died, he would be pointless, useless, and the sun would go down again. The sun rises and the sun falls, but it must always come back up, it's in it's nature, it cannot resist.
The hand crafted art that was hard fought, proves to the world that even if freedom is just a touch away, it can fade, but maybe not forever.
Different on the Inside
“Gliding along at her liege lord’s side/Out shining all in that company.” “The Captive” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox sparks the curiosity of the audience; intriguing them to read on. Wilcox uses symbolism, a plethora of poetic devices, and the theme of everything is not what it sees on the inside to create an alluring piece of writing that urges the readers to see other’s perspectives in life.
A main factor in “The Captive” is the symbolism Wilcox uses to fill her poem with deeper meaning and influence her audience. For instance, Wilcox states, “With a pain in her heart as great as then/Zenobia walks again. Zenobia is more than a queen from 270 AD, she’s a comparison to the way that the bride in the poem feels. Zenobia and the millionaire’s wife both felt as though they were trapped to feel and be what was expected of them, which leads to a clear example of symbolism. When Wilcox writes about the old man, she doesn’t mean an actual “old man”. The old man symbolizes the society telling how the bride should be and what feelings she should have toward her life.
Another component, found throughout Wilcox’s poem, is the variety of poetic devices. Wilcox utilizes similes, metaphors, alliteration, and imagery to make her poem flow. Lines like: “A beautiful captive, all aflame,” and “She glides down the stairs like a thing of light” are not only figurative language, but words that create imagery in the mind and keep thoughts about Wilcox’s poem long after finishing reading it.
Lastly, the theme the author portrays, is one that many forget to acknowledge in life. In “The Captive” Wilcox’s choice of words make the theme seem subtle. For example, she says how “the people thought her a goodly sight,” and “With a pain in her heart,” which go much farther than the obvious meaning: lack of contentment. In other words, even though someone may have the ideal life, this doesn’t mean they are always content with it. Wilcox illustrates this theme by claiming that the woman in the poem is not happy with her life, while everyone around her thinks differently. This goes to show that if you aren’t in someone’s position, you don’t know what they are truly feeling.
All in all, “The Captive” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox is an extraordinary piece of writing. Wilcox not only includes a variety of poetic devices, but she uses symbolism to create a more meaningful theme than the words seem to have.
The Fires of War:
Ethan V
“If I should die, think this only of me: That there’s some corner of a field that is forever England. There shall be in that rich earth a richer dust concealed. A dust Whom England bore, shaped, and made aware.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow creates a stunning speech telling of a “foreign field” that he is completely devoted to, he continues to regard it with a patriotic awe and longing that only a man about to die could possess. “The Soldier” symbolizes WW1 and how it affected his life, all lives, and represented the sacrificial price that all wardens paid to protect their countries. The soldier in the poem describes his love of England and all of its beauty. How brave is he, to walk into battle knowing that he may lose it all, over the petty squabbles that human kind continuously fuels.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow creates the vision of the soldier by using imagery, and tons of it! The descriptions of England are incredibly detailed and through the plethora of lines he portrays how patriotic the soldier really is. In the poem the soldier describes the freshness and cleanliness of England, how it makes him proud to have a home country such as this one, and how he would sacrifice everything to save this country. The imagery shows his loyalty and commitment, to his fellow man and what measures he would take just to let others see and experience what he had. The most selfless act one can commit is to give up their life for another’s.
The idea of this poem was to portray that WW1 caused many, many things to change, it sparked us to move ahead. The author shows us this through the imagery, symbolism, metaphors, and the way he develops the character to get the message across. He is telling us to be joyful that we get to play that wonderful game of life and sometimes win the final prize of love. A soldier going to war has the strength to walk into battle thinking of all the things he loves and is fighting for, he of all people, of all times, is glad that he got to experience life.
Life and death
In this poem to William Lloyd garrison in the view of penury hate and death
I see the fearless stand still bearing up thy loftily brow .The fearless stand still bearing up thy lofty brow. The poet expresses to have no fear the cruel power of hate unjust doings against all people. The way a person behaves in manhood
Sealing well the vow the promised eternity in heaven if saved. Poet talks about the sadness passed on how people live die. I feel my pulsing thrill to speak in slumbering eternal sleep rest in peace. The enhancing the poem to sustain the meaning of the poem the life death experience The grim reaper taking lives away
From loved ones.
The Night before the Sunrise
“Till time shall cease; sleep that no pain shall wake, night that no morn shall break.” Death is beautiful, because the grave grows the flowers. The rainy road can lead to a brighter tomorrow. “Her face is towards the west, the purple land.” Shows the dignity I the author’s voice and how the woman is now free. Character is what’s buried inside, and comes out through the beauty in the ripening gain and the roses in hand. The poem tells how, if you are the ground and you’re the character is the roots planted that encourages making a difference. You decide on the plant that is planted, so you have a decision to make in the fruit you bare and harvest, or the fruit that falls into the ground and effects the growth of a new fruit tree.
To put it another way, when on a roller coaster, the best part is the downhill because it always follows with an uphill. An interpretation for “Dream Land” may be seen as slaying the despondence of life is the only way to break through the thorns to find your paradise. The overall message in this poem can be taken as, sometimes the most difficult things turn out the best. Everything that serves as an obstacle is only one step closer to being a better person. Without those obstacles, you would have no self-discipline and you would be an animosity to everyone.
On the Other hand, interpretations are always found to be opinionated, because everyone has a different thought process. To describe this poem as a dark poem, would be wrong. Though it talks of darkness, it waits for the light of day. The poem gears towards the young adult audience, because it inspires the next generation to stand up for what you believe in. The poem talks about beauty behind a curtain. Like a fashion show. The dress tells the dress makers character in the way he portrays the dress.
To conclude, depression isn’t what’s important in life, and this poem shouts that loud and clear! It tells us that you only live once so make it the best one you have. Regrowth, is the next generation to beauty.
Darkness inside us all
There is evil inside us all, still lurking in us since ancient times, searching for a place to corrupt our souls. ”For my people” by Margaret Walker, constructs alliteration, metaphors, and a mood that explains the depression and darkness when the poem was written. This poem summarizes the slaves and blacks rights throughout the Reconstruction period.
The first section of the writing shows that the blacks had nothing. For example for my playmates that play in the dust, sand, and clay, also their dirges and their dittes and their blue, shows that that they really had nothing to do but play in the dirt and do work.
In paragraph two it show that they had hope while they had to do work, like for my people spreading joy, and for my people blundering and grouping and floundering in the dark of churches clarifies that some had hope and some didn’t.
The third reason is that slaves had been treated with respect, such as for my people who are lending their strength to the years, as well as for my people thronging 47th street in Chicago, explains that the blacks are lending their strength doing work in the fields to thronging 47th street are examples of the blacks being treated horribly to moderate.
This poem teaches us sometimes don’t get treated with respect. In conclusion, for my people, by Margret Walker constructs alliteration, metaphors, and a mood that explains the darkness and depression during the Reconstruction Era.
A Hearts longing
Must I dwell in slavery’s night and pleasure take its flight far beyond my feeble sight forever? In a slaves complaint written by George Moses Horton during the reconstruction era a slave feels there is no hope and would rather die than go on. During the poem hope slowly emerges and by the end he is content to die a free slave.
This poem has symbolism, rhyme and mood to make you feel longing and sorrow throw-out this poem. For an example the first section of this poem says: Am I sadly cast aside on misfortunes rugged tide? Will the world my pains deride forever?
As well as Symbolism is showed through the language such as: freedom takes flight, dwell in slavery’s night, dreary maze and must hope grow dim and withhold her cheering beam? There are also rhymes like friend and end, night and flight.
The authors tone is shown in the poem empowering the language. Overall this poem shows to believe because there is hope even though you may not see it at first.
The cold body on the victory ship’s deck
“But I with mournful tread walk the deck were my captain lies cold and dead” The author in “O Captain! My Captain!” gives vivid detail to explain that you should notice the little things in life, for example the author includes imagery and detail in a line that says “here captain dear father this arm beneath your head” or there on the deck “lies my Captain cold and dead” these lines explain a fallen leader that is no longer with the people/crew because of their great battle. Another example would be “my captain does not answer his lips pale and still” this line explains a great leader who had fallen in to a dead silence. To conclude the author did a great job using imagery to explain the story.
The Second Industrial Age
“I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear…” Walt Whitman, “I hear America Singing.”
The poem, “I Hear America Singing,” speaks of the industrial amazement for jobs that are usually used for construction. He also uses the jobs hatter and shoemaker in his poem.
Factories can make much noise while producing inventory. Whitman says that the workers are, “singing.” Sometimes people say that machines are singing when they make noise. If Walt Whitman referrers to all of the industrial noise as singing, then that could be symbolism for saying there was a plethora of noise from industries building parts for the reconstruction of towns and/or cities damaged during the Civil War.
If Walt Whitman enjoys the noise, (shown by the voice of, “I Hear America Singing”,) then could that mean that Whitman needs the industry to make money?
Whitman uses a plethora of different jobs in “I Hear America Singing.” These jobs were constantly on-the-clock, so they would be singing, or making noise, (discussed in paragraph three.) If he needed to work in a factory to make money, then he might have been used to the noise. Therefore, he might refer to it as singing.
Walt Whiteman also uses other jobs in his plethora of industries.
Walt used jobs such as hatter and shoemaker in his long list of jobs in, “I Hear America Singing.”
A shoemaker could make work boots for factory workers and/or carpenters. A hatter can also make hard hats for construction workers and factory workers, and wide brim hats for carpenters, loggers, and woodsmen. These jobs would have been very important during the Reconstruction Era.
This poem is a good way to show people what jobs benefit from reconstruction, or the aftermath of a war; without using a possibly boring textbook format.
Truly, jobs like carpenter and factory worker benefited from the reconstruction of our nation in the aftermath of the horrible Civil War.
Even though we’re Far Away
By Kaitlyn
The war may part us but will not separate us. The love story written by Josephine Delphine Henderson Heard in her poem “Love Letters” is about two young lovers who are separated by the civil war. When reading the first stanza of the poem it introduces the first part of the tale, separation. “Must I with you part?” The young man must sever in the civil war and has to leave his love. Heard wrote this poem during the Civil War / Reconstruction Era in the south. Having the audience to infer that the young man left to sever the southern states of America.
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