88 Matching Annotations
  1. Dec 2015
    1. in my dreams you walk dripping from a sea-journey on the highway across America in tears to the door of my cottage in the Western night

      This whole line gives me a sense of a long perilous journey finally coming to a close. In the context of this poem, the narrator could be dreaming that his long struggles, which could be of insanity, have finally come to a peaceful end.

    2. where there are twentyfive thousand mad comrades all together singing the final stanzas of the Internationale

      This line makes me think of a unity between all the individuals being described as insane. In addition, singing is an group activity and maybe all of these individuals have come together to create a more powerful voice as opposed to being a single voice which could make an individual seem weaker.

    3. Paradise Alley

      Is there a reason behind the name of this area? The name seems unfit for the area, since the poem is being described as dark and showcases a lot of negative actions being performed by the people.

    4. ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night,

      This quote reminds me of Henry Adams' work "The Dynamo and the Virgin." The words "heavenly" makes me think of the idea of learning from the teachings of the Church in "The Dynamo and the Virgin." On the other hand, the word "dynamo" and "machinery" makes me think of the idea of learning from the technological teachings that were talked about in "The Dynamo and the Virgin."

    5. best minds of my generation

      Who is Solomon referring to in this quote?

  2. Nov 2015
    1. Only a cock stood on the roof-tree Co co rico co co rico

      Image Description The rooster like the singing grass can be represented as a sign that the rain is coming to the land. Usually, the sound of a rooster indicates an awakening due to the sunrise coming up. But, in this case the rooster can be signaling the plants to awaken and be aware that the rain is approaching to rejuvenate them. Not only could the rooster be signaling the plants, but also it could be letting the people know of the arrival of the rain. The people probably have been desperate for the rain to come and to hear the rooster’s calls lets them know that the rain is going to bring a fresh beginning to their land. The rooster is like a messenger that sends a message through its calls. The call of the rooster in this case instead of being a call of a new day is the call of new life being brought to this dry land.

      In lines 100-103 of the poem, it mentions Philomel who is transformed into a nightingale in Greek mythology and that she cries in the desert with the words "Jug, Jug" while the world continues. This situation is similar to the instance with the rooster since both birds are singing in an area that is dry. In addition, both birds are singing while activity is happening in the dry places with the rooster singing while the thunder and rain is affecting the drought stricken land and the nightingale singing while life is continuing in the desert area. It could be that both of these birds are singing to symbolize some activity in their area whether it be the weather or daily life.

    2. In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing

      Image Description The grass singing is an example of a form of anthropomorphism. Eliot could be using the grass as a sign that the rain needed by the land is coming. Grass also represents growth and in this context the rain will be able to provide the land with the water needed for the plants to grow. With plants being a form of life, the grass can sort of represent life in a way. Grass needs water to survive so the singing can be the grass's way of feeling joyful and relieved that the rain is finally coming. Another interpretation the grass can represent is the present and the past. With the sign of rain, the land will be filled with new life in the form of healthier plants so the past of the drought can be forgotten and washed away by the rain. Along with the sound of the grass being a form of anthropomorphism, the sounds can also relate to nature with the sounds coming from the animals or other natural phenomenons. The grass could be a motif to provide a natural imagery to the poem along with the rain and thunder.

      In the poem, line 353 says, "And dry grass singing", which comes before the line that mentions grass singing in the moonlight. This could also serve as evidence that the rain has come and made the grass moist and wet which resulted in the grass possibly "singing" due to being given growth and life again.

      Usually the growth of plants is known to happen during the springtime. In the poem, line 327 says "Of thunder of spring over distant mountains", which suggests that the season is springtime in this poem. In addition, line 355 of the poem says "Where the hermit-thrush sings in the pine trees", which most likely indicates springtime due to birds mostly singing during the spring. Overall, with the spring season the grass is singing to welcome their new growth.

  3. Oct 2015
    1. The strong men keep a-comin’ on The strong men git stronger.

      These lines seem to talk about how the African Americans are strong and are not going to hold back. This relates to Langston Hughes' essay "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" by the fact that both the essay and this poem show how determined African Americans are and how they still continue to follow their own mindset.

    2. You’se a leetle too dumb, Fo’ to stay up here. . .”

      The character Slim Greer being told in these lines that he is not fit to stay in heaven is similar to the African American man playing the blues in Langston Hughes' poem "The Weary Blues". These lines indicate that Greer is an outcast from the rest of the individuals in heaven and this can relate to the man singing the blues in Hughes' poem since both characters are alone and isolated from the rest of society.

    3. Git way inside us, Keep us strong. . . .

      These lines of the poem relate to the singer Ma Rainey. However, these lines could also indicate how a song like Ma Rainey's "Prove it on me Blues" can be motivating to African Americans. Therefore, the African Americans want to hear the song to get the motivation they need to keep on going in life.

    1. Ancient, dusky rivers.

      The use of the word "dusky" could be referencing the darkness of African American skin.

    2. looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans,*

      Places like the Nile and New Orleans are areas prominently populated with African Americans.

    3. I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.

      The mentioning of the river in these lines could relate to African Americans in ancient times. Specifically, Africa has several rivers and is a place that is important to the history of African Americans. So, these lines could be talking about how African Americans are a group that has been around since ancient times.

    1. Do you think Negroes should always write about Negroes?

      Does this question still pop up for African American writers, or has the perception changed?

    2. We build our temples for tomorrow, strong as we know how, and we stand on top of the mountain, free within ourselves.

      Even though the African American authors may feel negativity from their own people. They still seem to believe they are free to write from their heart.

    3. They are afraid of it.

      Why are the colored people afraid of reading a written work?

  4. teaching.lfhanley.net teaching.lfhanley.net
    1. London Bridge is falling down falling down falling down

      This line could relate to the earlier reference of London in Part 1 of the poem. Or, it can relate to the rain falling in the land based on the context of the drought.

      Overall, Elliot could be bringing past to present with the past t being the drought and the present being the thunder that came. Or it can also be life and death, with drought being an representation of the land dying and the thunder being the life that brings the land back to normal.

    2. Damyata: The boat responded

      I'm am still not sure about the significance of the boat. But, this line could refer to the late response of the thunder to the drought.

    3. Dayadhvam: I have heard the key

      The key could be the rooster and that it has informed the thunder to come and help the land be free of the drought.

    4. Datta: what have we given?

      This line could refer to the rain not coming sooner. Maybe, in away the thunder is feeling guilt for not giving rain to this land in a time when it was really needed.

    5. Co co rico co co rico

      The sound of the rooster can be seen as a symbol of awakening. But in this instance, this awakening is about the upcoming rain. So, the rooster is giving the signal that rain is indeed coming to this land.

    6. the grass is singing

      The grass singing could be an indicator that the rain is coming. Since the rain is much needed, Elliot could be signifying relief and joy through the singing of the grass with the coming of the rain.

    7. And voices singing out of empty cisterns

      These voices seem to be coming from people who are craving water, since this poem is talking about a place with no water. There could be a drought going on and these people need the water really bad. Therefore, the voices could be out of desperation.

    8. Shantih     shantih     shantih

      What is making this sound?

    9. London Bridge is falling down falling down falling down Poi s’ascose nel foco che gli affina Quando fiam uti chelidon—O swallow swallow Le Prince d’Aquitaine à la tour abolie

      London Bridge is being sung in English and another language.

    10. DA Datta: what have we given?

      The thunder is talking?

    11. Co co rico co co rico

      Sound of a rooster

    12. Drip drop drip drop drop drop drop

      Sound of water or raindrops

    13. “Trams and dusty trees. Highbury bore me. Richmond and Kew Undid me. By Richmond I raised my knees Supine on the floor of a narrow canoe.”

      Someone reciting a poem?

    14. Burning burning burning burning

      Why is burning repeated?

    15. la la

      Someone is singing?

    16. Weialala leia                                  Wallala leialala

      Another strange noise

    17. “This music crept by me upon the waters”

      Who is saying this quote?

    18. “Well now that’s done: and I’m glad it’s over.”

      Quote from the woman.

    19. Tereu

      Another sound?

    20. Twit twit twit Jug jug jug jug jug jug

      Mysterious sounds

    21. Et O ces voix d’enfants, chantant dans la coupole!

      What language is this?

    22. Ta ta. Goonight. Goonight.

      Why is the person repeating "Goonight"?

    23. HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME

      Words from the narrator

    24. “What shall I do now? What shall I do?”

      Another mysterious quote

    25. “What is that noise?”

      who is saying this quote?

    26. “My nerves are bad tonight. Yes, bad. Stay with me. “Speak to me. Why do you never speak. Speak.   “What are you thinking of? What thinking? What? “I never know what you are thinking. Think.”

      This whole line is a quote, so it is someone's voice.

    27. “Jug Jug”

      Who says this?

    28. I had not thought death had undone so many

      What were the deaths caused by?

    29. There I saw one I knew

      Is the person the narrator knew his friend?

    30. There is shadow under this red rock, (Come in under the shadow of this red rock),

      Why is the phrase written in two ways?

    1. Ethel. Ethel. Ethel.

      Why is Ethel repeated?

    2. Henry Henry Henry.

      Why is the name Henry repeated in this line and two lines after it?

    3. Leave us mass leave us. Leave us pass. Leave us. Leave us pass leave us.

      What do they want to leave them? Is it some kind of climate condition?

    4. Birds measure birds measure stores birds measure stores measure birds measure.

      This line could signify the repeated routine of chores on a daily basis.

    5. I love honor and obey I do love honor and obey I do.

      Maybe the wives obey their husbands and do their duties with honor.

    6. Wives of great men rest tranquil.

      This line maybe has to do with farmer's wives resting after a hard day at work around the home

  5. Sep 2015
    1. so sweet and so cold

      Plums are sweet and very good to eat. But why was the narrator eating plums specifically?

    2. you were probably saving for breakfast

      Who are the people talking in this poem?

    3. the plums that were in the icebox

      Why were the plums kept in an icebox?

    4. hat she’ll be rescued by an agent—

      Why is the one rescuing the girl an agent?

    5. Unless it be that marriage perhaps with a dash of Indian blood

      These lines seem to allude to interracial marriage. Especially an interracial marriage with an Indian. Is the other person getting married with the Indian a White?

    6. The pure products of America

      What are the pure products of America? Is it referring to the people described in this poem?

    1. “In a Station of the Metro”

      Why did Pound decide to write a poem about a train station?

    2. Petals on a wet, black bough

      Bough refers to a branch on a tree. So that means the petals are on the ground or a tree?

    3. The apparition of these faces in the crowd

      This line is probably referring to the crowd of people walking by in the station.

    1. To watch his woods fill up with snow.

      Is "his" referring to the horse which is referenced in the next line, or someone else?

    2. The darkest evening of the year.

      Why is the horse stopping when it is clearly very dark? Is the horse sensing something peculiar around the area?

    3. To stop without a farmhouse near

      How is the horse surviving without a farmhouse? Wouldn't the horse die from the cold weather?

    4. Had worn them really about the same,

      Is he talking about the roads aging similarly over time?

    5. And that has made all the difference.

      Why did taking the road that was less used make a difference?

    6. Oh, I kept the first for another day!

      What is the thing that he kept? Does it have something to do with the roads?

    1. While Homer and Whitman roared in the pines?

      Homer is the bard who told the well known Greek epics the "Iliad and the "Odyssey." Walt Whitman is a well known American poet. This sentence could be referring to Homer and Whitman in relation to the sound of the seeds in the pine tree. The sounds could represent stanzas in a poem or lines in a epic.

    2. Blind to all of it all my life long

      This sentence suggests the narrator may be oblivious to what is going on around him or her. Maybe the activity that goes on during a daily basis from the emotions of the village to the different activities going on in different scenic locations could be too much for the narrator to comprehend.

    3. Tragedy, comedy, valor and truth, Courage, constancy, heroism, failure

      These feelings seems to signify the emotions that people in the village are feeling. The emotions of the people are probably happening all at once like how the seeds from the pine tree are falling.

    1. KNEW

      The capitalization of this word seems to indicate that the wallpaper is personified to have a mind of its own.

    2. He said that after the wall-paper was changed it would be the heavy bedstead, and then the barred windows, and then that gate at the head of the stairs, and so on.

      Heavy indication of the house being a confinement for the narrator.

    3. John does not know how much I really suffer. He knows there is no REASON to suffer, and that satisfies him.

      This behavior of John shows one way that men treated women long ago. The men were the dominant figures of the house while the women were viewed as fragile and vulnerable.

    4. One of those sprawling flamboyant patterns committing every artistic sin.

      This sentence seems to indicate that the wallpaper is being viewed as bad by the narrator. Therefore, this wallpaper is an aspect of the house that the narrator is hateful towards and has some negative significance with her.

    5. I don’t like our room a bit. I wanted one downstairs that opened on the piazza and had roses all over the window, and such pretty old-fashioned chintz hangings! but John would not hear of it.

      This room could represent confinement, since the narrator dislikes it and she isn't allowed to change the room according to her own tastes. Therefore, not being allowed to personalize a room is lack of being able to have freedom in choice which can be confinement from having self-control.

    6. DRAUGHT

      Is there significance to putting this word in all capital letters?

    1. And yet it is not weakness,—it is the contradiction of double aims. The double-aimed struggle of the black artisan—on the one hand to escape white contempt for a nation of mere hewers of wood and drawers of water, and on the other hand to plough and nail and dig for a poverty-stricken horde—could only result in making him a poor craftsman, for he had but half a heart in either cause.

      This passage could be talking about the purpose of the African Americans' double identity. The first identity is trying to deal with the discrimination and negative perception that whites have over African Americans. While the second identity, is striving to solve their problem of poverty by working hard.

  6. Aug 2015
    1. while the knowledge which would teach the white world was Greek to his own flesh and blood.

      What is the context of the Greek in this part of the text?

    2. He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly in his face.

      African Americans had a tough time being themselves and blending in to American society. Therefore, it was a problem of identity for them.

    3. With other black boys the strife was not so fiercely sunny: their youth shrunk into tasteless sycophancy, or into silent hatred of the pale world about them and mocking distrust of everything white

      African American children had a tough life during the times where there was the problem of discrimination towards African Americans. The African American children probably didn't have an enjoyable childhood.

    4. The exchange was merry, till one girl, a tall newcomer, refused my card,—refused it peremptorily, with a glance. Then it dawned upon me with a certain suddenness that I was different from the others; or like, mayhap, in heart and life and longing, but shut out from their world by a vast veil.

      This experience signifies the isolation of African Americans from other groups.

    1. No more relation could he discover between the steam and the electric current than between the Cross and the cathedral.

      What is the relation he is talking about in this passage?

    2. She was goddess because of her force; she was the animated dynamo; she was reproduction

      I think the characterization of women to an dynamo is interesting in this context. In addition, this text seems to add toughness to the image of a female.

    3. dynamos

      By looking up the definition, dynamos are machines that turn energy from mechanic to electric.

    4. Great Exposition of 1900

      By doing some research, I found that the Great Exposition of 1900 took place in France and was an event featuring exhibits of future inventions.

    1. A historical connection can be made to this poem in terms of the Industrial Revolution. Since, during the Industrial Revolution cities started to form and often people moved from the countryside looking for work in the city. This is hinted in the third stanza which mentions trees seemingly being destroyed and the fifth stanza which mentions an oak tree being replaced by a wall. Therefore, Levine could be referencing such a historical event in his poem.