Analyzing Poetry
Remember that the best thing about literature is that there is not a right or a wrong answer!  In your Unit 3 essay, I want you to analyze a theme in poetry.  You may pick any of the poems that are in our textbook or in my lectures, including the ones that were not required reading.   You must use at least three poems as examples in your paper; the goal is to analyze a theme and show the readers what we learn about that theme in poetry.
You could pick a topic we have covered, like racism, gender roles, or family dynamics, or you could create a theme of your own; for example:
1. You could write about the oppression of women and how literature shows us the need for equality.  In this paper, you could use “Women,” “Please Fire Me,” and “Barbie Doll” as evidence to support your analysis.
2. You could write about romance and explain how poetry makes love eternal.  You could include “Shall I compare thee…,” “One Day I Wrote her Name…,” and “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose” as examples to support your claims.
3. You could write about the hidden messages of sex and sexuality in poetry, and how sex is only desirable when done with young, beautiful women.  In this essay, you could include examples from “Kubla Khan,” “To the Virgins,” and “What Lips My Lips Have Kissed.”
Your paper must be at least 3-4 pages in length, set up in MLA format; it must have both in-text citations and a Works Cited list (not included in the word count).  Your analysis should be personal and unique; think of this as a persuasive paper in which you convince me of your theme.
The topic ideas are endless!  If you are having a hard time coming up with a theme to explore, please let me know!