To His Coy Mistress p. 767-69 & A Late Aubade p. 770-71

Although "To His Coy Mistress" and "A Late Aubade" are carpe diem poems, the speakers' ideas of "seizing the day" differ.  Briefly contrast the two poems.

To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time p. 766

"To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" is a carpe diem poem.  The speaker urges his audience (virgins) to "seize the day" before it's too late.  How does the speaker develop his argument?  Briefly paraphrase the poem.

A Narrow Fellow in the Grass pp. 2-3

Although Dickinson never identifies that she is writing about a snake in "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," several literary devices indicate so.  What's the significance of Dickinson's use of simple diction, syntax, and alliteration in the poem?  What message do you think the poem is sending?

Revelation pp. 455-69

What connections can be made between Flannery O'Connor's "Revelation" and the book of Revelation in the Bible?  If a moral can be tagged onto O'Connor's "Revelation," what would it be?

A Good Man Is Hard to Find pp. 430-40

Discuss Flannery O'Connor's portrayal of the family in "A Good Man Is Hard to Find."  Are they responsible for what happens to them?

The Minister's Black Veil & Young Goodman Brown

Compare "Young Goodman Brown" with "The Minister's Black Veil."  How are the themes of secret sin and hypocrisy seen in the two works?

The Horse Dealer's Daughter pp. 643-54

"The Horse Dealers's Daughter" contains many symbols of life and death.  Choose one below and write a response that discusses the symbol:
1.  the large house, servantless and desolate
2.  the empty stables
3.  the "gray, wintry day"
4.  the horses
5.  the pond
6.  Mabel herself
7.  a symbol of your choice (one not listed above)