Step 1: Read the poems to gauge the speakers’ distinct (or
similar) attitudes of the topic at hand. Decipher the speakers’ ultimate
messages. Articulate these attitudes in a complete statement for your own
clarity and benefit. Thematic purpose is welcomed, but not required.
Smith: Because of
the turmoil of her earthly life, Smith yearns to experience the tranquility of
the moon. (Possible Metaphor for death?)
Blake: Blake
praises the protective and calming influence of the moon, which helps everyone
face the struggles and challenges of the day. (Possible Metaphor for God?)
Step 2: Analyze the poem to locate different poetic devices
the authors use to enhance these attitudes toward the topic at hand. Articulate
these uses in broad, general language. Make sure to clarify whether this essay
will analyze the similarities or differences of the poetic techniques seen in
the two poems.
Smith: Allusion to Artemis;
Contrasting diction of calm moon and dreadful earth; Moon as metaphor for giver
of calmness/ metaphor for a space of solace.
Blake: Personification
of moon as protector of the land; soothing diction/tone; alliteration that adds
to the soothing mood; light/shiny visual imagery
Step 3: Write out an introduction paragraph that gets
straight to the point of your essay (no need for an attention grabber in an
in-class essay). Most likely, your thesis will be several sentences long.
Address the general differences in the messages of the poems, but hold back on
the specifics of the poetic devices for your body paragraphs.
Although both Charlotte Smith’s poem “To the Moon” and
William Blake’s poem “To the Evening Star” address the same lunar satellite of
the night sky, Smith does so in yearning for the solace the moon has to offer
while Blake praises the “evening star” for the solace and protection it already
provides. While Smith uses metaphor and contrasting diction to convey her yearning
for the solace she lacks in her life, Blake uses personification and visual imagery
to express his comfort and bliss concerning the moon’s protectiveness.
(If
the poets use the same poetic devices, just mix it up: In conveying these different approaches to the moon, both poets use
figurative language and contrasting diction to convey their distinct messages
regarding the moon’s solace and tranquility.)
Step 4: Outline the essay in a way that allows clarity and
cohesion in your comparison of the two poems. Use only the strongest poetic
techniques (2-4 of them).
Intro
Body
Paragraph 1: Smith’s use of figurative language (metaphor) – how it conveys her
message
Body
Paragraph 2: Blake’s use of figurative language (personification) – how it conveys
his message
Body
Paragraph 3: Smith’s use of contrasting diction (pleasant/dismal) - how it conveys
her message
Body
Paragraph 4: Blake’s use of visual imagery (bright/shiny) – how it conveys his message
Conclusion
Step 5: Begin writing the body paragraphs of your essay with
careful attention given to your organization of the actual paragraph. (Topic
sentence; reasoning; quote; analysis; reasoning; quote; analysis; tie it
together). As you write, make sure you cite your quotes properly. Use
slash marks to show a line change, write the poet’s last name in the in-text
citation, and write the line numbers in the in-text citation.
Blake’s use of
figurative language helps convey his comforting attitude toward the moon.
Throughout the poem, Blake personifies the moon as a figure of human authority
capable of providing protection and calmness in the land: “…light/ the bright
torch of love; thy radiant crown/ Put on, and smile upon our evening bed” (Blake
2-4). By placing a literal crown upon the moon’s head, Blake provides the
reader with the image of a kingly figure, ready to protect his vassals of the
land. But even in the description of this kingly moon, Blake uses further
personification to create a peaceful atmosphere under this lunar reign by
having the moon “smile” over his sleeping subjects – thus ensuring that this
protective ruler has kind and compassionate intentions. Further evidence of
this is seen when ….
Step 6: Finish writing the essay. Proofread. Turn in. Relax…
until the rewrite.
