OF METAPHOR
AND MOWAW
Notes on the Poetry Essay:
A: Free Choice – Tone
B: “Jocasta” by Ruth F. Eisenberg
THE BREAKDOWN
 16 Prompt A: Free Choice from Summer Reading
 6 upper half / 10 lower half
 Wide variety of topics and time periods in poems explored:
“To Althea, From Prison,” “Hippopotamus,” “Body’s Beauty,” “London, 1802,” “To The
Virgins, To Make Much Of Time” (popular, among males only), “Po’ Boy Blues,”
“Ozymanidas” (also a dude poem), “To His Coy Mistress,” “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers,”
“Death Be Not Proud,” “Mending Wall,” “The Tiger and the Lamb,” “Hysteria,”
“Blackberry Picking”
 11 Prompt B: “Jocasta”
 7 upper half / 4 lower half
WHAT IS (MOSTLY) WORKING:
 Writing demonstrates thoughtful understanding of
poetry and depth of analysis
 Clearly identified MOWAW (more than plot or
theme)
 Improvement in identifying specific literary devices
AND their function
 Sophisticated vocabulary and syntax
 Some well-crafted thesis statements!
 Appropriate text support
A PRETTY PERFECT POSITION…
In his poem, “To Althea, From Prison,” Richard Lovelace
uses a controlling metaphor and a peaceful, content
tone despite being locked in prison, to examine the
idea that freedom rests in the mind, not in the body. . .
.With the use of a controlling metaphor comparing
himself to a caged bird that still has the freedom to
sing, as well as a tone of tranquility, Lovelace conveys
his attitude of disregard towards Parliament and
prison.
A PRETTY PERFECT POSITION…
In his poem, “To Althea, From Prison,” Richard Lovelace
uses a controlling metaphor and a peaceful, content
tone despite being locked in prison, to examine the
idea that freedom rests in the mind, not in the body. . .
.With the use of a controlling metaphor comparing
himself to a caged bird that still has the freedom to
sing, as well as a tone of tranquility, Lovelace conveys
his attitude of disregard towards Parliament and
prison.
A PRETTY PERFECT POSITION…
In his poem, “To Althea, From Prison,” Richard Lovelace
uses a controlling metaphor and a peaceful, content
tone despite being locked in prison, to examine the
idea that freedom rests in the mind, not in the body. . .
.With the use of a controlling metaphor comparing
himself to a caged bird that still has the freedom to
sing, as well as a tone of tranquility, Lovelace conveys
[an] attitude of disregard towards Parliament and
prison.
MAKE IT SO…MARK IT UP!
In his poem, “To Althea, From Prison,” Richard Lovelace
uses a controlling metaphor and a peaceful, content
tone despite being locked in prison, to examine the
idea that freedom rests in the mind, not in the body. . .
.With the use of a controlling metaphor comparing
himself to a caged bird that still has the freedom to
sing, as well as a tone of tranquility, Lovelace conveys
his attitude of disregard towards Parliament and
prison.
APPROPRIATE EVIDENCE, IF NOT ANALYSIS…
Within the poem, Eisenberg employs metaphor and
juxtaposition to highlight the contrast between the highest high
and the lowest low of Jocasta’s life. Once Jocasta is married to
Oedipus (unaware he is her son), she spouts “I am the poppies /
bright little blooms with milk in them,” and “I walk among the
roses, feel / [Aphrodite’s] blush upon my cheeks.” Once she
discovers he is not who she believes, her “flesh crawls with
worms.” These metaphors are put in place in order to make her
emotions less abstract, and therefore more relatable. These
changes in her feelings mark the change in tone and better
describe them so the audience could note the difference. By
juxtaposing the two very contrasting moods, Eisenberg places an
emphasis on the situation that Jocasta is suffering in.
APPROPRIATE EVIDENCE, IF NOT ANALYSIS…
Within the poem, Eisenberg employs metaphor and
juxtaposition to highlight the contrast between the highest high
and the lowest low of Jocasta’s life. Once Jocasta is married to
Oedipus (unaware he is her son), she spouts “I am the poppies /
bright little blooms with milk in them,” and “I walk among the
roses, feel / [Aphrodite’s] blush upon my cheeks.” Once she
discovers he is not who she believes, her “flesh crawls with
worms.” These metaphors are put in place in order to make her
emotions less abstract, and therefore more relatable. These
changes in her feelings mark the change in tone and better
describe them so the audience could note the difference. By
juxtaposing the two very contrasting moods, Eisenberg places an
emphasis on the situation that Jocasta is suffering in.
APPROPRIATE EVIDENCE, IF NOT ANALYSIS…
Within the poem, Eisenberg employs metaphor and
juxtaposition to highlight the contrast between the highest high
and the lowest low of Jocasta’s life. Once Jocasta is married to
Oedipus (unaware he is her son), [Jocasta gushes] spouts “I am
the poppies / bright little blooms with milk* in them,” and “I walk
among the roses, feel / [Aphrodite’s*] blush upon my cheeks.”
Once she discovers [Oedipus] is not who she [at first believed],
her “flesh crawls with worms*.” These metaphors are put in place
in order to make [Jocasta’s] emotions less abstract, and therefore
more relatable. These changes in her feelings mark the change in
tone and better describe them so the audience could note the
difference. By juxtaposing the two very contrasting moods,
Eisenberg places an emphasis on the situation that Jocasta is
suffering in.
*Needs analysis!
MAKE IT SO…MARK IT UP!
Within the poem, Eisenberg employs metaphor and
juxtaposition to highlight the contrast between the highest high
and the lowest low of Jocasta’s life. Once Jocasta is married to
Oedipus (unaware he is her son), she spouts “I am the poppies /
bright little blooms with milk in them,” and “I walk among the
roses, feel / [Aphrodite’s] blush upon my cheeks.” Once she
discovers he is not who she believes, her “flesh crawls with
worms.” These metaphors are put in place in order to make her
emotions less abstract, and therefore more relatable. These
changes in her feelings mark the change in tone and better
describe them so the audience could note the difference. By
juxtaposing the two very contrasting moods, Eisenberg places an
emphasis on the situation that Jocasta is suffering in.
WHAT NEEDS WORK:
 Still struggling to identify the MOWAW
 Discussing specific literary devices AND their
function (in other words, HOW they illuminate
MOWAW)
 Attempting to do too much: multiple themes,
meanings and messages and/or device-o-rama
 History lessons, cheerleading, plot and platitudes
 Writing to fill space
HOW DOES FUNCTION DETERMINE
FORM?
 Eisenberg’s use of a both foreboding and somber tone along
with foreshadowing illustrates the plight of a woman who lacks
agency in her life and pays the consequences. When looked at
from a broader scope, Eisenberg’s poem serves as a cautionary
tale towards women and the dangers of passiveness.
 The author uses metaphor and internal monologue to recreate
Jocasta’s perspective. . . .Eisenberg critically analyzes Oedipus
Rex to elaborate on Jocasta’s side of the story. By employing a
shift in tone from passionate to distraught, Eisenberg shows
Jocasta’s powerlessness in society.
AVOID TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH
 In her poem “Jocasta,” Ruth F. Eisenberg re-imagines “Oedipus”
through a contemporary feminist lens with success, due to her
employment of a variety of different literary devices, such as
imagery, perspective, and tone, which throughout the poem
ranges from dark and hollow to peaceful and light-hearted.
Eisenberg makes these devices function with her use of
structure and diction, and, along with the contemporary
feminist lens she gives the poem, accomplishes her purpose to
make a statement advocating women’s rights and to also give
women a voice in literature.
AVOID TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH
 In her poem “Jocasta,” Ruth F. Eisenberg re-imagines “Oedipus”
through a contemporary feminist lens with success, due to her
employment of a variety of different literary devices, such as
imagery, perspective, and tone, which throughout the poem
ranges from dark and hollow to peaceful and light-hearted.
Eisenberg makes these devices function with her use of
structure and diction, and, along with the contemporary
feminist lens she gives the poem, accomplishes her purpose to
make a statement advocating women’s rights and to also give
women a voice in literature.
AVOID TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH
 The poem seeks not only to mock the lack of domination this
ruler has, but also to criticize all dictators and tyrants who
naively believe in the immortality of their legacy and reign. To
achieve these purposes and goals, Shelley uses a majestic tone
in order to mock Ozymandias, and utilizes a myriad of literary
devices such as allusions, personification, and irony to illustrate
that all great rulers, no matter how invincible they might seem,
are mortal beings, and will fall.
AVOID TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH
 The poem seeks not only to mock the lack of domination this
ruler has, but also to criticize all dictators and tyrants who
naively believe in the immortality of their legacy and reign. To
achieve these purposes and goals, Shelley uses a majestic tone
in order to mock Ozymandias, and utilizes a myriad of literary
devices such as allusions, personification, and irony to illustrate
that all great rulers, no matter how invincible they might seem,
are mortal beings, and will fall.
AVOID TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH
 By crafting a proud and hollow image of “Death,” John Donne
executes a dramatic anti-thesis to the ominous figure of eternal
rest; in “Death be Not Proud” as a result, he is able to utilize an
assortment of literary devices including, but not limited to,
imagery, personification, and rhytmic patterns. Despite this
mockery of “Death”, Donne expertly plays on the reader’s fear
of “Death”, not by empowering their fear, but by supressing it,
he further instills the confidence required to live life to its
fullest extent.
AVOID TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH
 By crafting a proud and hollow image of “Death,” John Donne
executes a dramatic anti-thesis to the ominous figure of eternal
rest; in “Death be Not Proud” as a result, he is able to utilize an
assortment of literary devices including, but not limited to,
imagery, personification, and rhytmic patterns. Despite this
mockery of “Death”, Donne expertly plays on the reader’s fear
of “Death”, not by empowering their fear, but by suppressing it,
he further instills the confidence required to live life to its
fullest extent.
YOU, THE EXPERT?
 When standing at the face of tradition, we have all been able to
defend our reasons for our beliefs.
 When it comes to love, many would argue that it should be had
during youth, in order to fully take advantage of youthful
characteristics that can make love more enjoyable.
 Eisenberg’s “Jocasta” beautifully manipulates the imagery,
metaphor, and repetition of words in such a way that it reimagines
the human condition of woman.
 The 1970’s was a time in which women were just beginning to
collect rights—feminists fought for equal treatment. A new demnd
for more literature with female leads.
AND PLOTTING ON…
 In “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers,” author Adrienne Rich takes on the
perspective of a niece or nephew who acts as a sympathetic fly
on the wall of a timid and unhappy woman only known to the
audience as Aunt Jennifer.
 In her poem “Jocasta,” Ruth Eisenberg recounts the life and
tribulations of Oedipus’ wife.
AND ON AND ON AND ON…
 In the poem “Hysteria”, TS Eliot quite accurately describes the
subject, a hostess of a tea party, by so revealing her current and
true state of melancholic emotion By the use of describing her
actions through a desperate and despairing lens, Eliot
highlights the mask which this woman hids and buries herself
under. Also, by writing in a free verse and blunt style using no
meter of any kind the reader is forced to see that nothing is
what it seems, for a woman that smiles, she may not be joyful
but instead use it as a means of camoflage, to cover another
darker disposition entirely.
AND ON AND ON AND ON…
 The epic tale of Oedipus is given a new perspective in the
modern and pro-feminist poem, “Jocasta.” Ruth Eisenberg
utilizes a highly personal point of view as Jocasta tells her story
both candidly and emotionally. Throughthe use of sensitory
extended metaphor and foreshadowing blinded by love,
“Jocasta” gives light to paralleling allusions and adds
dimmension to Oedipus Rex. With it’s feminist angle of the
story, “Jocasta” reshapes the views of fate and free-will
discussed in its precursor.
FINALLY, OWN IT WITH A TITLE
 __________________________
 Poetry Poem
 Seize the Day
FINALLY, OWN IT WITH A TITLE
Seize the Day: The Urgency of Love and Youth in Robert
Herrick’s “To The Virgins, To Make Much of Time”