Donne: No man is an island

No man is an island entire of itself;

every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;

if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less,

as well as if a promontory were,

as well as any manner of thy friends or of thine own were;

any man's death diminishes me,

because I am involved in mankind.

And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;

it tolls for thee.

(1624)

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The island most likely represents which of the following?

• weakness

• isolation

• friendship

• anger

The continent most likely represents which of the following:

• commonality between all men and women

• strength in times of hardship

• a group of people suffering

• Europe

According to the poet, what is the one thing that all people will experience:

• happiness

• love

• individuality

• death

Which of the following best describes a theme of the poem?

• People tend to care only about themselves and cannot easily connect with others

• Peace among different people and countries is possible through shared grief

• Everyone and everything in the world is connected as part of a larger whole.

• Loneliness is one of the worst fates one can suffer and no one should have to bear it.

How does the figurative language in lines 1-4 develop the poem’s theme?

• It compares people to land masses, and when one clod is washed away it lessens the continent; this develops the theme of connection between individuals as parts of a whole.

• It compares people to islands, and when one island loses land it only impacts the one island; this develops the theme of people who exist within their own worlds.

• It compares the world to the continent of Europe; this develops the theme of European expansion across the world, uniting different parts of it under colonial rule.

• It compares different peoples to land masses, and when one clod is washed away it lessens the continent; this develops the theme of peace and unity among different countries.

What does the word “diminish” most likely mean as used in line 6?

• to end

• to belittle

• to lessen

• to sadden

Which of the following quotes best supports the answer to the previous question?

• “No man is an island entire of itself” (Line 1)

• “if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe / is the less” (Lines 3-4)

• “as any manner of thy friends or of thine / own were” (Lines 5-6)

• “I am involved in mankind.” (Line 7)

Which of the 2 videos provided did you like best?

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Why did you choose that particular recitation of the poem?