MC: Elements of Poetry

"Dreams"

by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

What is the primary metaphor used in this poem?

• Life as a broken-winged bird

• Life is a barren field

• Snow as frozen time

• Both "Life is a broken-winged bird" and "Life is a barren field"

"Dreams"

by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

What does the repetition of “Hold fast to dreams” emphasize in the poem?

• The inevitability of dreams fading

• The importance of maintaining hope and aspirations

• The fragility of life

• The sadness of losing dreams

"Dreams"

by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

What is the tone of the poem?

• Optimistic

• Despair

• Cautionary

• Angry

"Dreams"

by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

What types of figurative language is used in "Life is a barren field / Frozen with snow"?

• Hyperbole

• Simile

• Symbolism

• Metaphor

"The Bells"

by Edgar Allan Poe (excerpt)

Hear the sledges with the bells—
Silver bells!
What a world of merriment their melody foretells!
How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,
In the icy air of night!

What poetic device is used in the phrase “tinkle, tinkle, tinkle”?

• Onomatopoeia

• Alliteration

• Simile

• Hyperbole

"The Bells"

by Edgar Allan Poe (excerpt)

Hear the sledges with the bells—
Silver bells!
What a world of merriment their melody foretells!
How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,
In the icy air of night!

How does the poet create auditory (sound) imagery in this stanza?

• By describing the appearance of the bells

• Through the repetition of sounds like “tinkle” and “bells”

• By personifying the bells

• By comparing the bells to instruments

"The Bells"

by Edgar Allan Poe (excerpt)

Hear the sledges with the bells—
Silver bells!
What a world of merriment their melody foretells!
How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,
In the icy air of night!

Which word best describes the tone of this stanza?

• Elated

• Mournful

• Mysterious

• Chaotic

"The Bells"

by Edgar Allan Poe (excerpt)

Hear the sledges with the bells—
Silver bells!
What a world of merriment their melody foretells!
How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,
In the icy air of night!

What is the effect of the exclamation marks used throughout the stanza?

• To show sarcasm

• To emphasize excitement and liveliness

• To highlight anger

• To create a reflective tone

"The Bells"

by Edgar Allan Poe (excerpt)

Hear the sledges with the bells—
Silver bells!
What a world of merriment their melody foretells!
How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,
In the icy air of night!

How does the repetition of the word "tinkle" affect the mood of the poem?

• It creates a sense of unease and tension.

• It emphasizes the delicate and lighthearted sound of the bells.

• It distracts from the overall imagery of the stanza.

• It gives the bells a sense of urgency and power.

"The Bells"

by Edgar Allan Poe (excerpt)

Hear the sledges with the bells—
Silver bells!
What a world of merriment their melody foretells!
How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,
In the icy air of night!

What poetic device is most evident in the phrase "What a world of merriment their melody foretells!"?

• Alliteration

• Hyperbole

• Personification

• Symbolism