Questions and Answers
In the fourth sentence of the passage, the word 'premeditated' indicates that the narrator is being very cautious as he navigates the fire escape.
In the second sentence of the final paragraph, the image of the 'human race itself' being 'extinguished' most clearly serves to associate humanity with long-dead stars.
The metaphor in the first paragraph comparing the narrator's situation to a 'high-wire act' emphasizes the danger of the narrator's current predicament.
The comparison between the stars and 'a distant cloud of fireflies' is best described as a lively metaphor that emphasizes the narrator's initial delight at being able to see stars in the city.
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The image of the 'blurred yellow rectangle of a taxicab' in the final paragraph helps dramatize the dizzying height from which the narrator regards the city streets.
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In referring to Times Square as a 'neon inferno', the narrator emphasizes both the brightness of Times Square's lights and the garish appearance it has compared to the sky above it.
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The passage emphasizes a parallel between the narrator's unexpected experience of finding himself outside the building and his sense of temporarily existing outside everyday time and space.
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Overall, the passage can best be interpreted as an account of a transcendent experience.
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An interpretation stating that the speaker feels awed when experiencing the hours of night would be most fully supported by the poem's references to the magical effects of night.
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Within the context of the entire poem, the use of 'I stood' in line 1 and again in line 33 serves to reinforce the poem's focus on an experience that captivates the speaker.
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In lines 1-3, personification primarily has the effect of transforming a natural process into a series of intentional actions.
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Which choice best describes the use of a literary device in line 4?
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The juxtaposition of adjectives in lines 9-15 cumulatively creates a sensory impression of darkness with an interval of light.
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In context, 'lace-work' is best understood to refer to the intricate patterns of overlapping leaves and branches.
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The allusion in 'Faint glories of the crown that Phoebus wears' emphasizes the radiance of light exuding through the darkness.
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In lines 37-39, personification portrays the Earth as gradually exhibiting a sense of pleasure.
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Which line contains an example of personification?
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Which lines most fully support an interpretation that the speaker feels the nonpoets of the modern world have a misguided perspective?
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In the context of the first stanza, 'Tiny' emphasizes the speaker's feeling that his son is a small part of a larger world.
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In context, the description of modern poets as 'unfortunate fellows / And...Atlas' suggests that the speaker believes their predicament is trivial because it is self-created.
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In addressing his baby son, the speaker alludes to Keats's poem in lines 25-26 in order to make the point that poets formerly helped readers feel that they understood the world around them.
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In line 29, 'old' refers to a language that is inadequate to express modern thoughts.
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The allusion to Atlas primarily serves to suggest that modern poets possess an exaggerated sense of their own importance.
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The two three-line stanzas in lines 1-3 and in lines 42-44 have the effect of framing the poem as a concise and counterintuitive message.
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Study Notes
Key Literary Concepts
- Premeditated Action: Indicates cautious behavior, particularly in precarious situations like navigating a fire escape.
- Human Race and Stars: The association emphasizes the connection between humanity and the remnants of long-dead stars.
- High-Wire Act Metaphor: Reflects the danger faced by the narrator, highlighting the precariousness of their situation.
- Distant Fireflies Comparison: Serves as a lively metaphor showcasing initial delight in seeing stars amidst city lights.
Imagery and Symbolism
- Blurred Yellow Rectangle of a Taxi: Conveys the dizzying height from which the narrator observes the city below.
- Neon Inferno Description: Captures both the brightness of Times Square and its garish, overwhelming appearance compared to the night sky.
- Transcendent Experience: The passage describes an extraordinary experience outside typical time and space.
Poet's Perspectives
- Awed by Night: The interpretation is supported by references in the poem that depict the magical qualities of nighttime.
- Reinforcing Focus with "I Stood": The repetition emphasizes a captivating experience for the speaker.
Literary Devices
- Personification: Transforms natural occurrences into intentional actions, creating an immersive experience.
- Pervasive Night Metaphor: Characterizes night in graceful terms, enhancing its role in the imagery.
- Juxtaposition of Light and Darkness: Creates a sensory impression of contrasts within the poem.
Allusions and Cultural References
- Lace-Work Description: Refers to intricate patterns formed by nature, enhancing the visual imagery.
- Phoebus's Crown: Suggests a radiant light emerging from the darkness, alluding to classical mythology.
- Earth's Pleasure via Personification: Depicts the Earth gradually enjoying its surroundings, enhancing the mood.
Modern Poetics Commentary
- Misguided Perspective of Nonpoets: Lines express a belief that modern individuals may lack a proper understanding of the world’s beauty.
- "Tiny" Son Reference: Indicates the speaker's perception of their child's role in a broader context.
- Modern Poets' Self-Creation of Triviality: Portrays their struggles as self-imposed and lacking in significance.
Framing and Structure
- Stanza Comparisons: The two three-line stanzas create a concise yet counterintuitive message, framing the poem's overall theme.
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Test your understanding of key terms and concepts from AP Classroom Unit 5 with these flashcards. Each card focuses on critical vocabulary and its implications in a given context, perfect for deepening your literary analysis skills.
