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Questions and Answers
What metaphor does the speaker use to describe the mark people leave on the world?
What metaphor does the speaker use to describe the mark people leave on the world?
Which literary device is involved in the phrase 'Some hand hand'?
Which literary device is involved in the phrase 'Some hand hand'?
What does the speaker express a desire for in relation to memories?
What does the speaker express a desire for in relation to memories?
What rhythmic feature is noted in lines 5-8 of the content?
What rhythmic feature is noted in lines 5-8 of the content?
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Which poetic form is mentioned as having a specific rhyme pattern?
Which poetic form is mentioned as having a specific rhyme pattern?
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How does the speaker feel after reflecting on the squashed fly?
How does the speaker feel after reflecting on the squashed fly?
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What does the speaker imply about the peril of life?
What does the speaker imply about the peril of life?
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What overall theme can be derived from the speaker's reflections?
What overall theme can be derived from the speaker's reflections?
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What does the 'closing book' symbolize in the context of life?
What does the 'closing book' symbolize in the context of life?
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How does the analogy between people and flies enhance the theme of the content?
How does the analogy between people and flies enhance the theme of the content?
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What does the phrase 'leave no lustre on our page of death' imply about some people's lives?
What does the phrase 'leave no lustre on our page of death' imply about some people's lives?
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What literary device is prominently used to underscore contrast in the content?
What literary device is prominently used to underscore contrast in the content?
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What feeling does the speaker associate with the timing of life and death?
What feeling does the speaker associate with the timing of life and death?
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Which of the following best summarizes the overall message of the content?
Which of the following best summarizes the overall message of the content?
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What is explicitly mentioned about the memories left by people who 'get squished'?
What is explicitly mentioned about the memories left by people who 'get squished'?
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What does the repeated phrase 'day by day' signify in the context of the content?
What does the repeated phrase 'day by day' signify in the context of the content?
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What does the fly’s wings symbolize in the poem?
What does the fly’s wings symbolize in the poem?
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How do people often leave behind their memories according to the poem?
How do people often leave behind their memories according to the poem?
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What message does the poem imply regarding human mortality?
What message does the poem imply regarding human mortality?
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What is the significance of the phrase 'page of death' in this context?
What is the significance of the phrase 'page of death' in this context?
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In what way does the poem compare the fly to humans?
In what way does the poem compare the fly to humans?
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What does the poem imply about the nature of the fly's death?
What does the poem imply about the nature of the fly's death?
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What does the metaphor of the 'book of life' suggest about existence?
What does the metaphor of the 'book of life' suggest about existence?
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How are the fly’s wings described in relation to sacred objects?
How are the fly’s wings described in relation to sacred objects?
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What does the fly symbolize in the poem?
What does the fly symbolize in the poem?
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What aspect of life does the idiom 'to drop like flies' suggest according to the poem?
What aspect of life does the idiom 'to drop like flies' suggest according to the poem?
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How does the speaker feel about the memories that humans leave behind?
How does the speaker feel about the memories that humans leave behind?
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What simile is present in the poem regarding the fly?
What simile is present in the poem regarding the fly?
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What emotion does the speaker express when reflecting on the fly's beauty?
What emotion does the speaker express when reflecting on the fly's beauty?
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Which lines suggest the inevitability of death in the poem?
Which lines suggest the inevitability of death in the poem?
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What does the phrase 'Pure relics of a blameless life' imply in the context of the poem?
What does the phrase 'Pure relics of a blameless life' imply in the context of the poem?
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How do the fly's wings serve as a metaphor in the poem?
How do the fly's wings serve as a metaphor in the poem?
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What does the speaker compare human lives to in the poem?
What does the speaker compare human lives to in the poem?
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What theme is primarily explored in the poem?
What theme is primarily explored in the poem?
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What does the speaker imply about the 'hand' that crushed the fly?
What does the speaker imply about the 'hand' that crushed the fly?
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What poetic structure does the poem initially seem to follow?
What poetic structure does the poem initially seem to follow?
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What does the use of caesura in the first line of the poem signify?
What does the use of caesura in the first line of the poem signify?
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What feeling does the speaker exhibit towards the fly's fate?
What feeling does the speaker exhibit towards the fly's fate?
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What does the phrase 'fair monument' refer to in the poem?
What does the phrase 'fair monument' refer to in the poem?
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Which aspect of life does the poem suggest is unpredictable?
Which aspect of life does the poem suggest is unpredictable?
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What structural element changes in the second quatrain of the poem?
What structural element changes in the second quatrain of the poem?
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What emotional tone is conveyed in the speaker's address to the fly?
What emotional tone is conveyed in the speaker's address to the fly?
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What significant societal change occurred in Britain during Turner's lifetime?
What significant societal change occurred in Britain during Turner's lifetime?
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Which social class exhibited a strong sense of propriety and conformity during the Victorian era?
Which social class exhibited a strong sense of propriety and conformity during the Victorian era?
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What historical context characterized the era in which Turner lived?
What historical context characterized the era in which Turner lived?
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Which poet is mentioned as having a relationship with Turner?
Which poet is mentioned as having a relationship with Turner?
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What did the phrase 'the sun never set on the British Empire' imply during Turner's time?
What did the phrase 'the sun never set on the British Empire' imply during Turner's time?
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What could be said about the social conditions in crowded cities during Turner's lifetime?
What could be said about the social conditions in crowded cities during Turner's lifetime?
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What aspect of the Industrial Revolution affected Britain during Turner's lifetime?
What aspect of the Industrial Revolution affected Britain during Turner's lifetime?
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How was Turner's era characterized in relation to the British Empire?
How was Turner's era characterized in relation to the British Empire?
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Study Notes
Poem Title and Summary
- Title: On Finding a Small Fly Crushed in a Book
- Summary: A poem about the speaker finding a fly crushed in a book, leading them to reflect on death, mortality, and legacies. The speaker contrasts the fly's seemingly perfect memorial (its preserved wings) with the often less meaningful legacies left behind by humans.
Poem Text Analysis
- Lines 1-4: The poem opens with a gentle apology for the fly's death, mentioning a "hand" that unintentionally crushed it. It then praises the fly's preserved wings as a beautiful and lasting monument.
- Lines 5-8: The speaker laments the lack of beauty in human memories compared to the fly's wings. The speaker ponders how pure relics of a blameless life can outshine the mundane memories of humanity.
- Lines 9-12: The poem directly addresses death as a constant peril near to everyone and subtly implies that any human life's trajectory can be cut short just like the fly.
- Lines 13-14: The speaker distinguishes that human legacies are frequently not as beautiful as the fly's and its death does not leave behind a meaningful impression.
Themes
- Death and Legacy: The poem explores the inevitability of death and the contrasting nature of legacies. The speaker suggests that the fly, despite its brief life, leaves a more meaningful and lasting impression.
Poetic Devices
- Metaphor: The speaker uses the fly's wings as a metaphor for human legacies, emphasizing the fragility of life.
- Apostrophe: The poem addresses the fly directly, lending a personal and reflective tone.
- Simile: The speaker compares human memories to the fly's wings, highlighting the beauty and significance of the latter.
- Alliteration: The poem uses alliteration to create musicality, often emphasizing key words about the fragile nature of life.
- Personification: Attributing human qualities to natural objects like the hand that crushed the fly.
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Description
Explore the reflections on mortality and legacy in the poem 'On Finding a Small Fly Crushed in a Book'. This quiz delves into the contrasts between the beauty of the fly's preserved wings and the often lackluster human legacies. Examine the poignant themes and imagery used by the speaker throughout the poem.
