The Writer Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who wrote 'The Writer'?

Richard Wilbur

Why is the poem in blank verse even though there is no rhyme and meter?

structure is constant (all stanzas are tercets)

What is a prow?

front of a ship

What is a gunwale?

side of ship Signup and view all the answers

What does he mean by the stuff of her life is a great cargo, and some of it heavy?

life sucks sometimes, and there are some serious issues everyone goes through Signup and view all the answers

When the daughter pauses, what is she experiencing?

writer's block Signup and view all the answers

What stops the dad from going and helping his daughter?

he remembers the story of the starling Signup and view all the answers

What is the story of the starling?

Two years ago there was a starling who got trapped inside the room the daughter was in now. The only thing they did was open the curtain. They retreated to not frighten it. It failed at getting out and almost died from hitting the wall, but then in the end it 'cleared the sill of the world.' Signup and view all the answers

How did the flashback change the dad's decision on helping his daughter?

he decided to try and let her figure it out by herself Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the rhyme between starling and darling?

He tells his daughter 'it is always a matter, my darling, of life or death.' The starling almost died, but made it out okay. He is now using the story of the starling to tell his daughter that she will have difficulties but she will always make it out okay. Signup and view all the answers

What is the extended metaphor?

comparing the daughter's composition to a ship Signup and view all the answers

Why does the dad wish the daughter what he wished her before but harder?

He wishes her more luck because he won't help her like he was when he said it the first time. Signup and view all the answers

What is the theme of 'The Writer'?

Sometimes the best thing a parent can do for their child is let them figure it out by himself. Signup and view all the answers

What is the daughter writing a story of?

her life Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Author of "The Writer"

Richard Wilbur is the author of "The Writer."

Poem Structure

The poem is written in blank verse with a constant structure of tercets, lacking traditional rhyme and meter.

Nautical Terms

A "prow" refers to the front of a ship.
A "gunwale" denotes the side of a ship.

Thematic Elements

The phrase "the stuff of her life is a great cargo, and some of it heavy" signifies that life has its burdens and serious challenges.
The daughter experiences writer's block when she pauses, indicating a struggle to produce content.

Father's Reflection

The father chooses not to intervene while his daughter writes, recalling a story about a starling trapped in a room.

Starling Story Significance

The past event involving the starling illustrates themes of confinement and eventual liberation; it struggled to escape but ultimately "cleared the sill of the world."

Impact of Flashback

The father's reflection on the starling leads him to allow his daughter to work through her issues independently.

Rhyme Significance

The rhyme between "starling" and "darling" emphasizes the father's message about overcoming difficulties, stressing life and death stakes through metaphor.

Extended Metaphor

The daughter's writing process is extendedly compared to navigating a ship, linking creativity and struggle.

Parental Wishes

The father's wish for his daughter to have more luck is tied to his decision to refrain from offering immediate help.

Central Theme

The poem conveys that sometimes the most supportive action a parent can take is to allow their child to solve problems on their own.

Daughter's Writing Focus

The daughter is writing a story that reflects her own life experiences.

Description

Test your knowledge on Richard Wilbur's poem 'The Writer' with these flashcards. Explore the themes, structures, and nautical terms embedded in the text. Perfect for literature enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding.