Lesson 29
Q1.) Describe the subtle changes in setting and analyze how these shifts reveal Eve’s fall from grace.
A1.) The subtle changes in setting begin between stanza one and stanza two. First the author focuses on where Eve is and then he subtly switches to the snake who is in a “corner.” The snake being in the corner is kind of like someone hiding in the corner because he knows that he did or is going to do something bad. In stanza six, the setting changes again and it changes from the serpent talking and persuading Eve and then they walk to the tree. These shifts in setting show the steps in Eve’s fall from grace because they start by describing Eve’s innocence, then the serpent’s evil, and then her “path” to evil.
Q2.) How does the poem’s diction contribute to tone and meaning? Consider the use of adjectives, verbs, and participles. Look for patterns, contrasts, and surprising juxtapositions of words.
A2.) The poem’s diction contributes to the tone and meaning because they way the serpent called Eve “Eva” is more enticing; kind of like a pet name for her. This use of a different name affected the tone because it made the reader see that the serpent was being sly and it gave a mischievous feel for the poem. The word “humble” is usually used as an adjective but this time it is used as a verb. This adds to the meaning of the poem because it reveals the motive of the serpent.
Q3.) Consider the poet’s use of figurative language. How does the choice of comparisons influence tone and meaning?
A3.) The choice of comparisons influences tone and meaning because it shows the innocence and evil of both characters in the poem. However, these characteristics change because Eve is no longer innocent in the end.
Q4.) Describe the meter, line length, and pattern of enjambment. What does the rhythm contribute to the mood of the poem?
A4.) The meter of the poem is dactyllic. The sound of the meter gives the feeling of being carefree much like Eve. The line length is that each stanza is about two sentences long and this continues to make the “song and dance” continue to be carefree. The rhythm contributes to the mood of the poem because the carefree vibe that is detected gives a carefree and easy mood.
Q5.) Describe the use of repetition and rhyme. Look for patterns. What does the repetition contribute to the mood of the poem?
A5.) The poem has repetition when the author writes “down in the bells and grass,” and he repeats Eve’s name, “Eva!” There is no rhyme scheme for the poem even though there is rhyming. The repetition adds to the mood of the poem because the end rhymes are made of significant words.
