Figurative Language, Imagery, and Sound
All in a Song
You have analyzed two poems written by Anne Bradstreet, focusing on the roles figurative language, imagery, and sound have in helping to express the poet's theme. Songs are very similar to poems, as they, too, rely on such poetic elements to express a song writer's message. For instance, your favorite song may use rhyming couplets to help the flow of the song.
In this assignment, first read Anne Bradstreet's poem "Upon a Fit of Sickness." Use the method of analysis that you used to analyze the two Bradstreet poems that you read in the topic Content.
Upon a Fit of Sickness
Twice ten years old not fully told
since nature gave me breath,
My race is run, my thread spun,
lo, here is fatal death.
All men must die, and so must I;
this cannot be revoked.
For Adam's sake this word God spake
when he so high provoked.
Yet live I shall, this life's but small,
in place of highest bliss,
Where I shall have all I can crave,
no life is like to this.
For what's this but care and strife
since first we came from womb?
Our strength doth waste, our time doth haste,
and then we go to th' tomb.
O bubble blast, how long can'st last?
that always art a breaking,
No sooner blown, but dead and gone,
ev'n as a word that's speaking.
O whilst I live this grace me give,
I doing good may be,
Then death's arrest I shall count best,
because it's Thy decree;
Bestow much cost
there's nothing lost,
to make salvation sure,
O great's the gain, though got with pain,
comes by profession pure.
The race is run, the field is won,
the victory's mine I see;
Forever known, thou envious foe,
the foil belongs to thee.
-- Anne Bradstreet
After you have analyzed the poem for its meaning and have taken note of the types of figurative language, imagery, and sound devices used in the poem, find a song that has a similar theme as Bradstreet's poem "Upon a Fit of Sickness." In an electronic document, write two to three paragraphs that provide the following information:
- The song’s title and artist, and a link to the lyrics of the song
- An explanation of how your chosen song reflects a similar theme as Bradstreet’s poem
- An explanation of figurative language used in the song and its significance
- An explanation of imagery used in the song and its significanc.
- An explanation of at least three sound devices that are used in the song and their effects on the audience.
- An explanation as to why you chose the song and of the similarities between the song and Bradstreet’s poem.
You will need to use resources outside of this course to complete this assignment, so please submit a Works Cited document with your assignment submission. If you need assistance, visit the Developmental Module for information on citing any resources that you used.
As you complete the assignment, review the All in a Song Checklist to ensure that you have included all needed items.
When you have completed the assignment, please submit it with your Works Cited document to the dropbox.