poetry assignment 2

POETRY ASSIGNMENT INSTEAD OF A TEST

Read the poem, “The Last Song”, by Bernie Taupin and Elton John. Answer the questions on the reverse on loose leaf. This is an assignment, but it is to be treated as a test. You may not discuss your answers with anyone, but you may use your notes. Use your time in class wisely as it is due at the end of class.

THE LAST SONG
By Bernie Taupin and Elton John

Yesterday you came to lift me up
As light as straw and brittle as a bird
Today I weigh less than a shadow on the wall
Just one more whisper of a voice unheard

Tomorrow leave the windows open
As fear grows please hold me in your arms
Won’t you help me, if you can, to shake this anger
I need your gentle hands to keep me calm

‘Cause I never thought I’d lose
I only thought I’d win
I never dreamed I’d feel
This fire beneath my skin
I can’t believe you love me
I never thought you’d come
I guess I misjudged love
Between a father and his son

Things we never said come together
The hidden truth no longer haunting me
Tonight we touched on the things that were
never spoken
That kind of understanding sets me free

QUESTIONS
Answer all questions using complete sentences. Be sure to support your ideas, where necessary, with examples from the poem.

Value: 20 points
1. What is the speaker afraid of ? (1 point)
2. Why is the speaker angry? (1 point)
3. Explain one metaphor in the poem. (2 points)
4. Explain one simile in the poem. (2 points)
5. There is one example of personification in the poem. Locate it and explain it.
(3 points)
6. What do lines 19-21 mean? (2 points)
7. How are lines 19-21 significant to the meaning of the poem? (2 points)
8. This poem makes a comment about the love between a father and a son. Discuss the comment this poem makes regarding this relationship between and son, as well as how the poem comments on relationships between parents and children, in general. (6 points)
9. How is the title significant and appropriate? (1 point)