What is the theme of the poem Old Ironsides?
Major Themes in “Old Ironsides”: Glory, Victory, and pride are some of the major themes layered in this poem. The poem centers on the holy ship that has served in various battles. Throughout the poem, Oliver Wendell Holmes expresses that the ship’s history and its exemplary services should not be disregarded.
What is the theme of Old Ironsides quizlet?
The poem is about a ship, the USS Constitution, which was condemned to be scrapped. Holmes describes the glory of it and how it is a symbol of America’s freedom. Holmes talks about how the glory of the ship is that the “harpies of the shore” (greedy business men) will take the ship and use its scraps for profit.
What is the emotion of Old Ironsides?
The emotions in this poem probably are the ones that Oliver Wendell Holmes was feeling on that afternoon in 1830 when he sat down and wrote out “Old Ironsides,” but they are the simple emotions of a young man angry at government incompetence.
What does Harpies of the shore mean?
With the lines ‘The harpies of the shore shall pluck / The eagle (American symbol) of the sea,’ Holmes demonstrates that it’s often those who have the least to do with the ship or country’s operations that are the most willing to allow it to fall into disrepair.
Which of the following best describes the style of Old Ironside?
Terms in this set (10) Which of the following best describes the style of “Old Ironsides”? It is similar to that of many European poems.
How does the ship resemble a meteor?
He states that the ship has led a life that included battles roaring beneath its banner and cannons flying like “meteors” through the air. These things which were once so powerful and even moving should be torn down.
What is the speaker referring to in Old Ironsides when he writes the eagle of the sea?
‘Old Ironsides’ by Oliver Wendell Holmes speaks on the glory of the USS Constitution on the eve of its decommissioning. The poem begins with the speaker agreeing that the ship should be decommissioned.
What literary devices are used in Old Ironsides?
Literary Devices Examples in Old Ironsides: This line uses alliteration, or the repetition of consonants, in the words “waves,” “were,” and “white.” The rapid repetition of the soft “w” consonant mirrors the sound of the ocean and reinforces the poem’s steady rhythm.
What does tattered mean in Old Ironsides?
In the first lines the speaker says that yes, they should “Tear her tattered ensign down!” He suggests that it has “waved” for a long time “on high” and it is time for it to retire. This is emphasized with the following line which describes how “many an eye” has seen it “dance” about in the sky.
What does the poet mean by the lines the Harpies of the shore shall pluck the eagle of the sea?
harpies are greedy or grasping people and the ship is the eagle of the sea. This is mythological allusion.
What does the poet mean by the lines the harpies of the shore shall pluck the eagle of the sea?
What does the speaker suggest should be done with Old Ironsides in the third stanza?
Stanza Three It should be sunk “beneath the wave.” All of “Her” history should be wiped away and forgotten. As with the previous sections, it is clear the poet does not actually mean for this to happen. He describes the ship’s grave mournfully.
Who might the harpies be what is the eagle of the sea explain this metaphor lines 15 16?
2) Lines 15 & 16 contain the images “harpies of the shore” and ”eagle of the sea. ” ”Harpies of the shore” would be people that would take advantage of a docked ship (i.e. pirates). “The eagle of the sea” is another name for the ship. 3) The speaker finally suggests that the ship should sink.
What do you think the chambered nautilus symbolizes or represents for the speaker of the poem?
The speaker or narrator of the poem uses the nautilus as a metaphor for the human soul, stressing that its example provides a “heavenly message” of how people should grow and develop through their lives.
How do you know what the theme of a poem is?
Four Questions for Identifying Themes in Poetry
- What are the explicit themes? In other words, what themes or topics do you see in the poem on the first read-through?
- What is the poem’s overall tone? What thoughts or emotions does the poet convey?
- What is the poem’s overall mood?
- What are the implicit themes?
What does theme mean in poetry?
Theme is the central message or perception that the writer wants to convey to the readers. A theme often teaches a moral lesson to the reader. It is a universal idea that can be applied to anyone.
What is the theme of The Chambered Nautilus poem?
Death and the Afterlife Because the nautilus’s building of its shell is an extended metaphor for the speaker’s spiritual life, “The Chambered Nautilus” can be interpreted as an allegory about death and the journey toward the afterlife.
What lesson is learned in The Chambered Nautilus?
“The Chambered Nautilus” As a Representative of Life: This poem is an expression of wonder. It begins with the description of a tiny nautilus which means a pelagic marine mollusk found in the sea. The speaker says that we should adopt the struggling attitude of the nautilus throughout the expanse of our life.