My Rhetorical Mapping and Companion Poem
What is Rhetorical Mapping:
Rhetorical Mapping is when you take a poem you like and look for things like literary devices, transitions, the title, and use the way that author did those things to inspire you. You are using that authors format as a way to write your own poems.
Poem: "Fear," by Raymond Carver
Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the past rising up. Fear of the present taking flight. Fear of the telephone that rings in the dead of night. Fear of electrical storms. Fear of the cleaning woman who has a spot on her cheek! Fear of dogs I've been told won't bite. Fear of anxiety! Fear of having to identify the body of a dead friend. Fear of running out of money. Fear of having too much, though people will not believe this. Fear of psychological profiles. Fear of being late and fear of arriving before anyone else. Fear of my children's handwriting on envelopes. Fear they'll die before I do, and I'll feel guilty. Fear of having to live with my mother in her old age, and mine. Fear of confusion. Fear this day will end on an unhappy note. Fear of waking up to find you gone. Fear of not loving and fear of not loving enough. Fear that what I love will prove lethal to those I love. Fear of death. Fear of living too long. Fear of death. I've said that. |
My Mapping:
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Poem Prompt:
What do you want out of life? If your life were to end today, would you say that you've gotten what you wanted out of life? Write a poem exploring this idea.
Understanding the poem:
My companion poem was in a list. It listed all the fears that the parents had about their children. I decided that i was going to list all the things i felt i wanted out of life. Instead of making them in list form I placed them into stanzas. I go from graduating college, to getting a job, to being married and having children. Using my companion map i stuck with the listing of ideas. I made sure to show my ideas through images and like my companion poem I ended it with the thought of death.
My Poem:
Living to the fullest
after "Fear" by Raymond Carver What is living life to its fullest? Is it taking chances or following your dreams. For me it’s throwing that cap into the air As pomp and circumstance plays the opening to my new chapter. It’s waking up every morning, To the ear to ear grins of the children in my classroom. It’s having those friends you can call family. The ones that know your secrets, fears, and greatest moments. It’s taking those friends to see the wonders of the world. Spinning a globe to find the right destination. Checking off countries along the way. It’s looking in the mirror to see myself in that white gown. A veil gently hiding my face. Watching as my father lifts it away, so I can see my soul mate. A love that’s like noticing my lip quiver when I’m sad. Before I know it, your gentle arms are wrapped around me It’s giving the miracle of life to a child. Embracing him or her in my arms, As tears roll down my smiling face. It’s being there for their first day of preschool. To their college graduation day. It’s reaching goals my parents always wished for me. Showing them they raised their daughter right. It’s taking care of myself. Eating healthy, exercise, doctor visits. It’s being there to see my children walk down the aisle. This is living life to its fullest. |