Essay Questions

Deconstruct the Imagery of a Bee and a flower in “Begging Another.”

The bee characterizes the speaker who is male whereas the flower symbolizes the female (addressee). The kiss characterizes the sweet nectar is flowers. The love that the speaker embraces is as fragrant as the nectar.

How does the occupation of a father foster reverse growth?- “Occupation: Father”

The speaker asserts, “I interest myself/ in his uninteresting concerns/ grow backward to him/more than hoping to find a forward interest for myself.” The father must submerse in the childhood domain for him to contribute dynamically in his son’s life. The preoccupation encumbers the father from concentrating adulthood issues. The backward growth qualifies the father to back his son’s learning and progression.

Which attributes does the lily emphasize in “Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow?

The speaker asks, “Have you seen but a bright lily grow/Before rude hands have touched it?” The lily’s brilliance and capability to flourish despite intrusion from the impolite hands exemplifies resilience and willpower. The lily bounces back for it does not submit to the offensiveness. The belligerent hands do not exterminate the lily’s resolve to bloom.