Example take home test
Deep Philosophy of Life in John Clare’s What Is Life?
Desi Ratna Sari
Introduction
Why do you choose this poem? Why not the other poems? Why do you think this poem is
interesting to analyze? Then why do you think the philosophical depth within the poem is worth
discussing instead of other aspects?
Mention your thesis statement. Mention briefly the relevant subtopics that you will include in
this paper, and explain briefly why these subtopics are necessary in order to answer your main
objective/thesis statement.
The Twist and Turn of John Clare’s Life
List and explain briefly the important e e ts i Joh Clare’s life (personal, family, education,
occupation etc). Please note that you should not mention everything. Choose only the relevant
ones. Plus, mention Joh Clare’s position in his society—if possible, the way he saw things/others.
In Between the Lines: A Romantic or Victorian Poet?
Try to seek the relevant events during Romanticism and Victorian period. What suits him
best? Romanticism or Victorian major style/trend? Mention other works by John Clare and see
the similarities and differences with the poem under discussion. Did John Clare often use
conventional style or innovation for his works? Regarding the theme, are his other poems
similarly philosophical? Do his other poems also contain deep philosophy of life?
Deep Philosophy of Life in John Clare’s What Is Life?
What is the poem about? How is the message of the poem delivered intrinsically? What is the
major poetic device used in the poem? Is it imagery? Figurative language? Musical device? If
imagery, which imagery is dominant? Visual? Auditory? Or the others? And do you think it is/they
are employed effectively? (relate it with Q#1) If figurative language, what is it/are they?
Metaphor? Irony? Or others? And do you think it is/they are employed effectively? (relate it with
Q#1) If musical device, what are they?
Any rhyme scheme? Specific meter? And do you think it is/they are employed effectively?
(relate it with Q#1) How is the diction? Daily languague? Any social referent reflected in the
diction? Is it strong enough to support the main message of the poem?
Is the
style/genre/structure of the poem relevant to the literary trend during the era of its production?
Is the theme/vie
that Joh Clare o eys i his What Is Life relevant with popular theme
during the period?
Does the poem contain any universal element?
Relate the different views of life that
humankind might have ever thought. Is there any connection between the deep philosophy of life
i the poe
ith the poet’s life/ ay of life? To what extent can the content of the poem be
related with the personal accounts of the poet? If any, which aspects of the poem that you can
relate to the poet’s life (so ial lass, edu ation, job, family, etc if relevant)? What is his/her
perceptions, thoughts, feelings, dreams, desires, memories? And how are these reflected in the
given poem? Plus, is there any reflection of social condition at that time? If yes, explain further. If
not, give your reason. Note: Try to relate every event in his life (that you mention in your essay)
to your thesis statement/essay topic. If you think there is no connection, say so and try to provide
possi le reaso s hy there is ’t a y o
e tio .
Conclusion
Provide a brief conclusion of your essay.
Reference
Author’s a e. Year of Pu li atio . Title of the book. Pla e of Pu li atio : Pu lisher’s a e.
Author’s a e. Year of Posti g. Title of the arti le. Na e of the e site. We -address.
Desi Ratna Sari
Introduction
Why do you choose this poem? Why not the other poems? Why do you think this poem is
interesting to analyze? Then why do you think the philosophical depth within the poem is worth
discussing instead of other aspects?
Mention your thesis statement. Mention briefly the relevant subtopics that you will include in
this paper, and explain briefly why these subtopics are necessary in order to answer your main
objective/thesis statement.
The Twist and Turn of John Clare’s Life
List and explain briefly the important e e ts i Joh Clare’s life (personal, family, education,
occupation etc). Please note that you should not mention everything. Choose only the relevant
ones. Plus, mention Joh Clare’s position in his society—if possible, the way he saw things/others.
In Between the Lines: A Romantic or Victorian Poet?
Try to seek the relevant events during Romanticism and Victorian period. What suits him
best? Romanticism or Victorian major style/trend? Mention other works by John Clare and see
the similarities and differences with the poem under discussion. Did John Clare often use
conventional style or innovation for his works? Regarding the theme, are his other poems
similarly philosophical? Do his other poems also contain deep philosophy of life?
Deep Philosophy of Life in John Clare’s What Is Life?
What is the poem about? How is the message of the poem delivered intrinsically? What is the
major poetic device used in the poem? Is it imagery? Figurative language? Musical device? If
imagery, which imagery is dominant? Visual? Auditory? Or the others? And do you think it is/they
are employed effectively? (relate it with Q#1) If figurative language, what is it/are they?
Metaphor? Irony? Or others? And do you think it is/they are employed effectively? (relate it with
Q#1) If musical device, what are they?
Any rhyme scheme? Specific meter? And do you think it is/they are employed effectively?
(relate it with Q#1) How is the diction? Daily languague? Any social referent reflected in the
diction? Is it strong enough to support the main message of the poem?
Is the
style/genre/structure of the poem relevant to the literary trend during the era of its production?
Is the theme/vie
that Joh Clare o eys i his What Is Life relevant with popular theme
during the period?
Does the poem contain any universal element?
Relate the different views of life that
humankind might have ever thought. Is there any connection between the deep philosophy of life
i the poe
ith the poet’s life/ ay of life? To what extent can the content of the poem be
related with the personal accounts of the poet? If any, which aspects of the poem that you can
relate to the poet’s life (so ial lass, edu ation, job, family, etc if relevant)? What is his/her
perceptions, thoughts, feelings, dreams, desires, memories? And how are these reflected in the
given poem? Plus, is there any reflection of social condition at that time? If yes, explain further. If
not, give your reason. Note: Try to relate every event in his life (that you mention in your essay)
to your thesis statement/essay topic. If you think there is no connection, say so and try to provide
possi le reaso s hy there is ’t a y o
e tio .
Conclusion
Provide a brief conclusion of your essay.
Reference
Author’s a e. Year of Pu li atio . Title of the book. Pla e of Pu li atio : Pu lisher’s a e.
Author’s a e. Year of Posti g. Title of the arti le. Na e of the e site. We -address.