The Mystery of the Caves

Catarina Sousa
Mr. Perez
AP English
21 November 2011

In the poem “Mysteries of the Caves,” by Michael Waters, the lost boy finds his way or a path threw a rough time. This path isn’t actual, nor is it said. But, by the title, the caves seem to explain different directions the boy could go. For example, the imagery in this poem tell the story about a boy experiencing traumatic events such a his parents getting into a gruesome argument or about his path towards heaven. The symbolism of light and as he approached it makes him suicidal with the though of dying as his way out. The cave of light will help him forget about the pain, making him numb enough to enjoy himself. Each stanza is a new cave that appears, but the fact that reaching for the light was the 2nd stanza, it seems that its what approached his mind more quickly like the first resort.
In the book, the lost boy could be talking about could actually stand for a letter that his mother wrote him while he was too little to remember anything. The letter could be lengthy, being referred to as a book, explains the relationship between the mother and the father. The lost boy, is probably just looking for his mother in heaven, trying to feel a mother’s warmth, rather than be so lonely. He wants to find home, and home traditionally is with a family, that’s what he really is craving at this point in his life. The only person that could bring him home now is his imagination where he can picture the past and remember now that all is said and done, he needs to move on and find himself.

Catarina Sousa
Mr. Perez
AP English
11/14/11
Existentialism
“The idea that I am born into a particular time, place, family, and economic environment is absurd,” is one idea of Existentialism that I completely disagree with. I, in particular, have always thought I was meant to live in the 1920s. I see that era in time, and it’s just not a liking, it’s a feeling of belonging. I believe God put us in this certain time and era to meet people that will shape us into becoming the real us. For example, people are placed in either a big city with busy streets, local farms to help the family business, or a typical suburb with more drama than MTV. You act how you act because of your surroundings. There are certain people you call “family” that you were brought up to believe that they will always be there. It’s true for most, but some learn the hard way that they have to rely on themselves; those people tend to be more independent. That family should be able to support you in most cases, but if you were brought up in the 1930’s when the great depression hit, you would rather buy food than new shoes. In this age in time, we are selfish and greedy, but take it back to 40 years ago and we were all about peace and love. Basically, each era was filled with people whom saw themselves differently than others, but now we find a connection between all of them. We categorize them as a “type” rather than individuals, which I think was caused by living in the 2000’s, we don’t see uniqueness anymore, we see everything as a whole, which I have trouble understanding if it’s a good technique or perhaps not.

An Echo Sonnet: To an Empty Page

Catarina Sousa
Mr. Perez
AP English
7 November 2011
An Echo Sonnet: To an Empty Page
The sonnet, “To an Empty Page,” is a well written poem in the English sonnet form. This story can be perceived in many different ways. My perception of the story being told is about a man who is trying to find himself. Along this journey to nowhere, he doubts his own life and the people around him. This would include his family, which he doubts would even shed a tear to find him dead, and possibly his friends. To describe death he uses sleep. The symbolism of sleep in this sonnet causes us to believe that the narrator is in a deep depression. Once this hits someone, they question everyone around them, especially their friends and family. Also, they think of death and truly ask, who would cry? The title fits this sonnet completely well. I believe that it’s called “An Empty Page” solely for the purpose that everyone’s life is a to-do list. By that, one they accomplish what they had to do, it disappears from the imaginary sheet of paper. Thus, leaving an empty page once it’s time to go. The narrator seems too comfortable with death, therefore to consider the narrator suicidal isn’t questionable. His attitude and the tone he gives off is scared. It almost seems as if he is looking for a way out of life. Sleep or probable death is leading him closer to the edge.

Sonnet 130

Catarina Sousa
Mr. Perez
AP English
4 November 2011
Sonnet 130
In the Shakespearean sonnet, “Sonnet 130”, we are presented with a settling amount of literary devices. But, one that sticks out the most happens to be imagery. Imagery is perceived in this poem to describe the beloved. He uses words such as “coral”, “snow”, “roses”, etc. You may think he compares his beloved to these wonders of nature, but instead he tells us she is the complete opposite. The speaker states that although her looks have no qualities worth speaking of, he reminds us that his love for her is the truest there is and no other man’s love can compare. The narrorator knows that there are better things in life than this mistress, but he makes us believe that although he can do better, he has no intention to do so. The imagery of nature in this poem relates to the decision because in nature, you take what you get and make the most of it. Love, as weather or earth’s natural plants and creatures, is spontaneous. You enjoy the beauty, but you know better things await. But, his tone begins to change towards the end while he uses imagery of heaven and swears by God that he truly loves this mistress and wouldn’t trade her for anything. Basically, the imagery in this Shakespearean poem challenges the traditional image of beauty and keeps a focus on the realistic part of his mistress, her inner soul.

Sonnet 39 Essay.

            Sonnet 39 by Sir Phillip Sidney is an extremely beautiful poem that has a variety of hidden messages. From its title to its last line, each word written sparks a new idea bout Astrophel and Stella’s mysterious love. The moon, in this case is like a therapist to Astrophel. He complains about his love for Stella, and speaks to it and if it understands the same loneliness that he is going through. The moon and Astrophel develop a bond while he realizes his love for Stella will always remain whether it be night or day.

            The title of the book has a meaning on its own. Astro- meaning star, combined with Phel- meaning lover, creates star lover. I believe Sidney made these clever names to show how devoted Astrophel to Stella. What we really have in life that we carry to the grave is our name. Sidney is referring to Stella as his whole world and what he will die for. She is his pride and he will fight for her and his name; they were meant to be together since birth.

            Basically, the poem is about the infinite love for a woman. Astrophel reaches out to the moon for a talk. His encounter with the pale moon questions if he has been wounded by cupid’s arrow also. The moon is pale, moves slowly by its lonesome in the dark. He questions if the moon is lovesick as he is. Astrophel finds of way of expressing his feelings by asking the moon various questions, for example, if love is looked as “foolish”. Does it have the same reputation as it does on earth? He also asks the moon is women enjoy being loved, rather than true. Astrophel considers a women’s love vain rather than full of joy. I find his obsession with Stella causes him to find all things bad in her, but he is just so crazy in love that the only thing he looks forward to seeing her the next day.

            Metonymy in this sonnet gives those hidden messages an opportunity to let the reader’s mind wander. For example, “Come Sleep! O Sleep, the certain knot of peace”, sleep in this sentence is like medicine for pain and grief. He wants to sleep, perhaps to stop the aching pain of Stella on his mind, or perhaps about Stella not having “real” love for him. In this case, he thinks about her while looking at the moon, before he goes to sleep. He thinks intensively bout love and if it’s the same in the different realms such as heaven and earth. He seeks advice from the moon, but knows the moon can’t help him or anyone for that matter fight against their obsessions.

            Being hopelessly obsessed gives the speaker a very obvious tone. The voice of the speaker is anxious, willing and desperate. His anxiety to see Stella that keeps him from resting his head, he’ll stay up all night just to see her as the sun rises. Astrophel appears willing since he will go out of his way and waste his time thinking of someone who doesn’t do the same. Lastly, he is beyond desperate for the fact that while he gets treated badly by Stella, he still sticks around waiting for her to plead for his love. Thus, proving that he scared of being alone that resists his affection. In the end, he realizes that he will see her eventually and quickly has another change in tone, suddenly happy, Astrophel realizes that Stella is the one and can’t wait to be with her again.