Journal Exercise 5.1A: Morality Then Term Paper

Journal Exercise 5.3 B: Responding to Literature
1.
The cherry blossoms dint each other in the whisper of wind as I
throw them up in the air and prance under them, pretending I am
someone else's bride.
He comes, charging like a mule with his lips pursed and his hands clutched
over the bronze medallion he wears as if it were his heart-
his wife-
and I'm caught white handed with the smiles and the
cherry blossoms,
which dint each other in the whisper of wind and his
whispers to the guards.
When he turns his back, I see no more white
but only red,
only the cherries,
only my
blood
stained
smile.
2.
With the last line of his poem, Robert Browning not only casts light
on his character of the duke, but he also leaves the reader with a chilled
feeling. More than an effective conclusion, the line suggests that the duke is truly as malevolent as he suspects.Very quickly, he is able to
turn from the foreboding tone he uses to describe the hate he had for his
last wife-hate enough to probably murder her-to a light and whimsical tone,
which he uses to ask his the emissary to praise the richness of his
belongings. Not only does this allow the reader to finally understand how
psychotic the duke really is, as the quick changing of emotions to benefit
one's situation is a type of psychotic behavior, but also he or she is left
with the chilling sensation that this murderous man is still alive and in a
position of power, showing his guests around his home, while his wife lies
dead. The comment supports the overall message of the poem, therefore,
exemplifying its frightening tone and the malevolent character of the duke.
Though the ending is a shocking transition in tone for the duke, it….....