"I taste a liquor never brewed"

“I taste a liquor never brewed” by Emily Dickinson

Extended Metaphor

“I taste a liquor never brewed” is an extended metaphor and it compares being drunk to being drunk of nature. We know that the speaker is not literally drinking beer because the title, “liquor never brewed.” “Not all the Vats upon the Rhine Yield such an Alcohol!” (Dickinson, 797). The Rhine river is known as a location where grapes for wine are grown and alcohol is fermented. The speaker saying that the best alcohol does not compare to nature conveys the truly amazing feeling of being surrounded by nature. The comparison towards nature is revealed through the diction of a “drunken Bee,” “Foxgloves,” and “Butterflies.” Since the extended metaphor is comparing being drunk to nature, “Molten Blue” and “Pearl” represent the blue sky and fluffy clouds. “Till Seraphs… and Saints—to windows run—to see the little Tippler Leaning against the—Sun,” (Dickinson, 797). This excerpt shows the amused and happy reaction of the Seraphs and saints to this person drunk with nature.  The person drunk with nature “leaning against the sun” further emphasizes the comparison to nature and relates back to the idea of drunks not being able to stand up straight.

"My Mistress' Eyes"

“My Mistress’ Eyes” by William Shakespeare

Question 1

The speaker in the poem mocks the typical comparisons of love poetry. This indicates the exaggeration of beauty typically used in love poetry. These comparisons contribute to a negative and satirical tone in the first twelve lines of the sonnet. “My misstres’ eyes are nothing like the sun,” (Shakespeare, 885). This line of the poem makes fun of the commonly used cliché in love poetry, “your eyes are like the sun.” “Coral is far more red than her lips’ red,” (Shakespeare, 885). This recalls the comparison of lips being red as coral. “But no such roses see I in her cheeks,” (Shakespeare, 885). Love poems often make comparisons of their lover having cheeks as red as roses. A common cheesy comparison in love poetry is comparing a lover to a goddess. Shakespeare makes fun at this comparison in his poem. For example, “I grant I never saw a goddess go, my mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground,” (Shakespeare, 885).

"Barbie Doll"

“Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

Question 1

Barbie dolls are supposed to be the superficial beauty that every girl dreams of being. Barbie’s are stick thin, have long legs, and a perfect face. A classmate said to the girl, “You have a great big nose and fat legs,” (Piercy, 835). The girl “possessed strong arms and back,” (Piercy, 835). The girl having strong arms and back indicate she is not stick thin, but full and healthy. Barbie dolls are lifeless and therefore do not possess human qualities. The poem describes the girl as lifelike and human through words such as “intelligent,” “healthy,” and “apologizing.” Because people only saw appearance in the girl, she strived to become more like a Barbie doll. The lifelessness of a Barbie doll is emphasized through diction in the poem. For example, “In the casket displayed on satin she lay with the undertaker’s cosmetics painted on,” (Piercy, 836).

"Hunters in the Snow"

“Hunters in the Snow” by Tobias Wolff

Question 5

In the beginning of the short story, Tub appears to be a stock character. He is the primary object of Kenny’s jokes. For example, “ ‘You ought to see yourself,’ the driver said. ‘He looks like a beach ball with a hat on, doesn’t he? Doesn’t he Frank?’ ” (Wolff, 187). All Kenny does is make fun of Tub and Tub just takes it. Tub falls behind while hunting, and Kenny and Frank think that it is funny to move the truck and act like they are leaving. Tub appears to be a stock character, but he is a fully realized individual. When Kenny goes through a pattern of saying he hates things and then shooting them, he points the gun at Tub. In defense, Tub shoots Kenny. At this moment, we realize that Tub initiates action and is not just an object in people’s jokes. Another instance where we realize Tub’s individualism is where he talks with Frank about his problems. He mentions that he lies to his wife about why he is fat. This reveals that Tub has insecurities and problems that every individual has. Knowing that he has a family to take care of contributes to the characterization that Tub is a fully realized individual.

"A Jury of Her Peers"

“A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

Question 3

The men in the story share the common assumption that women work in the kitchen and take care of the house. For example, “ ‘Dirty towels! Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?’ ” (Glaspell, 412). Men also believe that women are not capable of intelligent and critical thinking especially when it comes to finding criminal clues.  “ ‘But would the women know a clue if they did come upon it?’ ” (Glaspell, 413). They try to show that women are not their inferiors by leaving them on their own to do things and trusting them. In addition, after stating typical stereotypes about women, the men would appear to be appreciative of what women did. For example, “ ‘And yet,’ said he, with the gallantry of a young politician, ‘for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies?’ ” (Glaspell, 412). Their assumptions are ironic because they were unable to find any evidence of Mrs. Wright murdering her husband. Instead, the women found evidence and decided not to share it with the men. The women stuck together because they knew the hardships that Mrs. Wright had to face. The clues that led to finding the evidence were through details that only women would have noticed, such as the stitching on a quilt and the messiness of the kitchen. Keeping the evidence is in a way getting back at the men for their assumption that women are inferior.

Othello Acts IV & V

Othello by William Shakespeare

Desdemona

Desdemona is a truly faithful wife. She not only proves this with her conversation with Emilia, but also during her own murder. During the time Othello was angry with her, she still forgave and loved him. “My love doth so approve him that even his stubbornness, his checks, his frowns… have grace and favor in them,” (IV, iii, 18-20). When Othello tells Desdemona that he will murder her, she does not get up from her bed. She tries to persuade him not to kill her because she has faith that he will act reasonably. Moreover, when Emilia interrupts the murder, she hears Desdemona’s voice and asks Desdemona who murdered her. Desdemona’s response is, “Nobody, I myself. Farewell,” (V, ii, 122). Even when Othello murdered Desdemona despite her pleas for mercy, Desdemona does not rat him out.

Othello Acts IV &V

Othello by William Shakespeare

Bianca

Towards the end of Act IV scene i, Iago uses Bianca to carry out his deceitful plans. Through his act of deceiving Othello, he talks to Cassio about Bianca, but he makes Othello believe Cassio is talking about Desdemona. Bianca comes in to talk to Cassio in that moment about a handkerchief she found in his bedroom. By presenting Desdemona’s handkerchief, she provides ocular evidence that what Iago says is true. “This is some knix’s token, and I must take ou the work? There, give it your hobbyhorse,” (IV, I, 144-146). Cassio’s attitude towards Bianca is not serious. This attitude is conveyed in the conversation with Iago, which further angers Othello. Despite what Othello hears about Desdemona (really Bianca), he becomes angry because he loves Desdemona. He hates Cassio not only for his actions but for how he mocks Desdemona. Although a minor character, Bianca becomes a huge contribution to the success of Iago’s plans.