4-2 Journal: The Main Theme Of Lucille Clifton’s Poem
This journal will provide an opportunity to practice structuring your ideas into an essay before completing Milestone Two in Module Five. For the
purpose of this journal, you will be required to select one of the poems assigned in the module (other than the Frost and Clifton poems), discuss what you
believe to be the theme, and identify literary elements that support that theme. Conclude your journal entry by describing how the literary elements you
identified helped you establish meaning in the poem.
Each paragraph should be 2–3 sentences. Use the following outline as a basis for your journal:
I. Introductory paragraph: Identify the central theme of the poem and identify two literary elements that make this theme clear. Create a onesentence
thesis statement.
II. Body Paragraph #1: Discuss a literary element in connection to the theme. For example, use this paragraph to discuss the symbols in the poem and
how they connect to the overall theme.
III. Body Paragraph #2: Discuss a literary element in connection to the theme. For example, use this paragraph to discuss the use of metaphors in this
poem and how they connect to the theme.
IV. Conclusion: Briefly discuss how these literary elements help to establish meaning in this poem.
Guidelines for Submission: Your journal entry should consist of four paragraphs that are 2–3 sentences in length. Use MLA formatting to cite your sources.
While reading these poems, consider the similarities in theme and the unique literary elements that are used in poems:
“Sonnet 130” by Shakespeare (p. 936)
“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Bradstreet (p. 941)
“There is a Girl Inside” by Clifton (p. 956)
“Eating Alone” by Lee (p. 970)
Your Subject and Section
Your professor’s name
April 3, 2017
Introduction
The main theme of Lucille Clifton’s poem, The Girl Inside, is about the idea that even though the body grows weak and feeble as it ages, the spirit does not and that this is something that we should appreciate. This idea is evident in both the poem’s ‘approving’ tone CITATION Vignd \l 1033 (Vigil) as well as the conflict presented which is between man and his fate CITATION Lun13 \l 1033 (Luna). As a well-known writer and poet for her skill in using imagery to create vivid mental images in the minds of her readers, I believe that the unique combination of both of these literary elements has been very significant for its ability to emphasize the point (which is the dichotomy between physical and spiritual age) that is being made in the poem.
Tone
Among the elements utilized in the poem, the tone delivered on of the greatest emotional impact in the mind of the readers. In the second paragraph the first two stanzas of the poem goes like this, “She has waited patient as a nun, fo...