One of the forms of poems we have been examining in class during our poetry unit is DIDACTIC. A Didactic poem's purpose is to teach or inform its audience about a social issue, while helping to (by requiring the reader to reflect upon their role within the larger issue) correct the issue.
"Snake" by D.H. Lawrence is about man's relationship, and ultimate control over nature; the guilt felt by the boy at the end of the poem reveals this: "And so, I missed my chance with one of the lords / Of life./ And I have something to expiate:/ A pettiness." (71-74). As well, the author is able to present a commentary about what our education system is teaching us in terms of what it means to be a man: "The voice of my education said to me / He must be killed" (23-24), "And voices in me said, If you were a man / You would take a stick and break him now, and finish him off" (27-28). The guilt felt by the speaker, upon reflection of his act of violence towards the snake, reveals to us that we must act according to our own conscience, rather than the teachings of society sometimes.
This week you will be examining: What social issues are present in the novel you have been most recently reading? (ie. poverty, justice, inequality, crime, discrimination, human rights, disrespect, moral or value struggles, misuse of power etc.) and What purpose do these social issue serve in the novel itself?
INSTRUCTIONS:
In your blog post this week, describe ONE social issue present in your current novel, prove it exists with direct reference to the text and then explain its purpose to the story.
NOTE: To satisfy the last requirement of this week's post, you will need to return to your lessons on SIGNIFICANCE as you are really answering, "Why has this social issue been presented in your novel?".
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