ENGLISH LITERATURE

A presentation to bring out the similarities or the contrast between the spider and the fly and Desiderata to illustrate the concept of teaching a lesson what do these poems teach us?How far Are they successful in imparting the lessons?

DESIDERATA by MAX EHRMAN

• Max Ehrmann what is an American writer, poet, and fill his offer from Tere Hautta,Indiana, widely known for his 1927 prose poem,Desiderata. he often wrote on spiritual themes. The mid western environment and Armaan‘s community of friends provided inspiration for many office writings. His most noted work Desiderata was written in 1927. However, the prose poem gave him more fame posthumously than it did during his lifetime

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY by MARY BOTHAM HOWITT

• MaryBotham Howitt was an English poet, born at Coleford, England on March 12, 1799. Mary Botham was educated at home. She used to read a lot and began writing at an early age.
• The poem, the spider and the fly first appeared in Hogwarts collection sketches of natural history in 1834, a series of poem written to educate children about the realities of the natural world. It is a cautionary tale about the manner in which the innocent and gullible can be won over wily and shrewd predators who around in society

‘DESIDERATA’ AND ‘THE SPIDER AND THE FLY’

WHAT DO BOTH THE POEMS WANT TO CONVEY?

• Both the poems teach us how to lead a happy life.
• The main theme of the poem, Desiderata is leading and authentic lifestyle. The poem discusses the morals and values one should follow to lead a balanced and successful life.
• The theme of the spider and the fly is the danger of flattery depicting the common human weakness of being taken over by flattering comments.(continuation in next)

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• MaryHowitt, in this poem, is writing a pourable for children intending to impart a moral lesson.The poems last four lines is a clearly stating lesson regarding vanity, flattery, and proper good judgements .

CONVEYING MANNER OF BOTH THE POEMS:

• POSITIVTY: ‘Desiderata’ is morally instructional piece which offers a code for life emphasising, tolerance, inclusion, and optimism. Here the reader is urged to find peace within her themselves, and project this liner piece Inda dealings with the world. We see the poem endorsing and attitude to accept the world in all its entirely, with all its contrast.

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• NEGATIVITY: The poem ‘The Spider and the Fly’ is a cautionary fable that falls in the dark category of human.The approach of instilling ideas is still in our mind.This poem anthropomorphises characters to convey moral lessons of life

FORM AND STRUCTURAL MANNER OF BOTH THE POEMS:

• The syntax of the poem, the spider and the fly, is not at all too complicated. It allows a strict AABBCC scheme where the couplets rhyme. since it was tailored keeping children in mind, a lot of focus is put on visual imagery and easy sounds.
• The language of ‘Desiderata’ is simple and direct but instructional. Yes it is a philosophical poem and prose having eight stanzas of unequal length and number of verbs and adverbs have been used in the poem that add to in the instructional element of the poem.

CONCLUSION OF BOTH THE POEMS ULTIMATE LESSONS:

• Desiderata is a didactic poem, a morally instructional piece of words. It teaches us the best way to live life is to believe and discover that the best is yet to be. Yes it tells us to accept the way of life teaching us the basic things desired by man in order to lead a happy and fruitful life. Yes it is a concise but truly inspiring reminder to strive for high ideals.
• The poem spider and the fly shows one important lesson that proper judgement is very important. The poet tells us to understand the power of flattery.(continuation in next slide)

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• His tale tells about the powerful flattery that people get turned towards after knowing its consequences. Thus, this poem is a cautionary tale towards Flattery.

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