Leslie Doria AP Eng.lit
Graded Assignment
Victorian Era Literature Unit Test, Part 2
In this section, you'll have 40 minutes to develop an essay response to the following prompt. Complete this teacher-scored portion of the Unit Test, and submit it to your teacher by the due date for full credit.
Essay
(80 points)
Bessie sings the poem shown below to the youthful Jane Eyre, after which Jane sobs uncontrollably and is unable to eat. After reading and analyzing the poem carefully, address the following question:
How does the language of the poem reflect Jane's progress toward independence?
In your response, focus on tone, imagery, and any other elements of language that seem important. As you refer to the poem and other elements of the novel, point to specific passages, incidents, and uses of language that illustrate your thesis. Don’t summarize the plot.
My feet they are sore, and my limbs they are weary;
Long is the way, and the mountains are wild;
Soon will the twilight close moonless and dreary
Over the path of the poor orphan child.
Why did they send me so far and so lonely,
Up where the moors spread and grey rocks are piled?
Men are hard-hearted, and kind angels only
Watch o’er the steps of a poor orphan child.
Yet distant and soft the night breeze is blowing,
Clouds there are none, and clear stars beam mild,
God, in His mercy, protection is showing,
Comfort and hope to the poor orphan child.
Ev’n should I fall o’er the broken bridge passing,
Or stray in the marshes, by false lights beguiled,
Still will my Father, with promise and blessing,
Take to His bosom the poor orphan child.
There is a thought that for strength should avail me,
Though both of shelter and kindred despoiled;
Heaven is a home, and a rest will not fail me;
God is a friend to the poor orphan child.
Answer:
In the poem that bessie sings to Jane In Jane Eyre was an act of foreshadowing by Bronte. “The Poor Orphan Child”, lets readers know how Janes life will transition to being more independent and away from the challenges she had to endure in her upbringing. The progression of tone,diction, and imagery from being negative to positive connotati...
