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Study Guide For Wallace Stevens Sunday Morning Poetry For Students

Oscar Wilde

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Wallace Stevens' "Sunday Morning" is a complex and challenging poem that explores themes of faith, doubt, and the nature of reality. This study guide will help you understand the poem's meaning and appreciate its artistry.

Summary

The poem is set on a Sunday morning in a small town. The speaker is sitting in her room, watching the sunlight stream through the trees. She is reflecting on her faith and doubting whether she still believes in God.

The speaker's doubts are sparked by the beauty of the natural world. She sees the flowers and the birds, and she marvels at their beauty. She wonders why God would create such a beautiful world if He did not exist.

A Study Guide for Wallace Stevens's "Sunday Morning" (Poetry for Students)

by Cengage Learning Gale

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	578 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	19 pages

The speaker also thinks about the people she knows. She sees them going to church, and she wonders what they believe. She wonders if they truly believe in God, or if they are just going through the motions.

The poem ends with the speaker still questioning her faith. She does not know whether she believes in God or not. However, she is content to live in doubt. She knows that she will find her own answers in time.

Analysis

"Sunday Morning" is a poem about faith and doubt. The speaker is struggling with her faith, and she is not sure what to believe. She is torn between the beauty of the natural world and the teachings of her religion.

The poem is full of beautiful imagery. The speaker describes the sunlight, the flowers, and the birds in great detail. She also uses metaphors and similes to create a vivid picture of her surroundings.

The poem is also very musical. The speaker uses a variety of rhyme and meter to create a pleasing sound. The poem's rhythm and rhyme help to emphasize the speaker's emotions.

Themes

The main themes of "Sunday Morning" are faith, doubt, and the nature of reality. The speaker is struggling with her faith, and she is not sure what to believe. She is torn between the beauty of the natural world and the teachings of her religion.

The poem also explores the nature of reality. The speaker questions whether the world is real or if it is just an illusion. She wonders if God is real or if He is just a figment of our imagination.

Symbolism

The poem is full of symbolism. The flowers, the birds, and the sunlight all represent different aspects of the speaker's faith and doubt. The flowers represent the beauty of the natural world, while the birds represent the freedom of the soul. The sunlight represents the light of God.

"Sunday Morning" is a complex and challenging poem that explores themes of faith, doubt, and the nature of reality. The poem is full of beautiful imagery, musicality, and symbolism. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

Discussion Questions

What are the speaker's doubts about her faith?
How does the beauty of the natural world affect the speaker's faith?
What does the poem say about the nature of reality?
What is the meaning of the poem's ending?
How does the poem's use of imagery, musicality, and symbolism contribute to its meaning?

A Study Guide for Wallace Stevens's "Sunday Morning" (Poetry for Students)

by Cengage Learning Gale

4 out of 5