activities

Activities

Activity 1: Ted Hughes is a modern poet; however, many contend that his work reflects that of the romantic era due to his frequent incorporation of nature into his literary works. Compare and contrast "Wind" with Tennyson's romantic poem "Break, Break, Break." How do they both share romantic themes? How does "Wind" reflect the writing of a modernist compared to "Break, Break, Break"?

"Break, Break, Break"

Break, break, break,
On thy cold gray stones, O Sea!
And I would that my tongue could utter
The thoughts that arise in me.

O, well for the fisherman's boy,
That he shouts with his sister at play!
O, well for the sailor lad,
That he sings in his boat on the bay!

And the stately ships go on
To their haven under the hill;
But O for the touch of a vanished hand,
And the sound of a voice that is still!

Break, break, break,
At the foot of thy crags, O Sea!
But the tender grace of a day that is dead
Will never come back to me.

Activity 2: Hughes uses distinct and powerful imagery in "Wind" to emphasize the power and strength of the storm. Rewrite a stanza of your choosing from "Wind" by replacing the imagery in the stanza with less potent description; compare and contrast the original poem with your version. How is the intended message altered when less forceful imagery is used?