Poetic Views of Canada

Not Just a Platform for my Dance
1) This poem fits into the theme “A Vast and Varied Land” as it is describing one area of Canada, that may or may not be different from the area of Canada that readers are from. It gives the reader another view of the land. Helping them to understand that Canada differs from place to place.
2) The author views the land as a part of her. The author feels connected to the land, she does not see the land as just something that she walks and lives on (not just a platform for her dance). The land is something that is a part of her life. She also experiences the land.
3) Metaphor- “...this land is my tongue my eyes my mouth...”
4) “...this land is not just a plot to bury my dead...” The land is not just something for her to use. The land makes up a part of her.
5) The theme is that the land we grow up in is not just a background it is something that can define who we are.

The Lonely Land
1) The lonely land fits into the theme “A Vast and Varied Land” as it describes a scene that occurs in various regions around Canada. It is again an alternate view of the land that some might no be familiar with.
2) The author views the land as strong and that that strength is beautiful. He is connected to the land because he feels its strength.
3) Simile- “...this smoky cry curled over a black pine like a broken and wind-battered branch...”
4) “This is the beauty of strength broken by strength and still strong.” He ends the poem by explaining the beauty he found in the scene described.
5) The theme of this poem is that the land is beautiful, but this beauty comes from its strength.

Survival
1) This poem fits into the theme “A Vast and Varied Land” as it describes life growing up on a farm. Farming being big in many parts of Canada. It showcases a different view on growing up in Canada that some might not be familiar with.
2) The author views the land as harsh, where things that are not functional don’t last. She is connected to the land in that she has experienced the negative parts of it as well so she has a good understanding of it.
3) Personification- “...the guilty blood all over him...”
4) “There was never gentleness.” This line sets the tone of the poem. She is not going to create an image of wonder and beauty.
5) The theme of this poem is that things that are romanticized often have a brutal side that people don’t see or choose not to believe.