The poem is about personally inflicted pain due to loss of love (like a breakup) "is there a balm in Gilead?" is actually a Bible reference, Gilead is a part of modern day Jordan, known for it's healing ointment. The narrator is really asking if there is any healing. The narrator continually asks dark questions of the raven fully knowing that the answer is always, "nevermore" therefore inflicting a sort of mental torture. Some people cut themselves, this guy asks birds what they think.
(not putting down self harmers, I'm one myself)
Answer:
Explanation:
The saying “Ignorance is bliss” originates in Thomas Gray’s poem “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College” (1742). The quote goes: “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.” Face it: you were better off not knowing that, weren’t you? Generally speaking, ignorance is a detestable state of mind. The more knowledge you have, the better equipped you are to deal with life. But ignorance itself doesn’t equal stupidity. For instance, I view myself as someone who is smart enough to realize his huge capacity for stupidity. I know there are massive gaps in my cultural and general knowledge. I would define my intellectual state as, at times, unaware. But who am I kidding? In some areas of life, I’m just plain ignorant, even if not by choice.
Answer:
Conformity.
Explanation:
A theme of any text can be the subject, the central topic or idea that is brought into play, or what the author wants to reveal or pass to the readers. Themes are the 'line' within which the story or plot revolves around and makes a connection between all the other aspects of the story.
In E. J. Vega's "Translating My Grandfather's House", the narrator's drawing of his grandfather's house was unrealistic for his teacher and classmates. So, he had to conform along the lines of what they believe to be realistic instead of accepting the truth. He knows what he drew was the truth but he had to change it to be accepted by the others.
Therefore, the<u> </u><u>best theme for this poem is conformity and the need to be 'one' with the masses/ popular belief</u>.
