ENG302B: American Literature

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Graded AssignmentENG302B:American Literature|Unit2| Lesson13: Unit Test© 2009K12 Inc. All rights reserved.Page1of4Copying ordistributing without K12’s written consent is prohibited.Graded AssignmentUnit Test, Part 2:American RenaissanceAnswer the questions using complete sentences.You may use your text to support your answers.(15points)1.Compare and contrast Emerson’s poem “The Snow-Storm” with Emily Dickinson’s poem “ItSifts from Leaden Sieves.” In what waysare their depictions of the snowstorms similar anddifferent? How do the differences affect the mood of each piece?Answer:Ralph Waldo Emerson’s"The Snow-Storm"and Emily Dickinson’s"It Sifts from Leaden Sieves"both address thetheme of snowstorms, yet their portrayals differ significantly in style, tone, and mood, reflecting each poet’sunique perspective. While Emerson’s depiction of the snowstorm is grand, almost awe-inspiring, Dickinson’s ismore intimate and focuses on the subtle yet powerful effects of the snow on nature.SimilaritiesBoth poems use the snowstorm as a metaphor for nature’s power, demonstrating how it transforms thelandscape. Emerson and Dickinson describe the snow as a force of nature that shapes the environment in adistinct way, showing how it covers everything in its path. In Emerson’s poem, the snowstorm is described assomething that “binds the earth in a white shroud,” and Dickinson also depicts the snow as a covering force,describing how it “sifts” and falls in a way that blankets the world. Both poems evoke a sense of transformation,where the ordinary is covered, reshaped, and changed by the snowstorm.Additionally, both poets convey the idea that the snowstorm is beyond human control. In Emerson’s poem, thestorm is likened to a powerful force that creates “architectural grandeur” and operates without human interference,reinforcing the idea that nature can outpace and surpass human design. Dickinson similarly portrays the snow as“sifting” silently and steadily, emphasizing its quiet, unstoppable nature. The notion of nature’s authority is presentin both works, even though it is conveyed through different lenses.DifferencesThe tone and mood of the two poems differ significantly. Emerson’s"The Snow-Storm"is awe-inspiring and filledwith grandeur. He uses vivid imagery to describe the snowstorm as a powerful, almost divine force that alters theworld. Phrases such as “a great architect” and “a silver veil” evoke the snowstorm’s ability to create a new,elevated version of reality. Emerson’s poem sees the snowstorm as a positive force, something that reshapes thelandscape into a thing of beauty and mystery. There is a sense of admiration for the storm’s power, and this leadsto a mood of wonder and reverence.In contrast, Dickinson’s"It Sifts from Leaden Sieves"adopts a more intimate, observational tone. Her snowstormis soft and quiet, almost meditative, and the mood is calm and subdued. Dickinson doesn’t focus on the power orthe grandeur of the storm; rather, she emphasizes the gentle, insistent nature of the snow. The image of snow“sifting” from “leaden sieves” suggests a slow, steady, and controlled fall, where the storm is more about subtleaccumulation than dramatic transformation. There is a quiet reverence in Dickinson’s poem, but it contrasts withEmerson’s more profound awe. The snow in Dickinson’s poem is less a grand force than a natural process thatone can observe and feel, creating a quieter, more personal interaction with nature.Moreover, Emerson’s depiction of the snowstorm is somewhat detached, with the focus on how the snow shapesthe external world, whereas Dickinson’s focus is more on the personal experience of the storm, describing how itName:Date:Score

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