Q) With close attention to the poet's use of language comments are how one or more of the poems

you studied was critical or complementary of the aspect of respect among human nature or society

F.L. Lucas uses the techniques of imperative, irony and allusion to effectively criticize mankind’s Commented [S1]: in his poem ‘Beleaguered Cities’ should
arrogant belief in the battle against nature in his poem “Beleaguered Cities”. In contrast, through be added here.
the effective uses of personification and metaphor, Glover cleverly criticizes people by praising the
Commented [S2]: Critique
unsung heroes, “The Road Builders”, in different ways and point of views.
Commented [S3]: This should be at the front of the

In “Beleaguered City,” imperative and irony are used to show that mankind is arrogant and sentence.

conceited as they always attempt to conquer nature. Lucas writes “Build your house, build ...your Commented [S4]: Already used this word before. Don’t
towns and, Pave your meadow... pave the downs...” conveying his ideas that people should fear repeat yourself in the same paragraph.
and respect nature because nature is much powerful than our expectations. The use of imperative
Commented [S5]: the idea not ideas
shows that humans are very small and their abilities are very limited. It makes the readers feel that
the poem sounds sarcastic to human as reading “Build build” and “pave… pave,” because it sounds
very irony and is evidently criticizes arrogant human. “Houses” and “towns” show that mankind Commented [S6]: Lots of grammar issues??
has to rebuild infrastructures every time after they challenge and irritate nature. This further I.e. It gives the readers a sense of sarcasm towards humans
suggests to the readers that nature is powerful beyond our expectations and we should be humble ‘Build, build’, ‘..pave..pave’ because it is ironic and mocks the
and respect it. Because no matter how great mankind is or how many times they have overcome arrogance of humans.
nature, they are temporary all the time and they will be conquered by nature at last. In contrast,
Commented [S7]: Repetitive statement. Either have
Glover uses “an unremembered legion of laborers did…” to show that people do not commemorate
temporary or all the the time. Not both
or celebrate the road builders, although they have “scared the stubborn clay and fought the
tangled bush” for making our lives easier. This metaphor creates a critical sense as it makes the Commented [S8]: This metaphor is critical. You cannot
readers feel guilty and shamed. “Unremembered,” “obdurate strength of the land” and “pitiless create a ‘critical sense’. Does not make sense.
hills” effectively emphasize that people’s attitudes to the unsung heroes the road builders. This is
effective because it does not only criticizes us of these proud people, but also reminds us to be Commented [S9]: Critiques proud people. Check your
respectful to the road builders. grammar

Additionally, the uses of irony show a criticism of mankind’s arrogant belief that he will beat nature Commented [S10]: Don’t need this.
in the same quotes. According to “Plant your bricks and mortar”, the reader can feel the ironic tone
Commented [S11]: use
that works effectively and makes us understand that mankind is pointless to do anything against
nature because nature will retain what we have taken. As a reader, I feel guilty through reading Commented [S12]: is critical towards or critiques

Lucas’s words. Because his use of an allusion “build build your Babels black against the sky” vividly
demonstrate to us human’s ignorance and conceit, satirizing those arrogant people who even
attempt to antagonize against nature. According to the Holy Bible, people wanted to build a tower
that could help them to reach heaven so that they could make a name for themselves. However,
God finally confused their languages and scattered them. Here, by the use of the story of building
“bebels”, Lucas criticizes and ridicules us of these ignorant and haughty people and conveys his
theme of emphasizing that nature is powerful. In contrast, in “The Road Builders,” Glover uses
personification to express his idea of the criticism to mankind. “The payroll their labour stands
unadorned…” conveys a truth that no one really cares about the road builders. No people would
be willing to add extra wages to the road builder because they are always seen as people who are
doing a dirty and ordinary job. Glover uses “stands” in order to try to remind us to respect and
concern them. And he tries to tell us to remember to be thankful and respect to these unsung
heroes, because we are standing and walking on what they constructed. Furthermore for this,
there is another similarity to “Beleaguered Cities.” Lucas also uses personification to criticizes and
mock mankind. “Waving green…storm your streets at last” strictures that human’s arrogant nature
as only small grasses can eventually destroy us, criticizing mankind’s arrogant belief of overcoming Commented [S13]: grass
nature.

Overall, Glover and Lucas express their ideas and themes effectively in different ways. Through the
ingenious uses of various types of poetic techniques, both poets do not only show the critical
aspect of among human nature, but also warn us to respect nature and other people and be Commented [S14]: respect? Missing a word?
humble all the time.