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AP Success - AP English Literature Poetry Analysis: John Crowe Ransom

Question 1

Essay

In John Crowe Ransom’s “Bells for John Whiteside’s Daughter,” published in 1924, the speaker eulogizes a young girl who died. Read the poem carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how Ransom uses literary elements and techniques to convey the emotions associated with the loss of a child. 

In your response you should do the following:


• Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible interpretation.
• Select and use evidence to support your line of reasoning.
• Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
• Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.

Source 1.1

There was such speed in her little body,

And such lightness in her footfall,

It is no wonder her brown study

Astonishes us all.

Her wars were bruited in our high window.

We looked among orchard trees and beyond

Where she took arms against her shadow,

Or harried unto the pond

The lazy geese, like a snow cloud

Dripping their snow on the green grass,

Tricking and stopping, sleepy and proud,

Who cried in goose, Alas,

For the tireless heart within the little

Lady with rod that made them rise

From their noon apple-dreams and scuttle

Goose-fashion under the skies!

But now go the bells, and we are ready,

In one house we are sternly stopped

To say we are vexed at her brown study,

Lying so primly propped.

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