Name: TORIBIO, JAKE BRYAN G.

Year and Section: BSMAR – E 2A

THE RHODORA
Ralph Waldo Emerson

(1) In May, when sea winds pierced our solitude,

(2) I found the fresh Rhodora in the woods,
(3) Spreading its leafless blooms in a damp nook,
(4) To please the desert and the sluggish brook.
(5) The purple petals, fallen in the pool,
(6) Made the black water with their beauty gay;
(7) Here might the redbird come his plumes to cool,
(8) And court the flower that cheapens his array
(9) Rhodora! If the sages ask thee why
(10) This charm is wasted on the earth and sky
(11) Tell them, dear, that if eyes were made for seeing,
(12) Then beauty is its own excuse for being.
(13) Why thou wert there, O rival of the rose!
(14) I never thought to ask, I never knew.
(15) But in my simple ignorance I suppose
(16) The self-same Power that brought me here brought you.

A. Vocabulary: Check out the meaning of these words and use each word in a
sentence.
1. Solitude
Meaning: Solitude is the state of being alone or on your own. It also is a
place where you can be on your own.
Example:
We enjoyed the beauty and solitude of the hills more than ever
2. Nook
Meaning: A small corner, alcove, or recess, especially one in a large room.

Example: The black dress she wore fit her like a second skin, outlining every
curve, dip and nook of her body
3. Sluggish
Meaning: lacking energy, alertness, or vigor; indisposed to exertion; slothful
Example: Its lower course is sluggish, where its waters are made
unpalatable by a reddish slime
4. Plumes
 Meaning: A large feather, cluster of feathers, or similar ornament worn on a
helmet, hat, or horse's harness.
Example:
In front of the group, on a black horse with trappings that glittered in the sun,
rode a tall man with plumes in his hat and black hair curling down to his
shoulders.
5. Sage
Meaning: showing wisdom and good judgment
Example: Before leaving for college, I got some sage advice from my older
brother about living alone.
6. Pierced

Meaning: having a small hole made by piercing; specif., having such a hole in
its lobe: pierced ears

Example: She clutched her stomach as pain pierced her concentration.

B. Imagery and Poetic Devices

1. Identify the rhyme scheme of the poem.
 The rhyme scheme is AABBCDCDEEFFGHGH.
2. The Rhodora’s petals are purple. What does purple connote?
Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. It symbolizes
power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and
extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence,
creativity, mystery, and magi

3. What images can you see in the poem? What do you think does each mean or
symbolize?

The Rhodora" expresses a spiritual connection with a primitive, deified

nature and that man can share a kindred relationship with God through
Nature. The rhodora is presented as a flower as beautiful as the rose, but
which remains humble and does not seek broader fame.
C. Comprehension Questions

1. Where is the setting of the poem? Describe the setting.

The speaker finds the rhodora blooming in the woods in an area where no
one will see it. Located in a “damp nook,” it seems to bloom to please “the
desert and the sluggish brook.” “Desert” here may be describing brook,
meaning that it runs through an uninhabited region.

2. To what flower did the poet compare the Rhodora?

 the Rhodora compares to a rose which is traditionally thought of as the
most beautiful flower.
3. What contrast can you observe in the appearance of the Rhodora with that of
the setting?
The persona of the poem observes the beauty of the rhodora in
its contrast to the dark and muddy surroundings
4. What could be the reason why God put the Rhodora in that particular setting?
As well as how the flower exists for no other reason than to be beautiful. One
has eyes to gaze upon such things, but they do not grow for humankind.

5. Explain Lines 11 and 12 in the poem:

Tell them, dear, that if eyes were made for seeing,

Then beauty is its own excuse for being.

The beauty comes from itself. Just as eyes were “made for seeing” beauty is its “own excuse
for Being.” It exists to simply live and be seen by those who can appreciate it. 
The speaker is imbuing the flowers with a simple but meaningful power. They have one
reason to live, to give beauty to the world, and they do it very well. 

THE LAST LEAF

O. Henry

A. Vocabulary: Check out the meaning of these words.

1. District
(In a little district west of Washington Square the streets have run crazy and broken.)

District is defined as to divide locations up into designated groups or areas, usually

for political or administrative purposes.

2. Traversing
 (Suppose a collector with a bill for paints, paper and canvas should, in traversing this
route, suddenly meet himself.)

Traverse is defined as something that lies across or crosses over

3. Quaint
(To quaint old Greenwich Village the art people soon came prowling.)

The definition of quaint is something small, old fashioned or charming in a good way

4. Congenial
(They had met at the table and found their tastes in art, chicory salad and bishop
sleeves so congenial that the joint studio resulted.)

The definition of congenial is agreeable or compatible.

5. Solicitously
(Sue looked solicitously out the window.)

The definition of solicitous is someone who shows concern, care or eagerness.

6. Carriages
(My patient begins to count carriages at the funeral.)

The definition of carriage refers to the way you carry yourself or move, or vehicle
used for transportation

7. Strange
(The disease has left her mind full of strange ideas.)

The definition of strange is an unfamiliar or unusual person, place or thing.

B. Symbolism and Figures of Speech

1. Identify the figures of speech used in the story and the corresponding lines.
2. Explain the symbolism of the following:
1. The falling leaves
2. The last leaf
3. Mr. Berhman
4. Winter

C. Comprehension Questions
1. How would you describe the relationship between Johnsy and Sue? How is their
relationship important to the story?
Jonhsy and Sue we're good friends . Their relationship can be reflected by the
way Sue looked after Jonhsy when she was sick and sought to bring her back to
good health

2. Do you think Johnsy really believes that she will pass away with the last leaf?
Why or why not?
Yes, because she compares herself with the last leaf. This leaf comes to symbolize
her will to live
3. One of the central ideas of the story is hope. How do you relate it to your day-
today life?
I can relate by saying that many people live by only trusting the old principles. So,
we must keep the hope of living longer and doing good deeds.
4. You may also consider friendship as another theme of the story. How is this shown
in the story?
5. What is friendship?
Friendship is a privilege that many of us belittle. In life where some bonds fade
out with time while so some bonds grow stronger and stronger with passage of
time.
6. What characteristics of a friend do you like him or her to possess?
The characteristics I owe the most is that commitment, sacrifice, friendship,
compassion, hope and dedication. Even if we have face bad things, we should always
help our love ones .

7. What do you think is the conflict in the story? Explain.

When Johnsy says that as soon as the last leaf falls off of the vine, she will die. She
says "When the last one falls I must go, too."
8. O. Henry is famous for writing stories with a “twist,” or surprise at the end. What
was the twist in this story? Were you surprised? Explain.
Johnsy has been expecting to die when the last ivy leaf fall off the vine attached
to the brick wall of a neighboring building. It seems likely that she actually will die
when this happens because she believes in it so firmly. Johnsy is described as
small and frail. But somehow the brave leaf clings tenaciously to its place on the
denuded vine. If we believe that Johnsy can will herself to die when the leaf falls,
then we can believe that she will decide to recover, and will recover, when the
leaf doesn't fall. The actual "twist" in the story does not come when the leaf
doesn't fall, but when Sue reveals that it couldn't fall because it had been painted
on the wall in the middle of the night.

9. What is your overall opinion of the story?

The Last Leaf brings to light the importance of hope and optimism
in order to tackle the adversities we come across in life. Johnsy develops a
pessimistic attitude towards life after developing pneumonia. She believes she’d
die, but her friend and flatmate Sue tells her that she’s stupid to think she’d die.
Behrman, the old and unsuccessful artist who is protective of both the women,
also rebukes Johnsy’s claims. Behrman has tried all his life to paint a masterpiece
but has failed.