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I. The Phoenix Again by May Sarton __ 1.  The Myth __ a. The phoenix is a mythical sacred firebird that originated in ancient Phoenician mythology, Egyptian religion and later Greek mythology. __ b. In ancient myth, the phoenix was a gold and red Arabian bird resembling an eagle. At the end of a long period- some accounts say five hundred years, others say fifteen hundred-the phoenix would be mysteriously consumed by fire. __   __ c.  A new phoenix would then reconstitute itself from the ashes of the old, and a new life cycle would begin. According to the myth, the process continued indefinitely. __   __ d.  Because of this constant renewal, many religions have considered the phoenix story optimistically, as a symbol of life overcoming death. __   __ e.  Later it related to Christianity because it was a symbol for life after death or a continuation of existence after turmoil and suffering. __   __ 2.  Sound, Structure and Sense__ __ a.  It is written in iambic pentameter  __ __ b. Has a marching rhythm to it __ __ c. Structure/ rhythm has a sing-song feel to it, makes it feel like reading a story when reading it __ __ d. Has a rhyme scheme of A-B-A-B-C-D-C-D-E-F-E-F-G-H-G-H-I-J-I-J-K-H-K-H __ __ e. Structure of a story allows the reader to understand the author’s point of describing the phoenix in detail and allows for the reader to see the myth of the phoenix and why it is symbolized as never being able to perish into death. __   __ f.   Also is quite understandable because of its marching/ sing-song meter to it __ __ g. Figurative language plays a role in the sound and sense of the poem __ __ i.    “Over the seas of grief”- metaphor/personification  __ __ ii. “To stars and waves and sky” – hyperbole __ __ h. The sense of the poem is of respect for the bird and of the events that transpire in its life. __   __  3.  The Meaning  __ __ a.  Stanza  one goes into detail about the death of the phoenix after its life. __    __b. __ __ Stanza two, the phoenix is being consumed by the fire leaving its ashes so it can come back to its nest and be re born. __    __c. __ __ Stanza three explains that the phoenix is immortal because it is reborn so it can essentially never die. __    __d. __ __ Stanza four, five, and six explains the rebirth and how the phoenix is a bird of one flock and is constantly alone during its life and in death. __   __ e.  __ __ The poem overall gives a feeling of solitude and immorality in the phoenix. __