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Easy Guide to MatS (1)
Original poem 'Mary and the Shepherd' in my page (Extra simple version of the guide and fun exercises included in the poem page's comment section!)
Rationale: Poems are short and concise, hence by using this medium and the familiar nursery rhyme 'Mary had a little lamb', I was able to focus the appraisal on the issues and social constructs in my statement. Do enjoy!
There's some common Christian metaphors used in the poem and this article. Don't worry about it. They don't affect the understanding much and are simple to understand in a few Google searches (Mary anointing Jesus, the Good Shepherd).
How to cheat: Read the questions before and after your current one. They're often expansions of the same grounds, so…
P.S. To grab the gist, you can skim through Q3, 6, 10 and focus on the rest.
1. Why was this labelled 'politics' and 'horror'? What does this imply?
2. Why did the author feel the need to create a parody? To what extent and how is the original theme 'kindness to animals' changed?
3. Why did the author quote from the Bible? What structural purpose does it serve? The Shepherd in the quote refers to Jesus; what context does it gives this poem? If removed, would anything be changed?
4. In the original poem, Mary owns the lamb, whilst subversion of roles occurred in this version. The sheep leads Mary around; the 'Shepherd' of Jesus is used by a sheep. Why? What is the implication?
5. In the second stanza, the term 'House of Lambs' is coined, what does it imply of the society if it is governed and populated by 'lambs'?
6. Refer to the previous question, the 'lambs' scorned Mary for violating rules; what does the rules means to 'lambs' in the roles of the institution and public? What can be infered and compared between the two roles' different interpretations?
7. Refer to the previous question, when Mary challenges the current laws, she is regarded as a fool; what does it shows about a society? Later, in the poem, we might regard her as a fool, yet what does it reflect about us?
Why might we consider such actions as irrational? What stereotypes does it show?
8. Between the third and the fourth stanzas, the 'Shepherd' turns Mary out, along with her waiting, worshipping, and saying, 'You're with me at all times'. What is the conflict between the 'Shepherd''s actions and Mary's thoughts? What does it reveal about Mary?
9. Mary is turned out because of violating the rules. Referring to the Bible's expel of Adam and Eve, and many resembling examples due to violation of rules, what can be inferred? Who set the rules? How does it apply to us Modern Readers?
10. In this case, the 'Shepherd' obeys the rules. Later in the poem, he is also referred to as the Savior and Lord, implying that as the authority, he has exceptional status. What might his powers include? Can you give any exceptions of authority obeying rules in the Bible or around you?
You're not required to answer the above questions, but do keep them in mind. They serve as reminders to help you digest as you navigate the poem and shed a new perspective on things. This critical thinking might or might not come in handy someday.
Yipee! You've finished part I. How are you feeling so far? Comment to let me know. I'd be happy to answer your questions.
Let me tell you a secret. (whisper: there's a prize at the end) Isn't it exciting? Looking forward to see you on Part 2.
See ya!
© Elvin
Rationale: Poems are short and concise, hence by using this medium and the familiar nursery rhyme 'Mary had a little lamb', I was able to focus the appraisal on the issues and social constructs in my statement. Do enjoy!
There's some common Christian metaphors used in the poem and this article. Don't worry about it. They don't affect the understanding much and are simple to understand in a few Google searches (Mary anointing Jesus, the Good Shepherd).
How to cheat: Read the questions before and after your current one. They're often expansions of the same grounds, so…
P.S. To grab the gist, you can skim through Q3, 6, 10 and focus on the rest.
1. Why was this labelled 'politics' and 'horror'? What does this imply?
2. Why did the author feel the need to create a parody? To what extent and how is the original theme 'kindness to animals' changed?
3. Why did the author quote from the Bible? What structural purpose does it serve? The Shepherd in the quote refers to Jesus; what context does it gives this poem? If removed, would anything be changed?
4. In the original poem, Mary owns the lamb, whilst subversion of roles occurred in this version. The sheep leads Mary around; the 'Shepherd' of Jesus is used by a sheep. Why? What is the implication?
5. In the second stanza, the term 'House of Lambs' is coined, what does it imply of the society if it is governed and populated by 'lambs'?
6. Refer to the previous question, the 'lambs' scorned Mary for violating rules; what does the rules means to 'lambs' in the roles of the institution and public? What can be infered and compared between the two roles' different interpretations?
7. Refer to the previous question, when Mary challenges the current laws, she is regarded as a fool; what does it shows about a society? Later, in the poem, we might regard her as a fool, yet what does it reflect about us?
Why might we consider such actions as irrational? What stereotypes does it show?
8. Between the third and the fourth stanzas, the 'Shepherd' turns Mary out, along with her waiting, worshipping, and saying, 'You're with me at all times'. What is the conflict between the 'Shepherd''s actions and Mary's thoughts? What does it reveal about Mary?
9. Mary is turned out because of violating the rules. Referring to the Bible's expel of Adam and Eve, and many resembling examples due to violation of rules, what can be inferred? Who set the rules? How does it apply to us Modern Readers?
10. In this case, the 'Shepherd' obeys the rules. Later in the poem, he is also referred to as the Savior and Lord, implying that as the authority, he has exceptional status. What might his powers include? Can you give any exceptions of authority obeying rules in the Bible or around you?
You're not required to answer the above questions, but do keep them in mind. They serve as reminders to help you digest as you navigate the poem and shed a new perspective on things. This critical thinking might or might not come in handy someday.
Yipee! You've finished part I. How are you feeling so far? Comment to let me know. I'd be happy to answer your questions.
Let me tell you a secret. (whisper: there's a prize at the end) Isn't it exciting? Looking forward to see you on Part 2.
See ya!
© Elvin
