- Answer the following on your own paper ... OR you can type your responses and share them with me ... whichever works best for you. Be sure to answer all parts of the prompt - but structure your writing as a single essay. 300-400 Words. You will work on this in class today and on Monday.
- Part ONE - Guilt and the Poem
- The Mariner’s senseless killing of the albatross (which symbolizes innocence as well as man’s connection to nature - an important theme of the Romantic Period) sets off all the negative events/consequences withn the story. Even though he eventually is forgiven by nature for his sins (when he blesses the sea serpents), he is nonetheless doomed to forever walk the earth sharing his tale (which is the frame for the entire story). Why is this fate - and the fact that he must forever carry the guilt for his actions - a fate worse than death for him?
- Part TWO - Guilt and Your Own Perspective
- Generally speaking, it is right that even though he is forgiven for what he has done, he must still face the consequences? Explain. Do you feel that an apology - if accepted - should be enough to make up for doing something wrong? Explain. Is it important that people feel guilty when they wrong or harm someone or something else? Explain. Would we be better off if guilt didn’t exist? Explain.
AGAIN ... answer both parts in a single essay response. But be sure to hit it from both the literary and personal angles.
