Poetry (Sky)

Sky The child looks upwards At the blue sky above. He lifts his tiny hand And longs to touch the sky, Unable to perceive That the sky is an illusion: The child thinks that he cannot reach it, When he holds it in his hand. Manuel Bandeira Create at least a one-page, two-part answer to one of the following questions below. Double-space your work, please. 1. What does the word “illusion” mean? Which illusion did you have as a child, and how did your belief in that illusion change? How has your life changed as a result of your losing that illusion? Many people have stated over the years that simply believing in a thing or concept gives it a kind of reality that cannot be shattered. This might be the case with abstract ideas such as peace or freedom, for instance. Name one abstraction you believe in, and show how it differs from "illusion." OR 2. Often we have certain things or qualities in life without even realizing that this is the case. The child in the poem strives to touch the sky without seeing that he has it already in his hand. Show how the poem may be suggesting that many of us may already have what we have always desired without realizing it. (Suggested length: 1.5 pages, double-spaced)      

Sample Solution