Isabel Jenkins Assignment 3

1. Lawrence creates a tone of wishful reminiscence in Piano. The speaker utilizes warm and homely diction choices contrasted with those of passion and emotion. While recalling the piano and the memories tied to it, he describes his mother singing "softly" as she "smiles," hymns in the "cosy parlor" with the piano "tinkling" in the background. These pleasant and innocent words are juxtaposed against the current sentiments of the narrator. His heart "weeps" at the thought of his time spent with his mother at that piano; he feels a "flood" of remembrance. These diction choices demonstrate his yearning for the naivety of his past.

2. I am drawn most to the quote by Conrad. Art is narrative, depicting stories that words sometimes cannot express. With this also comes a wide array of emotions. Personally, I often find it difficult to comprehend abstract concepts when people merely tell me about them. But art speaks to me emotionally, and furthers my understanding of myself and the world. It tells of other wondrous people, and places, and cultures. It also tells of uncertainty in our lives. It allows me to live vicariously through others. But, most importantly, it gifts empathy.