New York University Instructions on Not Giving Up by Ada Limon Poetry Analysis

In “Instructions on Not Giving Up,” the speaker is expressing her ideas about the coming of spring. What does the speaker mean when she comments, “[…] it’s the greening of the trees/That really gets to me” (5-6)? In an essay of at least 700 words (longer is fine), discuss why the speaker is so moved by the spring trees’ green leaves. How does she compare the trees’ leaves to the trees’ flowers of spring? Which does she seem to prefer, and why? How can you tell? How does the poem’s title help to prove your argument? Support all points with quotations from the poem, which you must incorporate into your sentences, as we have practiced.

You must build your answer by including the following underlined vocabulary terms. Discuss two (2) examples of personification, one (1) simile, at least three (3) examples of alliteration, and at least two (2) examples of assonance. Comment on the diction of the following terms: “obscene” (3), “candy-colored” (4), “taffy” (7), “baubles and trinkets” (7), “confetti” (8). What connotations do these six (6) words have, and how do they help us to understand the poem’s arguments? Comment also on the motif of color used throughout the poem: how does the use of different colors contribute to the poem’s meaning? (When you include these vocabulary terms in your essay, make sure that your sentences show clear understanding of what they mean, how they are used in the poem, and how they help us to understand the poem.)