Spaceships in StudySync the following question in essay form.
The speaker does not explicitly identify when this memory takes place, but there are some telling details within the lines of the poem. Describe the time or place in which you believe this poem is set. Identify as many specific details and images from the poem as you can find that indicate or imply its setting.
In the poem "Spaceships" featured in StudySync, the speaker does not directly mention the time or place in which the memory takes place. However, upon examining the lines, one can uncover several details and images that provide clues about the setting.
Firstly, the poem begins by stating, "We drew spaceships on the coffee table." This line indicates that the speaker and their companions are indoors, likely within a living room or a comfortable space. The mention of a coffee table implies a domestic setting, suggesting that the memory is taking place inside a house.
Furthermore, the speaker reminisces about a time when they drew spaceships in a particular manner. They describe using "big notebook paper and markers," which suggests that this memory occurred during a time when notebooks and markers were widely accessible and commonly used. This detail hints at a timeframe around the late 20th century or early 21st century when these items gained popularity and availability.
Additionally, the speaker mentions the activity of watching science fiction shows and movies, stating, "while Buck Rogers sped through episodes in black and white, / and theaters showed cartoons and newsreels." Buck Rogers, a character from a popular science fiction series of the same name, was primarily prominent in the 1930s, implying that the poem's setting may have a nostalgic connection to that era. Furthermore, the reference to black and white episodes suggests that the memory occurs before the introduction of color television.
The poem further alludes to the presence of an older generation in the setting. The speaker mentions that they "spoke of the future" while discussing spaceships and exploration, indicating a sense of generational difference. Moreover, the mention of newsreels in theaters suggests an era when such news segments were a common form of entertainment, reinforcing the idea of an older setting.
Lastly, the poem concludes with the line, "We dreamed of leaving this earth behind." This statement conveys a longing for escape, implying that the setting is not ideal or desirable. It suggests that the memory may have taken place during a time of turmoil, such as a period of war or social unrest, prompting the desire to leave Earth as a form of escapism.
In conclusion, the poem "Spaceships" presented in StudySync alludes to a setting that is likely domestic, possibly within a house or a comfortable space like a living room. The presence of drawing spaceships on a coffee table, the use of markers and notebook paper, and the reference to watching science fiction shows and movies provide hints about the time frame, most likely around the late 20th century or early 21st century. Additionally, the mention of Buck Rogers and black and white episodes suggests a nostalgic connection to the 1930s. The presence of newsreels in theaters and a longing to leave the earth behind further reinforces the idea of an older setting, potentially during a tumultuous time in history.