Exploring the Text

1. Hans Ostrom’s poem depends on the reader understanding references to both Emily Dickinson’s and Elvis Presley’s works. What resonances does he expect his readers to have with the following allusions related to Elvis and his era: “lean again” (l. 6), “Tupelo High” (l. 7), “naugahyde” (l. 10), “Little Richard and Richard / Nixon” (ll. 11–12), “Love Me Tender” (l. 15), and “Las Vegas” (l. 19)?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - Hans Ostrom’s poem depends on the reader understanding references to both Emily Dickinson’s and Elvis Presley’s works. What resonances does he expect his readers to have with the following allusions related to Elvis and his era: “lean again” (l. 6), “Tupelo High” (l. 7), “naugahyde” (l. 10), “Little Richard and Richard / Nixon” (ll. 11–12), “Love Me Tender” (l. 15), and “Las Vegas” (l. 19)?
2. What is the intention and effect of the period after “friends” in line 9?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - What is the intention and effect of the period after “friends” in line 9?
3. In nearly every stanza, Ostrom uses enjambment—a stylistic device in which one line ends without a pause and continues to the next line to complete its meaning. What is the effect of this device in Ostrom’s poem?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - In nearly every stanza, Ostrom uses enjambment—a stylistic device in which one line ends without a pause and continues to the next line to complete its meaning. What is the effect of this device in Ostrom’s poem?
4. What does Ostrom’s pairing of Presley and Dickinson suggest about the poet’s idea of heaven?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - What does Ostrom’s pairing of Presley and Dickinson suggest about the poet’s idea of heaven?