What is the significance of the themes and metaphors in The Flea and how to they contribute to the overall argument of the poem?

This is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a new critic! Using the concepts we learned in class, the TiP chapter on Formalism, and this website offered by Blank and Kay (esp. chaps 2, 3, and 4), compose a  350-500 word analysis of John Donne’s “The Flea.” Your analysis should seek to offer a close-reading interpretation of the poem in regards to its metaphors, themes, and unity (think about how the poem functions as a whole and what it is trying to convey). Your paper should make a clear argument and employ at least one or two of the specific terms introduced in Blank+Kay. Keep in mind that the practice of New Criticism does not involve your feelings, personal opinions, or expressions– it is about trying to discover the text’s meaning by decoding its internal logic. Similarly, this paper is not about explaining or paraphrasing the poem, but rather making an argument that analyzes its use of poetic devices to covey its message.

Your paper should try, as much as you can in two pages, to engage with these issues using textual evidence (quotes with line number references) and critical analysis. Showcase your ability to formulate a complex thesis and discuss it with at least one thoughtfully analyzed example.

Short papers should be formatted according to MLA format and are due to Blackboard by midnight on Sunday (February 19). Please be sure to proofread your work carefully and check its formatting before submitting.

Your response should be original and carefully crafted–you should not consult any external sources for this assignment. Any paper found with materials consulted or paraphrased will be returned ungraded.