An ESL Lesson about "Fire" in music, in William Blake and in the first vision of Prophet Ezequiel.
PLEASED TO MEET YOU: I AM THE FIRE
Am I __________ enough?
Am I __________ enough?
To follow the desire That burns from within To push away my __________
To stand where I'm __________
I am through with this 'Cause I am more than this I promise to myself
Alone, and no one else
My flame is rising higher I am the fire I am burning brighter
Roaring like a storm And I am the one I've been waiting for
Screaming like a siren
Alive, and burning brighter
I am the fire
I've been __________ My heart's been cauterized
Hanging on to __________
Shackled by the __________
Of what I once believed
That I could never be
What's right in front of me
Repeat chorus
I don't believe I'll fall from __________
Won't let the past decide my __________
Leave __________ in my wake, oh Take the life that I've embraced I promise to myself
Me, and no one else
I am more than this
I am the fire
Repeat Chorus
FIRE IN "THE TYGER" 'S EYES
William Blake’s literary masterpiece, ‘The Tyger,’ has been scrutinized from literal and metaphorical points of view as he revisits his preferred dilemmas of innocence vs. experience. As for God, his creations are just beautiful and transcend the notions of good-evil. As with his earlier poems, ‘The Tyger’ gives no visible answers except to offer more questions.
“Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience” juxtapose opposing sides of human nature, comparing and contrasting innocence with corruption. ‘The Tyger’ is an extension of the same theme, representing two diverse perspectives of the human world. William Blake doesn’t take either side but paints an opposing worldview for his readers. “The Lamb” appeared in the Songs of Innocence collection. “The Tyger” appeared in the Songs Of Experience.
READ THE POEM “THE TYGER” AGAIN AND MATCH ITS STANZA TO ITS RIGHT ANALYSIS
POST-READING CONVERSATION QUESTIONS:
What are your initial impressions of the poems?
Which one do you prefer?
How are they similar?
How are they different?
THE TYGER
Stanza 1: In your own words, write the main question being asked in the first stanza
Stanza 2: What is the main comparison being made to the tiger here? Why?
Stanza 3: What is the effect of the rhetorical questioning?
Stanza 4: Explain the metaphor used in this stanza. What is being compared?
Stanza 5: What is the significance of the questions asked in this stanza?
Stanza 6: What is the reason for the change between this stanza and the first?
THE LAMB
Part 1: How does the tone of this poem compare to The Tyger?
Part 2: What do you think the lamb and the tyger symbolize?
THESE WHEELS ARE ON FIRE!
BRISTOL, 6th JUNE 2016 New Banksy mural appears at school in Bristol
Banksy has surprised pupils and teachers at a school in Bristol by painting a 6ft mural on a wall, after a classroom was named in the street artist’s honour. The mural, which shows a child chasing a burning wheel, was sprayed on a wall at Bridge Farm Primary School in the artist’s home city – and was discovered after pupils returned from half term today. The artist also accompanied the piece with a handwritten letter, in which he thanked the school for naming a classroom after him. Banksy wrote: “Dear Bridge Farm School. Thanks for your letter and naming a house after me. “Please have a picture. If you don’t like it feel free to add stuff. I’m sure the teachers won’t mind. Remember – it’s always easier to get forgiveness than permission. Much love Banksy.” It’s thought that the work is Banksy’s unique take on hoop rolling, a popular children’s game during the Victorian era. The piece also features a scrawling of a small house and a flower, alongside the artist’s signature.
THIS WHEEL’S ON FIRE (1968) by The Band
If your mem'ry serves you well We were goin' to meet again and wait
So I'm goin' to unpack all my things
And sit before it gets too late
No man alive will come to you With another tale to tell And you know that we shall meet again
If your mem'ry serves you well
Wheel's on fire Rolling down the road
Best notify my next of kin
This wheel shall explode
If your mem'ry serves you well
I was goin' to confiscate your lace
And wrap it up in a sailor's knot
And hide it in your case
If I knew for sure that it was yours But it was, oh, so hard to tell And you know that we shall meet again
If your mem'ry serves you well
This wheel's on fire
Rolling down the road
Best notify my next of kin
This wheel shall explode
If your mem'ry serves you well You'll remember you're the one
That called on them to call on me
To get you your favors done
And after ev'ry plan had failed And there was nothing more to tell
You knew that we should meet again
If your mem'ry served you well This wheel's on fire It's rolling down the road
Best notify my next of kin
That this wheel shall explode
“This Wheel’s On Fire” is a song by The Band, which was released in 1968 as part of their album “Music from Big Pink.” It was written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko and has since become one of the most iconic songs of the 60s. The lyrics of the song are mysterious and enigmatic, which has led to many interpretations over the years. Some people believe that the song is about the end of the world, while others interpret it as a commentary on the state of the world during the 60s. Find the lyrics about...
Whatch the video below (the speech above is at minute 3'28'')
Riccardo Zambon, 21st October 2023