No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as
if a promontory were, as well as any manner of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in
mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
it tolls for thee.
"Join me Luke...wheeze... No man is an island!"
I am a Rock, by Paul Simon
A Winter’s day
In a deep and dark December;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I’ve built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
Its laughter and its loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
Don’t talk of love,
But I’ve heard the words before;
It’s sleeping in my memory.
I won’t disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
And a rock feels no pain;
And an island never cries.
Task 1
Examine the texts "I am a Rock" and "No Man is an Island". Do you think John Donne would agree with the ideas and sentiments presented by Paul Simon? Using specific reference to the texts, defend your opinion. (1-2 paragraph(s))
Task 2
How might the theme(s) from the texts relate to the novel? Choose either Donne or Simon's text, and find a line or quotation in the novel that you feel develops a similar theme. Justify your choice.
Task 3
Post your compositions for Tasks 1 and 2.
