H1

text type: poem

Assignments

Sketch the content of each of the five stanzas.

20%

Analyse the means and strategies Gorman employs to create empathy for the ocean as well as to spread a message of unity and hope.

40%

Choose one of the following tasks:

3.1

On their website, the organisation Lonely Whale asks for contributions below a video with Amanda Gorman reciting her Ode to our Ocean. The poem inspires you to write a blog entry entitled “Simple Acts to Save our Planet”, in which you show ways the individual can contribute to protecting the planet, discuss reasons why people are reluctant to do so and call for action.

Write the blog entry, using the poem as a starting point. Include your background knowledge.

3.2

Discuss the potential of movements like Fridays for Future to initiate a profound change in society.

40%

Ode to Our Ocean

by Amanda Gorman

Introductory note
Amanda Gorman, the first to be named National Youth Poet Laureate of the U.S., wrote the following poem for the World Ocean Day in 2020.

The sea sings out to its many saviors:

Teenagers with fists thrust into the air at climate strikes,

Scientists converging around their data,

A child who stoops to scoop up a piece of trash.

The sea sings out for its singular subjects:

Arching whales that wave from their waves,

Turtles that teeter down their shining shores,

Coral reefs shining brightly as cities.

The sea sings out its suffering,

Knowing too much of waste, screeching sounds

And pernicious poison, its depths bruised, by

Atrocities in the Atlantic,

Misery in the Mediterranean,

Its tides the preservers of time past.

The story of the ocean and the story of humanity

Are one and the same, a Great River that

Knows no borders and notes no lines,

Only ripples.

While we might call it the Seven Seas,

Today we sing out your true name:

The one ocean.

For no matter how we try to separate your waters,

You are the colossus that connects us.

Water makes up 70% of Earth,

70% of the human heart,

And 70% of the human being,

All of us, bodies of water,

For we, too are oceans,

Or at least beings bobbing in the same boat.

To stand up for our ocean

Is to stand up for our own ship

The sea is a restless, strong collective of many pieces.

So are we.

The ocean can recover.

And so will we.

Let us not divide the tides,

But discover all they have to teach us –

Green meadows of sea grass that survive pathogens,

Blue-bloodied marine snails that can fight off viruses.

There are more lessons to learn,

Still more work to be done.

So we lift our faces to the sun.

May the seas help us see healing and hope,

May we sing out the ocean’s survival and revival.

Being the people of this blue planet is our most

Profound privilege and power,

For if we be the ocean’s saviors,

Then it is surely ours.

(351 words)

"Ode To Our Ocean" by Amanda Gorman.

Weiter lernen mit SchulLV-PLUS!

monatlich kündbarSchulLV-PLUS-Vorteile im ÜberblickDu hast bereits einen Account?

Note:
Our solutions are listed in bullet points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text. It must be noted that our conclusions contain only some of the possible aspects. Students can also find a different approach to argumentation.

First stanza: The sea calls a diverse group of saviours for help.
Second stanza: The sea attempts to protect its beautiful and diverse marine life.
Third stanza: The sea’s suffering because of global challenges.
Fourth stanza: Potential and importance of the ocean for the survival of mankind.
Fifth stanza: Existential necessity for mankind to save the ocean and need to take joint responsibility.

Themes

The ocean is personified as a living being seeking help.
Alliteration and anaphora to present the ocean as a living entity calling for help, caring for others and suffering:
$\rightarrow$ “The sea sings out to its many saviors:” (l. 1)
$\rightarrow$ “The sea sings out for its singular subjects:” (l. 5)
$\rightarrow$ “The sea sings out its suffering” (l. 9)

Alliteration and vivid imagery, the poem showcases the ocean’s splendor:
$\rightarrow$ “Arching whales that wave from their waves, / Turtles that teeter down their shining shores” (l. 6-7).

The use of personification, enjambment, and alliteration, along with negatively charged verbs and nouns, highlights the relentless exploitation of the ocean and its enduring effects on its ecological balance:
$\rightarrow$ “Knowing too much of waste, screeching sounds / And pernicious poison, its depths bruised, by / Atrocities in the Atlantic, / Misery in the Mediterranean, / Its tides the preservers of time past” (l. 10-14).

Empathy for the Ocean

The poem highlights unity between humanity and the ocean through enjambment, metaphors, and personification, showing their shared fate and far-reaching impact: “The story of the ocean and the story of humanity / Are one and the same, a Great River that / Knows no borders and notes no lines, / Only ripples” (l. 15-18).

Inclusive pronouns, opposing verbs, and direct address emphasize the ocean’s unifying force, rejecting artificial divisions: “While we might call it the Seven Seas, / Today we sing out your true name: / The one ocean” (l. 19-21).

Repetition and metaphor further show our mutual dependence: “Water makes up 70% of Earth, / 70% of the human heart... / For we, too, are oceans” (l. 24-27). Finally, parallel structures and metaphors underscore the need for conservation, highlighting shared resilience: “To stand up for our ocean / Is to stand up for our own ship” (l. 30-31).

Messages
Unity

The poem conveys a message of hope by showcasing various individuals responding to the ocean’s call for help, emphasizing that positive change is possible and everyone can play a role:
$\rightarrow$ “Teenagers with fists thrust into the air at climate strikes, / Scientists converging around their data, / A child who stoops to scoop up a piece of trash” (l. 2-4).

Through inversion, it underscores the link between protecting the environment and humanity’s well-being, affirming the possibility of healing for both:
$\rightarrow$ “The ocean can recover. / And so will we” (l. 34-35).

Imperatives and examples of resilient marine life highlight the importance of respecting nature, learning from its adaptability, and taking responsibility:
$\rightarrow$ “Let us not divide the tides, / But discover all they have to teach us – / Green meadows of sea grass that survive pathogens, / Blue-bloodied marine snails that can fight off viruses” (l. 36-39).
$\rightarrow$ "So we lift our faces to the sun. / May the seas help us see healing and hope, / May we sing out the ocean’s survival and revival” (l. 42-44).

Finally, by repeating “saviors” (l. 1), the poem reinforces the responsibility humanity holds, the transformative power of joint efforts, and the need to build on ongoing environmental initiatives to secure a better future:
$\rightarrow$ “Being the people of this blue planet is our most / Profound privilege and power / For if we be the ocean’s saviors, / Then it is surely ours” (l. 45-48).

Hope

3.1

Simple Acts to Save our Planet

Title

Amanda Gorman’s Ode to Our Ocean highlights humanity’s connection to the planet and the urgency of protecting it.
The ocean, as both a source of life and a victim of neglect, symbolizes the need for environmental stewardship.
Gorman emphasizes the impact of human actions like pollution, overfishing, and climate change on marine ecosystems.
She broadens the scope to include deforestation, air pollution, and biodiversity loss as threats to Earth's balance.
Despite these challenges, Gorman calls for collective and individual efforts to reverse environmental damage and protect the planet for future generations.

Introduction

Conserve water
$\rightarrow$ Take shorter showers and fix leaking taps.
$\rightarrow$ Use water-efficient appliances and collect rainwater for gardening.

Reduce waste
$\rightarrow$ Avoid single-use plastics and opt for reusable items.
$\rightarrow$ Shop second-hand, repair broken items, and recycle or upcycle where possible.

Minimize pollutants
$\rightarrow$ Choose biodegradable cleaning products and cosmetics without microplastics.
$\rightarrow$ Dispose of chemicals and hazardous waste responsibly. Cut Vehicle Pollution
Cut vehicle pollution
$\rightarrow$ Walk, cycle, or use public transport.
$\rightarrow$ Carpool, avoid unnecessary air travel, and consider eco-friendly cruise options.

Eat sustainably
$\rightarrow$ Buy local and seasonal foods.
$\rightarrow$ Reduce meat and fish consumption or explore vegetarian and vegan options.
$\rightarrow$ Avoid wasting food through careful planning and storage.

Save energy
$\rightarrow$ Switch off lights and unplug devices when not in use.
$\rightarrow$ Invest in energy-efficient appliances and consider renewable energy options like solar panels.

How you can help

Lack of awareness
$\rightarrow$ Many people underestimate the severity of environmental problems or the potential impact of their choices.

Skepticism
$\rightarrow$ Doubts about the effectiveness of individual efforts or mistrust in governments and corporations hinder participation.

Economic concerns
$\rightarrow$ The upfront costs of sustainable living, such as buying energy-efficient appliances or organic food, may discourage people.

Inconvenience
$\rightarrow$ Eco-friendly alternatives can sometimes be perceived as expensive or disruptive to daily routines.

Barriers for environmental measures

The ocean can recover, but this demands collective effort and commitment.
Individuals can drive change through choices and by inspiring others.
Honor our responsibility to the "blue planet" with small actions, education, and advocacy for sustainability.
Saving the ocean and the planet is both a privilege and a shared responsibility.
Together, we can create a brighter future for the planet and future generations.

A call to action

3.2

Fridays for Future is a youth-led global movement advocating for climate action.
It is growing rapidly and has strongly influenced discussions about sustainability and environmental responsibility.
The movement plays an important role in mobilizing millions worldwide, particularly young people, to demand change from governments and industries.
It has become a symbol of hope and urgency in the fight against climate change.

Introduction

Raising Awareness
$\rightarrow$ Informing and educating the public about critical issues.
$\rightarrow$ Organizing protests and voicing opinions publicly.
$\rightarrow$ Utilizing social media platforms to spread messages widely.
$\rightarrow$ Initiating grassroots actions and leveraging art to inspire change.

Political Pressure
$\rightarrow$ Encouraging people to vote and engage politically.
$\rightarrow$ Launching and supporting petitions to influence laws and regulations nationally and globally.
$\rightarrow$ Pushing decision-makers to prioritize environmental concerns.
$\rightarrow$ Participating in or supporting political parties with aligned goals.

Pressure on Businesses
$\rightarrow$ Exposing unsustainable business practices.
$\rightarrow$ Organizing boycotts or promoting ethical alternatives (e.g., brand jamming, buycotting).
$\rightarrow$ Advocating for divestment from environmentally harmful industries.

Ways to drive societal change

Social Resistance
$\rightarrow$ Fear of change and its potential impact on wealth or comfort.
$\rightarrow$ Resistance due to societal norms and ingrained habits (e.g., reluctance to move away from consumerism or adopt sustainable lifestyles).
$\rightarrow$ Difficulty in achieving societal consensus on solutions.

Information Challenges
$\rightarrow$ Difficulty in maintaining public focus on issues due to oversaturation of information.
$\rightarrow$ Misinformation and conflicting narratives undermining credibility.

Economic Barriers
$\rightarrow$ Profitability and economic growth often take precedence over sustainability.
$\rightarrow$ Resistance to environmentally friendly policies due to potential financial losses.

Obstacles of major change

Fridays for Future shows how collective action can shift societal norms and influence policies.
Despite challenges like resistance and misinformation, unity and persistence drive change.
The movement uses awareness, advocacy, and pressure to tackle global environmental issues.

Conclusion

Weiter lernen mit SchulLV-PLUS!

monatlich kündbarSchulLV-PLUS-Vorteile im ÜberblickDu hast bereits einen Account?