Friendship
by Emma Guest
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A friend is like a flower,
a rose to be exact,
Or maybe like a brand new gate
that never comes unlatched.
A friend is like an owl,
both beautiful and wise.
Or perhaps a friend is like a ghost,
whose spirit never dies.
A friend is like a heart that goes
strong until the end.
Where would we be in this world
if we didn't have a friend.
Summary:
The poem compares a friend to various things in nature and life, emphasizing the qualities that make friendship valuable. A friend is likened to a flower for their beauty, a gate for their steadfastness, an owl for wisdom, and a ghost for their enduring spirit. The friend is also compared to a heart, symbolizing strength and loyalty until the end. The poem concludes by reflecting on the essential role friends play in life, suggesting that life would be much harder without them.
Answer to the following questions.
1. Question: How does the poet describe a friend in the poem?
Answer: The poet describes a friend using various similes. A friend is compared to a flower, specifically a rose, which is beautiful and delicate. The friend is also likened to a gate that never comes unlatched, symbolizing loyalty and dependability. Additionally, the friend is compared to an owl, representing wisdom, and to a ghost, symbolizing a lasting spirit. Lastly, the friend is compared to a heart that remains strong until the end, signifying enduring love and support.
2. Question: What does the comparison of a friend to a "rose" signify in the poem?
Answer: The comparison of a friend to a rose signifies beauty, delicacy, and perhaps the idea that friendship, like a rose, should be cherished and nurtured. Roses are also symbols of love and care, highlighting the special and valued nature of friendship.
3. Question: What is meant by the line "a gate that never comes unlatched"?
Answer: The metaphor of "a gate that never comes unlatched" suggests that a true friend is always reliable and dependable. Just as a securely latched gate stays closed and offers protection, a true friend remains steadfast, trustworthy, and always "there" when needed.
4. Question: How does the comparison to an "owl" reflect the qualities of a friend?
Answer: Comparing a friend to an owl reflects the qualities of wisdom and beauty. Owls are often associated with knowledge and insight, implying that a friend is not only a source of wisdom and guidance but also admired for their character.
5. Question: What does the poet imply by comparing a friend to "a ghost"?
Answer: By comparing a friend to a ghost, the poet implies that a friend's spirit never dies, meaning that true friendship transcends time and physical presence. Even if a friend is not always physically present, their impact and connection remain eternal, much like a ghost's enduring spirit.
6. Question: What does the comparison of a friend to a "heart that goes strong until the end" suggest?
Answer: The comparison to a heart that remains strong until the end suggests that true friendship is long-lasting and enduring. Just as a heart beats continuously and supports life, a friend offers continuous support, care, and love throughout one’s life.
7. Question: What is the central theme of the poem "Friendship"?
Answer: The central theme of the poem is the value and importance of friendship. The poet emphasizes how friends bring beauty, wisdom, loyalty, and lasting support to our lives. The poem reflects on how essential friends are to human existence and emotional well-being.
8. Question: How does the poet conclude the poem, and what does it suggest about friendship?
Answer: The poet concludes the poem by asking, "Where would we be in this world if we didn't have a friend?" This rhetorical question highlights the significance of friendship in our lives. It suggests that friends are essential for our happiness, emotional stability, and overall well-being. Without them, life would be less meaningful and fulfilling.
More Questions and answers:
Q1: What are some things a friend is compared to in the poem?
A: In the poem, a friend is compared to a flower, a gate, an owl, a ghost, and a heart. Each comparison shows a special quality of friendship, like beauty, wisdom, loyalty, and lasting support.
Q2: Why does the poet compare a friend to a rose?
A: The poet compares a friend to a rose because a rose is beautiful and valued, just like a true friend. The rose symbolizes the preciousness of friendship.
Q3: What does the "gate that never comes unlatched" symbolize in friendship?
A: The "gate that never comes unlatched" represents security and trust. Just like a gate that stays closed, a true friend is always there, loyal and dependable, providing a sense of safety.
Q4: How is a friend like an owl, according to the poem?
A: In the poem, a friend is like an owl because an owl is both beautiful and wise. This shows that friends offer wisdom and advice, while also being admired for who they are.
Q5: Why does the poet say a friend is like a ghost whose spirit never dies?
A: The poet suggests that a friend’s spirit never dies because true friendship lasts beyond time and distance. Even if friends are apart, their bond remains strong.
Q6: What does the poem suggest about the importance of friends in our lives?
A: The poem suggests that friends are essential in our lives. Without friends, the world would be lonely and less meaningful, as friends bring beauty, wisdom, support, and lasting companionship.
Q7: What does the poet mean by saying a friend is like "a heart that goes strong until the end"?
A: This line means that true friends stay by our side until the end, just like a heart that keeps beating. Friends provide strength and love through all stages of life.
Question: Read the poem again, and identify 3 metaphors and 2 similes used in the poem. Then explain the purpose of their uses.
Metaphors and Similes in the Poem:
Metaphors:
- "A friend is like a flower, a rose to be exact" – The friend is directly compared to a rose, representing beauty and value, showing that friends add beauty and warmth to life.
- "A friend is like a heart that goes strong until the end" – The friend is compared to a heart, symbolizing strength, loyalty, and constant support throughout life.
- "A friend is like a brand new gate that never comes unlatched" – Here, the gate represents stability and trust, suggesting that a friend is someone who is always there and dependable.
Similes:
- "A friend is like an owl, both beautiful and wise" – The friend is compared to an owl to highlight qualities of wisdom and beauty, suggesting that friends provide wise advice and are admired.
- "Or perhaps a friend is like a ghost, whose spirit never dies" – This simile compares a friend to a ghost, symbolizing the lasting, unbreakable bond of friendship that endures even when friends are apart.
Purpose of These Metaphors and Similes: The poet uses these metaphors and similes to express the qualities that make friendship special, such as loyalty, beauty, wisdom, and permanence. Each comparison deepens our understanding of friendship’s importance and shows how friends enrich our lives with their unwavering support, wisdom, and lasting presence.
