1. What are your eyes drawn to when you first view the painting?
2. Study the painting again. Then, consider this quote from van Gogh to his brother theo: "Looking at the stars always makes me dream. Why, I ask myself, shouldn't the shining dots of the sky be as accessible as the black dots on the map of France?" In what ways does van Gogh make the stars accessible? In what ways do the stars contrast with the village?
2. Study the painting again. Then, consider this quote from van Gogh to his brother theo: "Looking at the stars always makes me dream. Why, I ask myself, shouldn't the shining dots of the sky be as accessible as the black dots on the map of France?" In what ways does van Gogh make the stars accessible? In what ways do the stars contrast with the village?
3. List phrases that describe the town.
4. Reread the poem. How does Sexton contrast the sky and the town? Support your answers with explicit textual evidence and cite the line where you pull the evidence from.
4. Reread the poem. How does Sexton contrast the sky and the town? Support your answers with explicit textual evidence and cite the line where you pull the evidence from.