If you're talking about the poem by Edith M. Thomas then I believe that the central idea is about how people can base something off of their looks. I'm not completely sure, but it talks a lot about how they look dead, but then explain that they are not. To me that makes it sound a lot like the saying "don't judge a book by its cover".
It could also mean that things take time to grow into something beautiful, and before that happens, you have to go through something difficult, seeming as if it is the end of the world. But then you blossom and bloom and everybody will look in awe.
I'm not completely sure these are right, and I'm not sure we read the same poem, but you didn't state the author's name. This was just off the top of my head but I hope it helps you or gives you an idea :)
From the excerpt you posted it looks like the writer's primary purpose is to persuade the audience to share his point of view.
This can be seen in phrases like "it seems to me that the decision is easy", where he implies that he has enough knowledge to see something that the Township officials are not seeing.
a,b, and c hope this helps
The excerpt is an example of dramatic irony, as the audience knows something that Jim does not.
In Mark Brazaitis fiction story Black Heart, Emily made a relationship with Daniel and his dogs by making a concious effort of speaking in Spanish though it is difficult because they recently have moved in the vineyard in Argentina. She used a dictionary with her in order to communicate. She disobeyed her mother of going to the dogs even if she warned her how ferocious those dogs are. She also conquered her fear and devised ways to get near them especially Blackheart- the beastlike dog.
