Archives for May 20, 2016

HW due 5/24: Essence Poem

May 20, 2016 By

Hello folks! Tomorrow we have a group presentation–Beat Poetry

Repost: Guidelines for the oral and written (<- click the links) presentations.

1. Essence Poems–Due Tuesday, May 24th! You pulled a name…now capture a bit of that person in verse! All aspects of poem should be shaped by your subject… Your subject (and what you know about your subject) should determine whether you will have rhyme, whether you will have a set rhythm, stanzaic shape, etc. Just to be clear: this does not mean that you should literally ask your subject these questions. 🙂

Please bring in TWO copies of the poem. One for your subject and one for me. On my copy, please put the following heading:

Your Name
5/24/16
#12: Essence Poem

2. Looking ahead to your Poetry PBA Portfolio, start thinking about your main opinion, or thesis, about your poet’s work. Some good questions to ask yourself as you read:

  • What themes do you notice in your poet’s work?
  • Where and how do these themes appear?
  • Which poems you’ve read most clearly show these themes?
  • What techniques (poetic devices, style, language, etc.) does this poet use most often, and how do they affect the poems?
  • What effect do they have?  In other words, how do they shape and change your reading of the poems?
  • What tone, or mood do you get from these poems? How do they make you feel?

Take some notes on your answers to these questions, and start coming up with an opinion about your poet’s work. Ultimately, your thesis will include a claim about your poet and his/her work. Again, this claim should be informed by research but more importantly, informed by what you see in the poetry.

Your PBA will include:

  • A 1-2 page mini-bio of your poet.
  • A 5-7 page foreword that introduces and analyzes the work of your poet. In this analysis you should demonstrate great control of your poet’s work. (First draft due June 7th!)
  • The 6 poems (untouched) chosen for this project.
  • Two original poems mirroring your poet’s style.

Entire PBA due June 10th!

HW due 5/23: Nausea

May 20, 2016 By

1. Nausea–Read and annotate through p. 160.

2. Nausea–complete the novel for Tuesday! Don’t fret! In the new week be prepared to discuss:

  • The epiphany by the chestnut tree (including veneers, being in the way, CONTINGENCY, roots) pp. 126-133
  • Anny (including change and outliving oneself) pp. 137-144
  • Tuesday in Bouville (including being free, outliving myself) pp.156-160
  • The end (Some of These Days) pp. 173-178

So, these are the primary discussion points for the last few days of discussion. But there are so many nuanced bits of philosophical importance scattered throughout. I expect to see that control in your essay. I will post more on the essay later this evening or tomorrow.

HW due 5/23: Godot and PBA

May 20, 2016 By

1. Waiting for Godot–Read and annotate through p. 47. This reading is Lucky’s monologue (equally famous and frustrating). Beckett has stated that the threads and themes of the play are being gathered together in the monologue. Don’t write about it…just think about it…–Analyze Lucky’s monologue in search of meaning…yes, you must weed through the nonsense to pick out the substantial… Although, I would argue that even that which is nonsensical is substantial. There is method to the madness that seemingly is his speech. So, really, what is it that he is saying? Think, human condition. Also, consider how the subject of his speech parallels the plight of Vladimir and Estragon. 

Some tips:

  • Define apathia, athambia, and aphasia
  • There are three sections of the monologue. See if you can discern where one ends and another begins. See if you can come up with thematic labels for each part.

2. PBA–Read the thesis statement handout!