Read and annotate the following two poems:
Siren Song by Margaret Atwood
Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye
HW due 4/13: Poetry
April 12, 2016 By
HW due 4/5: Dickinson and More
April 1, 2016 By
1. 20-30 minutes of free write poetry in your journal!
2. Read and annotate the following Emily Dickinson poems:
I Felt a Funeral, in my Brain
My Life had Stood–A Loaded Gun
Success is Counted Sweetest
3. Poetry Presentations–Remember, all groups should meet with me at least once the week before they present. Next Thursday, we have a presentation on Imagism. Please print out and read the the guidelines for the oral and written (<- click the links) presentations.
4. Poet Study–Your PBA for this class will be a poet study. Here you will find a list of poets to choose from. This will be first come first serve. So, as soon as you know which poet you would like to study, let me know. Details of the PBA to come soon.
HW due 3/30: Duino Elegies
March 29, 2016 By
1. Duino Elegies–Read and annotate the second elegy.
2. (Due Thursday, March 31) Transcendental Poem–As for all poetry, be aware of how you are using words to create image/meaning. Thematically, you should weave characteristics of Transcendental poetry into your poem. One final (and very important) requirement: In the spirit of The Rhodora your poem should be inspired by and focused on a specific aspect of the natural world.
Characteristics of Transcendentalism
1. Believed in living closer to nature (Thoreau)
2. Believed in the dignity of manual labor (Thoreau)
3. Saw the need for intellectual companions and interests
4. Emphasized the need for spiritual living
5. Considered man’s relationship to God a personal matter established directly by the individual himself
6. Posited the essential divinity of man (versus Calvinism’s tenet of innate depravity)
7. Urged one great brotherhood (the Oversoul, the unity of all things)
8. Proposed self-trust and self-reliance
9. Believed in democracy and individualism
10. Encouraged reform (to awaken and regenerate the spirit)
11. Insisted on a complete break with tradition and custom
12. Know through intuition
HW due 3/29: Transcendentalism and Rilke
March 24, 2016 By
1. (Due Tuesday, March 29) Transcendental Group HW–Create something (art, poetry, music, etc.) inspired by the themes and major insights from the Transcendental poetry you read in class Wednesday. Include a brief artist’s statement to verbalize the intended meaning behind your work; this does not have to be longer than half a page. For example: If you choose to create a piece of artwork, explain the meaning behind color choices, subject matter, etc. Everything you create should be intentional and symbolic of the themes of Transcendental thought.
2. (Due Tuesday, March 29) Please bring Letters to a Young Poet to class this week. And print, read, and annotate the following poems by Rilke:
Love Song
Duino Elegies (print the first three elegies but read only The First Elegy for Monday)
3. (Due Thursday, March 31) Transcendental Poem–As for all poetry, be aware of how you are using words to create image/meaning. Thematically, you should weave characteristics of Transcendental poetry into your poem. One final (and very important) requirement: In the spirit of The Rhodora your poem should be inspired by and focused on a specific aspect of the natural world.
Characteristics of Transcendentalism
1. Believed in living closer to nature (Thoreau)
2. Believed in the dignity of manual labor (Thoreau)
3. Saw the need for intellectual companions and interests
4. Emphasized the need for spiritual living
5. Considered man’s relationship to God a personal matter established directly by the individual himself
6. Posited the essential divinity of man (versus Calvinism’s tenet of innate depravity)
7. Urged one great brotherhood (the Oversoul, the unity of all things)
8. Proposed self-trust and self-reliance
9. Believed in democracy and individualism
10. Encouraged reform (to awaken and regenerate the spirit)
11. Insisted on a complete break with tradition and custom
12. Know through intuition
HW due 3/17: Poetry
March 16, 2016 By
1. Today/Tonight, set aside 20 minutes (at least) and write poetry. You don’t have to write one poem; rather, you can write individual/unrelated lines of verse. Just write… Preferably, outside…
2. Be sure to bring Letters to a Young Poet
