This week let's read two poems by Langston Hughes. The first starts on page 364 and is called "Let America Be America Again," and the second starts on the bottom of 365 and is called "A New Song."
Use the questions in the green boxes at the end of each poem to spark your discussion.
Note how the questions after the first poem prompt discussion on HOW the poet constructs meaning. The first question after the second poem pushes for discussions of comparative meanings in both poems, and the second question asks for discussions of political aspects of the poem.
Discussing Poetry
Monday, April 9, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
By Saturday, April 7th at midnight
This time, let's discuss "Bilingual/Bilingue" by Rhina Espaillt on page 429 of your textbook. Consider meaning, and how you arrived at it. Speaker and tone are important in this one, I think. How is this poem about the speaker as well as the one addressed? What is the tone?
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
By Saturday, March 24th
I forgot to put a reminder in the Calendar, so you have an extra week to get this done. It was originally due by March 17th.
This time, let's discuss a poem by Octavio Paz on page 172 of your textbook. It's called "Motion" in it's English translation here. I am also giving you an on-line link to the original Spanish version. It would be great to hear what those of you who are fluent in both languages think about differences caused by translation, if any.
As you experience this poem, pay special attention to the three questions which follow it in the text (in the green box). I think those questions can spark some really interesting discussions this week! Enjoy!
This time, let's discuss a poem by Octavio Paz on page 172 of your textbook. It's called "Motion" in it's English translation here. I am also giving you an on-line link to the original Spanish version. It would be great to hear what those of you who are fluent in both languages think about differences caused by translation, if any.
As you experience this poem, pay special attention to the three questions which follow it in the text (in the green box). I think those questions can spark some really interesting discussions this week! Enjoy!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
By Saturday, March 3rd at midnight
This week, let's discuss "Golden Retrievals" by Mark Doty on page 123 of your text. Be sure to read this one out loud! Use the questions following the poem to prompt your discussion.
Monday, February 20, 2012
By Saturday, February 25th at midnight...
This week, read "Saturday at the Canal" by Gary Soto. I think "voice" is an important aspect of this poem. Who is speaking? What is the speaker saying, about life, about his life? What do the various images in the poem tell you about the speaker's attitude toward his life? Quote some examples and discuss what they show. What else do you have to say about this poem?
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
By Saturday, 2/18 at midnight:
Discuss
"Sadie and Maud" on page 230
Again, use the questions following it as a starting point.
And don't forget to read this one out loud and get into the rhythm of it.
Of what does this rhythm remind you?
Monday, February 6, 2012
DIscussion due February 11 at Midnight
This week let's discuss : What the Living Do" by Marie Howe on page 67 of our poetry text. Use the questions that follow it to give you ideas about what to discuss. In addition, think about these things. Howe says about this poem: "My brother had died. He was my dearest friend. He was 28 years old. He was 11 years younger than I was." With this in mind, what does this poem say to you about death, dealing with death, the speaker's reaction to her brother's death? How do the images, the word choices, convey these insights, the ideas you see within the poem? As you discuss the poem, don't forget to give "evidence" for what you say about the poem. To give "evidence" quote from the poem as you discuss it.
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