F Bell Modern/Post Modern Poetry

Read either 'It is the living who cannot' or 'rise up, rise up' by Hilda Morley and analyze how the poem fits into the postmodernist era.

the poems and information about the author:

'it is the living who cannot'
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=182043

'rise up, rise up'
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=182043

G Bell- Postmodern Poetry (Due February 3 by midnight)

One of the many beauties of poetry is its ability take everyday experiences and views and condense them into a vivaciously condensed medium. This distillation process manifests Da Vinci's belief that, "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" because it allows the audience to empathize with the author while filling the simpler picture with his/her own experiences and feelings. As a result of the reader's sometimes softening interpretation, the poet can criticize or target a certain person, idea, or event from the shelter of paper. Write a poem of any structural style in which you analyze or criticize an event in todays world, a person from your past or present, societal idea, etc. Following your poem describe which poetic devices you utilized.

Poetry Styles: 

http://members.cox.net/berniehpoetry/styles.html

Poetic Terms: 

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072405228/student_view0/poetic_glossary.html

By Alexander, Anna Cait, and Bracey

E Bell- Modern/Postmodern Poetry; Due Tues. Feb. 1

The Modernist era for poetry took place around the early twentieth century. The focus of modernist poetry usually dealt with the themes of experimentation, imaginism, intellectualism, etc. T.S. Elliot and Ezra Pound are examples of some Modernist poets. Postmodernist poetry, on the other hand, deals more with the poets’ subconsciousness and therefore is usually more fragmented than Modernist poetry and began around the sixties. Choose either a Modern or Postmodern poem and explain, with textual evidence, how that poem fits into that time period of poetry.

The following sites will be helpful in analyzing the themes of the time periods.

Modernism- http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art30081.asp Postmodernism- http://www.textetc.com/modernist/postmodernism.html

Posted by Shane W., Natalie U., and Kelly M.

E Bell - A Prayer for Owen Meany

In John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany, Owen and John undoubtedly serve as foils to each other. However, It is difficult to determine who is more of a "big brother" to the other. Using textual evidence from the book, discuss whether or not John needs Owen more in the story or vice versa; or are they equal foils to each other? Try to feed off of other students comments, make this sort of like our in-class debate by anticipating and refuting opposing arguments.

-Grant D, Patricia F, & Rachel C

G Bell - Owen Meany - Due Jan. 26th

As the story draws to a conclusion, Owen Meany makes the ultimate sacrifice in killing himself to defend a group of orphans and nuns. He is able to protect them by performing The Shot, a move him and John had been practicing for years where John hoisted him on his shoulders to dunk a basketball. This is significant because, once again, Owen's small stature and awkward presence benefitted him. With that being said, do you believe Owen proved himself as "God's instrument"? Do you believe he fulfilled his purpose in life? Why or why not?

-McLeod, Kelsie, Tyler

F Bell- Owen Meany- Due Jan. 25th

Owen possesses a strong religious faith. He believes his dreams are profecies of what is to come and what the purpose of his life is. Why does Owen think of himself as God's instrument? How does this affect John?

-Virginia, Lindsay, and Margaret

G Bell - Owen Meany - Due Jan. 19th

Owen Meany is the quintessential example of big things come in small packages. Despite his diminuitive, almost helpless demeanor, Owen does not let this faze him from voicing his ideas on topics, religion being the most important to him. In your answer, analyze how Owen conveys his opinions and perspective on religion to the world. Do you believe people take him seriously? Why or why not?

-McLeod, Kelsie, Tyler

F Bell- Owen Meany- Due Jan. 18

John Irving's novel A Prayer For Owen Meany tells the story of John and Owen, best friends who grow up together in Gravesend, New Hampshire. Owen is not your average boy; he is very small and pale with wide bulging eyes, but despite his size and appearance, he has a strong personality and is often bossy and assertive. Why did John Irving make Owen so peculiar? What is the significance of Owen's size, voice, etc.? Be sure to include textual evidence!

-Lindsay, Virginia, and Emily

E Bell Owen Meany

Religious faith is a major theme in John Irving's, A Prayer For Owen Meany. Owen Meany is an unlikely Christ figure, he is a dwarf with a small high-pitched voice. However, his best friend, John says that "he is the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany" (1). Using textual evidence, show how Owen Meany is or is not a Christ figure.

F Bell Romantic Poetry- Due January 11

It is hard to give a specific definition to Romanticism because it was such a broad time period with many different characteristics. According to A Handbook to Literature by Hugh Holman and William Harmon it is perhaps more helpful to understand the characteristics of Romanticism rather than to know an exact definition. Find and discuss, using textual evidence, at least two characteristics of Romanticism in the following Romantic poem or one of your chosing. We thought "Ode to the West Wind" would be a good place to start the conversation, but feel free to explore other poems if this one becomes overused, especially later in the week. We have included a website that will help with finding characteristics of Romanticism.



Ode To The West Wind:

http://www.bartleby.com/101/610.html

Romanticism:
http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/eng372/intro-h4.htm





-Brooks, Alex, and Jessie

Romantic Poetry -G Bell Due January 11th

The Romantic Era brought about a change in writing, poetry included. Expand your knowledge of this time period, for poetry, by learning more about an author and reading their poems. Introduce your author and then provide a poem by your author, or the title of the poem and a brief summary. Annotate this poem, but keep in mind the time period it was written in. Below are the links to three helpful websites.

Romanticism

The Romantic Era

Romantic Era Poets and Their Poems

Posted by Lauren Plaine, Kelsey Smith, and Cassie Meakin

January 4, 2011 9:20 P.M.

E Bell due Tuesday January 11

The Romantic era was a time during the late 18th century and early 19th century and was a time of great change and emancipation. The era allowed artistic creativity and freedom. Romanticism included gothic romance, medievalism, exoticism, individualism, and many more. Many poets during this time used romanticism style writing. Pick a romantic poet during this time period and discuss how the poets writing style is appropriate for the Romantic time period. Support your answer with examples of their writing style.

Use this website for extra information on Romanticism.
http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/hum_303/romanticism.html