Poetry Out Loud resource

By Wednesday, November 20, I want you to have selected a poem by an American writer from the Poetry Out Loud site. You'll be memorizing and reciting the poem in class. The link I'm providing takes you to the page you can search (by using the term "American") for such poets. Let me know if you have problems or questions.

https://www.poetryoutloud.org/search/?type=poet

We'll continue to move through Kindred as you also work to choose and memorize a poem. Always check the calendar for updates. Pay attention to what's covered each day and recognize that you should continue to look for the motifs and themes raised in class. 

Questions on Coates (in case you lost them)

As you read Coates, look up historical references or references to people with whom you are unfamiliar. The assignment may be shared with me on Google Docs or printed, if Google Docs is not an accessible app for you.

1. Coates’s first audience for his book is his son. In what ways do you see that shape the choice of subjects he addresses or how he approaches those subjects?

2. What lessons is he trying to convey to his son or hoping his son learns in being raised by Coates and his wife?

3. Much of Coetes's advice is surrounded by historical context—both about “the South” and more recent history. Why do you think he relies so much on history? What is he saying about our relationship to past events?

4. Though Coates directs this book to his son, in what ways are you, too, part of the audience? That is, what is relevant to you in what he’s saying?

I have not abandoned you

"Young Goodman Brown" may be challenging for some of you to read; the sentences are more complex and the vocabulary is, let's say, elevated. (I'll explain why when I see you again.) There's now a link here at the blog to a vocabulary list you may find helpful. You can search it when you encounter an unfamiliar word; you might peruse it ahead of time, too. Expect a quiz (largely about factual elements) along with the discussion.

Writing for Friday; comparison

In a short essay, compare the effect of the frame story around “Rip Van Winkle” with the frame around “Cannibalism in the Cars.” You may have started working on this in class; it is due on Friday. The essay is to be typed, double-spaced, in a 12 pt. serif font.

First up: Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens

For Wednesday, you're reading Clemens's/Twain's "Cannibalism in the Cars." In case you get really confused by some of the structure, it helps to understand that, at certain points, the story is meant to resemble the minutes of a meeting or a Congressional hearing.

As with the story by Washington Irving, we again have a "frame" around the main story and some questions about the likelihood of the tale. These are not uncommon features in American literature from the middle of the 19th century. In class, you'll discuss those aspects and others, and you'll be given your next assignments. To preview: You'll have another short story to read for Friday (but you'll have time in class on Wednesday to start reading) and another rather short one to read over the next weekend. I'll be back before you know it! Sorry I can't be there!

Writing: American ideas

Again, I'm sorry this post wasn't ready at the time of class. Here's the assignment, which is due on Sept. 10.

Take two passages from your summer book that you feel comment in some way on American traditions, ideals, values, qualities or virtues. The book may not say that this quality is "American," but to you, there's a connection. Maybe the passage or speaker presents a positive view. Maybe it’s critical. Maybe it’s ambivalent. Look at passages you thought were important when you first read the novel, a passage that conveyed a major idea. Print each passage and page number followed by your explanation (in a paragraph) of the ways in which you believe it comments on something you think of as American. 

Paper should be double-spaced, 12 pt., in Times Roman or a similar font. Spell check. Reread carefully. Complete sentences only.

If you have a question, email me!

Thanks for an interesting class today.

Welcome

Welcome to American Literature. Always check the calendar link for homework, as not all homework will be listed in a blog post.

Summer Reading 2019

This summer, please read one of the following books:

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Philip K. Dick

True Grit
Charles Portis

The Color Purple 
Alice Walker

In your chosen book, look for passages you think are especially important for conveying the book's major ideas. Underline, highlight, or in some other way take note of those passages. There is no writing assignment for the summer, but when you return in the fall, there will be, after some discussion, a writing assignment regarding your summer reading, so note-taking or annotation of some kind is essential.

Each of these books is pretty strange; expect the unexpected, and enjoy the ride.

See you in the September!