Week 28:

AP Literature Exam Thursday, May 10, 2007

GOING WITH THE FLOW

It has been said that you can never put your foot in the same river twice. Rivers are alive, flowing, and in constant motion. The river that was there a moment ago is long gone. The same is true for poetry, music, art, and even movies. We never really hear the same song twice or see the same piece of art twice. What we bring to a second or third or hundredth exposure to a song or a painting is always different than the time before. We bring memories, feelings, and sensations. And the effect is cumulative. Even when I run, I never really run the same route exactly the same. It is impossible for me to recreate the exact circumstances for each run. I can’t have the same weather or the same people around me. I bring to each run a new sensation and experience. My point here is that each of us brings our own experiences to poetry. However, it is essential to try to become the poet when you read his/her poem. Walk in the shoes of the writer. Determine who is speaking, what the poem is about, and how the poet created the meaning (literary devices). Trust the poet, then all will be well.

Stay focused this week in our quest to better understand poetry. It really is beautiful and powerful. Perhaps, then your preconceived myth of poetry could be altered in a more positive way.


On The Great Gatsby:

Just about every other sentence in the novel is a textual moment. A significant theme is American Idealism corrupted by materialism. When reading the book look for ways Fitzgerald describes social class divisions in the 1920s and how the setting emphasizes the differences between the classes.

When annotating consider imagery, diction, syntax-- language. This is how Fitzgerald gets his point across. Look up vocabulary words that are unfamiliar. Always choose a meaningful quote, then be able to explain its significance within the context of the piece.

Smile abundantly this week! I am proud of all of you!

DUE DATES:

Friday, March 23: Final Research Paper due.
Monday, March 26: Read Chapter 1, The Great Gatsby
Wednesday, March 28: Read Chapter 2, The Great Gatsby

Week 28 MS Word

Week 28 pdf

If you have questions about these assignments, please leave a comment or email me directly. Remember, I will check the blog until 9:59 pm. You know I need my Seinfeld fix.