Last week we read the poetry of Emily Dickinson who was highly criticized for her unusual rhyming, rhythms, capitalization, etc. Even though ee cummings wrote decades after Dickinson, he, too, was criticized for similar reasons. Read a couple of his poems. http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15399 http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15403
What do you think? Which one is more unusual? More difficult to understand? Why? Which one do you prefer reading? Why? Should poetry have NO rules?
This blog is for the use of students in Mrs. Oehrlein's English III American Literature course. Students should post their opinions freely but with the knowledge that others may not necessarily agree with those opinions. With this in mind, all students must write their posts and comments using a tone of respect at all times.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sylvia Plath or Anne Sexton??
You learned about Sylvia Plath on Jamie's detailed Wikicenter project. Many people compare her poetry to that of Anne Sexton. Read Anne Sexton's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15300 then go back and read a poem by Sylvia Plath called "Morning Song" http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15293 . Do you notice any similarities or differences in the two writers' wording, style, or content?
Walt Whitman or Allen Ginsberg??
You have read Walt Whitman. . .Try one of Ginsberg's most famous poems "Howl" at the site below. Is he similar to or different from Walt Whitman in any ways? Which one do you like better? Why? Which one strikes you as the most "American" and why?
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15308
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15308