POETRY ANALYSIS

Found this while searching, seems like a good poetry analysis worksheet.
http://uwc.utexas.edu/handouts/poetry-analysis

1. The grey beards wag, the bald heads nod,
And gather thick as bees,
To talk electrons, gases, God,
Old nebulae, new fleas.
Each specialist, each dry-as-dust
And professional oaf,
Holds up his little crumb of crust
And cries, "Behold the loaf!"

Eden Phillpotts - The Learned

http://dokopoulosapenglish.blogspot.com/

2.

Surprised by joy — impatient as the wind

I turned to share the transport — O! with whom

But Thee, deep buried in the silent tomb,

That spot which no vicissitude can find?

Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind —

But how could I forget thee? Through what power,

Even for the least division of an hour,

Have I been so beguiled as to be blind

To my most grievous loss? — That thought’s return

Was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore,

Save one, one only, when I stood forlorn,

Knowing my heart’s best treasure was no more;

That neither present time, nor years unborn

Could to my sight that heavenly face restore.

 William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

“Surprised by joy — impatient as the wind”

 

http://hero035.edublogs.org/poetry-analysis-%E2%80%9Csurprised-by-joy-%E2%80%94-impatient-as-the-wind%E2%80%9D-by-william-wordsworth/

 

 

3. Dramatic Monologue

If only she truly spent time
with me, if only she had the
chance to know me! Oh, how
those round tables would turn,
and turn, and soon enough, it'd
be much like the wheel of fortune!
Oh yes! No more long nights in
front of the microwave, waiting on
my single serve Hungry Man Meal,
I'd be cooking from the cookbooks,
were it her I called my lady, and oh, she is.
We'd be two peas in a pod,
dancing under the willows and getting
our pictures taken by the roses. How
lovely companionship will be, (yet I still
must meet her.)

 

http://htoke02437.blogspot.com/

 

 

4. "I am two fools, I know,
For loving, and for saying so
In whining poetry ;
But where's that wise man, that would not be I,
If she would not deny ?
Then as th' earth's inward narrow crooked lanes
Do purge sea water's fretful salt away,
I thought, if I could draw my pains
Through rhyme's vexation, I should them allay.
Grief brought to numbers cannot be so fierce,
For he tames it, that fetters it in verse.

But when I have done so,
Some man, his art and voice to show,
Doth set and sing my pain ;
And, by delighting many, frees again
Grief, which verse did restrain.
To love and grief tribute of verse belongs,
But not of such as pleases when 'tis read.
Both are increasèd by such songs,
For both their triumphs so are published,
And I, which was two fools, do so grow three.
Who are a little wise, the best fools be."

 

THE TRIPLE FOOL.
by John Donne

http://apbritishlitpoetryblog.blogspot.com/

 

5.

Snow

The room was suddenly rich and the great bay-window was
Spawning snow and pink roses against it
Soundlessly collateral and incompatible:
World is suddener than we fancy it.

World is crazier and more of it than we think,
Incorrigibly plural. I peel and portion
A tangerine and spit the pips and feel
The drunkenness of things being various.

And the fire flames with a bubbling sound for world
Is more spiteful and gay than one supposes–
On the tongue on the eyes on the ears in the palms of your hands–
There is more than glass between the snow and the huge roses. 

                                                    by Louis MacNeice

 

http://blog.bestamericanpoetry.com/the_best_american_poetry/

Saint Crispian's Day Speech Recital

After two hours of technical difficulties, I finally got this on here.. (I havnt figured out how to work my new computer yet..) Yes, my dad is in the background.. he didn't know I was recording and I couldn't see him since my eyes were closed.. please grade me. Enjoy :)

LIT TERMS 1-5

Here are the five terms I decided to remix. I gave an example of each term. I hope its helpful :)

ALLEGORY- Allegory of the Cave: Socrates. http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/allegory.html
CLICHE- 'Beggars cant be choosers'
COMEDY- Elf
DENOTATION- plain dictionary definition (definition found on : http://drprestonsrhsenglitcomp12.blogspot.com/p/lit-terms.html)
ELEGY- Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard: Thomas Gray

SPRING SEMESTER PLAN 1

My plan for the spring semester is to stay focused on school. I know that it is very easy for seniors to get off track because our spring grades don't matter, but they really do. If they didn't matter then we would graduate in December rather than in June. This semester is a test to all of us to see how bad we want it... To see if we have the dedication and the diligence to keep our grades up despite the ever lingering "senior-it is."
Personally, I would like to focus on passing my AP tests. They mean a lot. They mean saving money on classes in college and graduating that much quicker. I need to buckle down and start studying now. I am planning on taking 5 AP tests in May. That is a huge work load. I am soon going to start to make a calendar of all the steps I need to take in order to study for all these tests. My first step is going to be NO PROCRASTINATION. It haunts every person on this planet and I need to find a way to beat it. (If anyone has any suggestions to help me out, I will gladly take them.)
Above all, I want to maintain my 4.0 or greater GPA. My goal at the beginning of my freshman year was to maintain a 4.0 GPA all throughout high school. I have 7/8 semesters down. I can't blow it on my final semester.
I hope that... no, I KNOW that I can achieve my goals. I just have to take it one step at a time.

AP PREP POST 1: SIDDARTHA

Essay Topics
1. Siddhartha explores the quest for spiritual enlightenment, and by the end of the novel four characters have achieved this goal: Govinda, Gotama, Vasudeva, and Siddhartha. Is the enlightenment achieved by each of these characters the same? Why or why not? What distinctions and similarities exist between the paths these characters use to reach their final goal?
http://www.amphi.com/schools/irhs/teacher-staff/jeen/english12/siddhartha-essay.aspx
         In the passage we are only introduced to Govinda. We are unaware of the characters Gotama and Vasudeva, so we do not know anything about their enlightenment or the similarities it may have to Govinda's and Siddarthda's. In order to answer this question, one would need to read the entire novel.

2. A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

jneff.wikispaces.com/file/view/Open+Question+Practice+Activity.doc · DOC file

          A symbol in the passage we read was the imaginary snake that laid in his path. It represented his confusion and frustration. In the passage, he was thinking through his life and how he didn't belong. The 'snake' was the wall that kept him from moving forward. But when he decided that he was just himself, just Siddartha, the snake moved and he was able to push forward in his life.

 

3. Siddhartha features substantial activity and narrative action. At the same time, it is about one man’s largely internal spiritual quest. What is the relationship between the internal and exterior worlds of Siddhartha? How does Siddhartha negotiate these worlds?

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/siddhartha/study.html
           In the passage, we are only revealed to the internal world of Siddartha. We are not exposed to any interaction with other characters. But Govinda's name is mentioned so we do know that Siddartha does have some kind of human contact beside the inside of his own mind.

4. Discuss the role of the mystic utterance Om in Siddhartha. In what ways does it foreshadow Siddhartha’s spiritual progression? Is his relationship with it proactive, or reactive?
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/siddhartha/study.html
         I have absolutely no idea how this question would be answered, but I would love to hear someone's opinion on how they would answer the question.

5. Explain which person has the greatest influence on Siddhartha and why?http://www.gradesaver.com/siddhartha/q-and-a/explain-which-person-has-the-greatest-influence-on-siddhartha-and-why-94151/
        This question is very simple and could be answered simply in two sentences, but due to the simplicity of it, the question becomes very hard. To me it is the same thing as having very structured guidelines for a project or very general guidelines. The general guidelines are always more difficult because it forces you to really think outside the box and get creative, but they are more fun because they are a more accurate representation of you. This question would be an awesome question to see on the AP exam. The room would sigh in relief. I would not be able to answer the question at the time because Siddartha has not been revealed to any other characters yet, to my knowledge. And I would also need examples to back up my points, which I do not have access to in just the one passage.


These questions have showed me that I really need to learn how to deeply analyze a novel and remember specific facts about it in order to succeed on the writing portion of the AP test in the spring. It also shows me that I need to know how to identify critical literary elements so I can give my essays more depth.

End of the semester questions

Do you read your colleagues’ work online?  How often? What is it like to read their work? How does being able to see everyone’s work online at any given time change the way you do your work?

How has the publicly and always visible course blog made this course different from one without a blog?  How would the course change if the course blog disappeared tomorrow?

Has publishing your work for the public to see changed your approach to completing an assignment? How so?  How would your feelings about the course change if you couldn’t publish your work that way?

Has your experience of the physical classroom changed because of the open & online aspects?  Where does your learning actually happen?  

You were described in the Macarthur Foundation/DML  interview as “a pioneer”-- how do you describe the experience on the edge to people who haven’t been there (friends and family)?

How do they respond when you describe the brave new world in which you’re working?

What do their responses mean to you?  What effect(s) (if any) do they have on you?

 

 

Answers

1. I read their work occasionally. It really shows insight on how they think. Being able to read others work shows me just how much competition there is out there. We have some very intelligent students in class.

2. It has taught me to take more pride in my work because now everyone can see it, rather than just the teacher. The course would become a lot less demanding. No one would know what time you did your homework and no one would know if u did it at all.

3. It has made me want to do it more because anyone can click on my blog now and see that I am missing that assignment. I wouldn't nessesarily feel the drive to finish my work completely and to the best of my ability.

4. My classroom experience feels the same. I experienced a similar classroom setting my sophomore year, so it isn't really new to me. My learning actually happens in the classroom. I'm not really into all the Internet stuff that we are doing. I honestly would rather take notes off of lectures. I learn better that way.

5. I would describe it as life changing. The world wide web is a crazy place full of a ton of information.

6. I describe it as different and new. It isn't awful, but I wouldn't choose to live this way.

7. Who's responses? The publics? My peer's? It is weird having my work critiqued by multiple people at multiple times, but it is kind of cool because it shows me that I'm not as good as I think I am and I can always try harder and improve more and more.

 

Lit Analysis #5

Bless Me Ultima by: Rudlolfo Anaya
GENERAL
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).


CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.

General
1. Antonio is almost 7 years old when Ultima comes to live with them. His family took her in because of her healing powers and experience with magic. She becomes very close with Antonio who becomes fascinated with the process of healing. He frequently goes out with her to collect herbs and make remedies. Antonio begins school and his mother desperately wants Ultima to reveal his destiny. She tells her that he will become a man of learning.
The war ended and Antonio's brothers return home from the war. They have a strange conflict with their father that Antonio will never understand. They both struggle to lead independent lives.
Tenorio gets in a conflict with Ultima and blames her for the death of her daughters. He tries to kill her, but fails. Later, he curses a man and the mans house becomes haunted. Ultima is called upon to get rid of the ghosts, and she does. She is highly respected after this.
Tenorio is still infuriated with Ultima and tries once again to kill her, but ends up shooting her owl. Ultima dies soon after because her owl is her spriritual symbol. Antonio is very sad and buries the owl as Ultima's last wish.
2. The theme is the importance of culture on an individuals identity. For example, the towns people look down upon Narciso for being the town drunk but little do they know that his traumatic experiences from war are what have altered his phsycological state. The characters are limited to what their culture has taught them, and never look past their own assumptions.
3. The authors tone is hopeful. The story is told by Antonio and since he is young, he has reason to hope for everything to turn out the best. He is very mature for his age though. He has many intellectual questions that adults cant even comprehend. The fact that the child tells the stroy, gives it a sense of innocence in a town of guilt. "

Characterization
1. Direct- "She took my hand and the silent magic powers she possessed made beauty from the raw, sunbaked llano, the green river valley, and the blue bowl which was the white sun's home."
-"He spoke in Spanish and the village he metioned was his home. My father had been a vaquero all his life, a calling as ancient as the coming of the Spainard to Nuevo Mejico."
Indirect- "I pressed my forehead against the cold wood of the porch wall and closed my eyes. I wanted the cold to draw all the heat our of my tired, wet body and make me well again. The day had been so long, it seemed to stretch back to eternity. I only wanted to go home... I wanted to hate Andrew for being bad with the women, but I could not. I only felt tired, and older."
- "At first we could only see the flaring light of the pinon torches. Then our eyes grew accustomed to the dark and we could see the dark outlines of men, and their red, sweating faces by the light of their torches."
2.  No, the authors syntax remains the same throughout the entire novel. Since Antonio is narrating the story, everyone is seen through the eyes of the same character, so the syntax and diction remain the same.
3. The protagonist, Antonio, is a dynamic character. At the beginning of the novel, Antonio was as innocent as he looked. He was naive and young. He had alot of questions, but he didn't understand the meaning of them before he became close to Ultima. By the end of the novel, Antonio may not have grown much in age but in mind, he grew about 20 years. He had a new understanding of the world and the people around him, thanks to Ultima.
4. I feel like I have just met a character in a book. I never was fully intregued into the novel. It isn't the type of story that really grabs my attention. For me, it lacked a romantic subplot. I think that the book was very well written and that the story was great. It just didn't hook me the way I beleive it was intended to. "At that moment I heard Ultima's owl hoot a danger cry outside. There was someone out there. I looked at Ultima and saw her smile vanish. She held her head high, as if sniffing the wind, and the strength I had seen when she dealt with Tenorio at the bar filled her face. She, too, had heard the owl."