Sunday, November 21, 2010

Those Winter Sundays

I did some antecedant scenario for this poem.
Some of Robert Hayden's best known poems can me found in his collection A Ballad of Remembrance. Hayden was also the first African America to be appointed as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress.
In my mind this poem was of realization. The narrator in the first stanzas does not realize that all the things his father does for him is out of love, he views the father as bitter and stern. The father does not ever show signs of affection and the narrator thinks that this means his father does not love him; moreover, he loves his work. The narrator then realizes in the very last stanza that the father shows his love for him through all those times he works in the cold and bitter days. The affection the father has for the narrator is shown through his actions not his words.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

On Reading Poems to a Senior Class at South High

This poem was a great analogy. The water is symbolic of the inspiration that comes from poetry. One can immerse themselves in water, just as they can immerse themselves into the "depths of poetry." If you simply look at the ocean, you cannot fully grasp the wonders that lie below the surface. However, even looking below the surface does not even give you the real experience of the ocean-you must become part of the ocean just like the speaker becomes a "part" of the ocean: "licked my fins, till they were hands again".

The speaker's initial reaction to how the students are going to react reminds me also of when you are presenting in a classroom. You hope as the teacher that students will be interested and engaged, but usually you think of the worst reactions-naturally.

This poem reminded me much of our ap literature class. When we get into the depths of the poems and when everyne expresses their opinions and veiw points its like we were at first packaged fish sticks and then we are all swimming together in the words of the poems. We all try and understand eachother's viewpoints as well which is a cool experience. Thanks for planning that Mrs. White :)
(even though it is a little scary getting in front of the class).

p.s. last week was supposed to be my "week off"
      I didnt know we were supposed to let you know until now so thanks :)