Then we discussed using a rock as a metaphor. For example, what impression would an author give if he or she were to compare a person to a rock. We brainstormed on the chalkboard.
Then we read I am a Rock by Paul Simon (as well, we listened to the Simon and Garfunkel song)
Students completed a sheet where they answered the following questions:
1 Identify two examples of alliteration.
2. Identify one metaphor used in the poem and explain what the comparison is meant to show.
3. Without looking in a dictionary, what is the best definition of disdain (in line 12)?
4. What is the setting of the poem?
5. What is the best explanation of lines 17 and 18?
6. Describe the narrator and his feelings.
7. What emotion is most prevalent in this poem?
8. What form of poetry is this?
9. There are several images the poet uses in this poem. Identify at least three images and explain what these images are meant to convey.
10. What is the basic message or theme of this poem?
This work is due next class.
We wrote down definitions of the words poetry, prose, and genre.
I also introduced the next assignment:
Although “Meditation XVII” by John Donne seems to be a poem, it is a piece of prose. Your assignment is to change the prose format of the poem into poetry, keeping in mind that line divisions are important to create meaning. Consider line length, word size, spacing, justification, font, colour, overall shape, and background illustrations
Criteria
creative
neat
white, unlined paper
For this assignment I show students poems that use crazy line breaks and unorthodox structure (and even concrete poems).
This assignment will be due next week some time.
