Lessons, 4 - 8 November 2013

English 1301 4-8 November 2013 Who is the Seafarer? The first half of each period: this week we’ll begin reading a short poem, “The Seafarer,” (handout) in translation, both for content and historical context, and for learning poetic terms, including: Kenning 4-beat line Caesura Alliteration Elegy / elegiac Sapiential? Maybe. Metaphors Imagery (the sea, the cold, ice, terns [seabirds]), land, spring, the cuckoo, solitude, and more!) Poetry is not prose; flinging some words about and calling the chaotic result poetry is puerile. Poetry can be therapy, and when it is, the patient should keep it to himself. Poetry is language crafted from any number of hundreds of possible techniques beyond the elements of prose, and reflects the poet’s skill and the poet’s respect for his (the pronoun is gender-neutral) audience. Yes, you will soon write a literary essay based on an assigned topic from “The Seafarer” and the techniques associated with it. The second half of each class period: We (you, mostly) will work on your research paper. Understand that in-class time is not enough, not nearly enough; this is a long-term project whose success requires initiative (yours). The time for discussing topics is over; two months is enough time (actually, two hours is enough time) to select a topic, accomplish a quick ‘net search for sources, accomplish a quick mind (yours) search for feasibility, consult with the instructor, and get on with it. This week I want to read your rough drafts and your rough bibliographies. I must see your sources in a physical form before I sign off on them – read and re-read your assignment. Forgive me for saying this yet again, but this is not high school. Notes on attendance: Neither Angelina College nor Jasper High School canceled classes last week, so missing class counted as an absence. Yes, I believe you about the flooded driveway, but in college there is no concept of excused absences or unexcused absences. Happily, those who missed on Thursday now have only one absence, and there is no perfect attendance award, so all is well.