Journal Entries for Poetry Unit                    Back to Assignments

Here you'll find slightly expanded explanations about the journal entries for our poetry unit. Of course, there will also be one or two formal and graded essays in this unit, but the journal entries will keep you on track, practicing, and thinking about poetry in more ways than a couple of formal essays could.

If you have any questions, write to me.

Journal Entry #1:

A.    Does analysis kill or improve literature? Obviously, you think I want you to answer one way because I'm an English teacher. And it's true that I probably lean in that direction more often than not. But it's also true that leaning too far one way can make you fall over; you need balance. If we read some literature "just for the fun of it," we're missing out on 90% of what the author was trying to share, and we do him a disservice. Conversely, if we try to make a deep and serious study of "Hop on Pop," we look like idiots. Where's the middle ground? Pleas try to give examples.

B.    What's the difference between serious and popular literature? Well, popular literature is what I read during June, July, and August. Serious stuff is what I teach in the AP class. But what's the difference? Where to we draw the line? There must be come criteria I use to judge the "serious" as opposed to the merely popular. What would you say it is? And you can't use the escape that I just used!

Journal Entry #2:

        As we go through the year, I want you to get better and better at making sense of complex literature on your own. For this first assignment, take on one of Shakespeare's sonnets, but don't try to interpret it just yet. Just read it carefully and note where the questions arise and what words give rise to them. For instance, is he addressing someone? If so, who? What is his attitude toward this person? Are there any grammatical problems such as pronouns with no clear antecedent or transitional words such as "then" or "but"? Look carefully at the stanza structure. Is the message contained in three quatrains and a couplet or in an octet and a sestet? Is it serious or lighthearted? How do you know?

Journal Entry #3:

        "The Collar" is a famous metaphysical poem by George Herbert, a priest--hint hint!! At first reading it seems nearly incomprehensible, but repeated readings begin to unlock its secrets. As you read, consider who the speaker is and what his situation is. What is his tone of voice? Perhaps the volume and modulation of his voice? Those are actually key. Look at the title carefully; it's the key to the whole poem. You'll probably, eventually, get at least 80% of it on your own, but your journal should reflect the spots where you just got bogged down and had to guess.