English 105: Approaches to Poetry (winter 2006) Instructor: Robert Brown Office: Divinity 38 (ext. 2397) Office hours: Office hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:00-11:00 AM, or by appointment Texts: Perrine s Sound and Sense. 11th ed. Thomas R Arp and Greg Johnson. Harcourt Brace English 105: Approaches to Poetry. This is a booklet of photocopied poems. Marking scheme: First essay (1000-2000 words): 22% Final essay (1000-2000 words): 22% Mid-term exam: 11% Final exam: 30% Quizzes/discussions: 7.5% Participation: 7.5% Participation includes attendance and participation in discussions, whether in discussion groups or whole-class discussions. A failure to be present for at least two-thirds of the quizzes/discussions will result in a zero for this mark There is no supplemental examination in this course. Tentative work schedule: The titles preceded by an asterisk (*) refer to poems in the book of photocopies. All the other titles are in Sound and Sense, but you may have to find them by using the index at the back of the text. The following is not a complete list. Almost certainly, additional poems will be assigned, either in Sound and Sense or in the book of photocopies or on separate handout. For the mid-term and final exam, you will be responsible for all the poems on the list and for any additional poems examined in class during the course. Jan. 10 Introduction: What Is Poetry? from On Being with Child The Red Wheelbarrow Terence, this is stupid stuff
Jan. 12 Speaker and dramatic situation Read pp. 22-31, including the poems Also: Break of Day There s been a death in the opposite house My Papa s Waltz When in Rome Jan. 17 Speaker and dramatic situation My Last Duchess * I being born a woman and distressed The Naming of Parts When my love swears she is made of truth Jan. 19 Imagery Read pp. 55-58, including the poems Also: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Living in Sin * Lament for the Dorsets Jan. 24 Imagery Spring Pied Beauty The Forge Those Winter Sundays The Darkling Thrush Jan. 26 Figurative language 1 Read pp. 69-79, including the poems Also: Death, be not proud Jan. 31 Figurative Language I Mirror Metaphors Arms and the Boy (on handout) after minor surgery (on handout) * The White House Feb. 2 Figurative Language 2 Read pp. 90-101, including the poems Also: * Snake * The Rose Tree Feb. 7 Mid-term exam First essay due
Feb. 9 Figurative Language 2 Fire and Ice Curiosity Aunt Jennifer s Tigers Power Feb. 14 Figurative Language 3 Read pp. 109-120, including the poems Also: *from Hardy s Satires of Circumstance Afterward Feb. 16 Figurative Language 3 Batter my heart, three-personed God The Unknown Citizen Mr. Z American Holiday Feb.21 Tone Read pp. 161-165, including the poems Also: Crossing the Bar The Oxen I never saw a Moor Faith is a fine invention One dignity delays for all Twas warm at first like us The Apparition The Flea Feb. 23 Tone Dover Beach Church Going Mar. 7 Musical Devices Read pp. 179-186, including the poems Also: *song of Caedmon Woman Work * The Word Plum Mar. 9 Musical Devices Rite of Passage Her Kind Fear no more the heat o the sun Nothing Gold Can Stay
Mar. 14 Rhythm and Meter Read pp.195-209 Also: Introduction to Songs of Innocence The Aim Was Song Old Ladies Home Had I the Choice To a Daughter Leaving Home [Constantly risking absurdity] [Because I could not stop for death] [Break, break, break] * The Ruined Maid Mar. 16 Rhythm and Meter Mar. 21 Pattern/Kind/Structure Second essay due * The Haystack in the Floods To His Coy Mistress The Dance Church Going [There s been a death in the opposite house] * Nude Descending a Staircase * Flower in the Crannied Wall The Oxen The Mill Pied Beauty Break of Day [Constantly risking absurdity] Mar. 23 Pattern/Kind/Structure * Michael (excerpt) I wandered lonely as a cloud * Daddy * Flower in the Crannied Wall *[Naked I came--] My Last Duchess * A Late Aubade *paradise Lost (excerpt) * The Passionate Shepherd to His Love * Song
Mar. 28 Pattern/Kind/Structure Acquainted with the Night * The Haystack in the Floods The Waking In Just Out Out *The Rape of the Lock (excerpt) My mistress eyes On First Looking into Chapman s Homer * Sestina Mar. 30 Allusion, including the poems Read pp. 135-137 Also: in Just On His Blindness Leda and the Swan Journey of the Magi * Penelope * song of One of the Girls Apr. 4 Cultural and Historical Contexts * Peace (Rupert Brooke) * The Soldier Dulce et Decorum Est * My Lady s Presence My mistress eyes * The Ruined Maid Apr. 6 Cultural and Historical Contexts * You Are the Brave *May, 1968 * Annus Mirabilis Apr. 11 and 13: Whatever. We ll cross this bridge when we come to it.