Scansion
Scansion is the process of analyzing poetry's rhythm by looking at meter and feet. A foot is a two- or three-syllable division of stresses. Meter is the predominant rhythm of a poem based on the type and number of feet per line.
Syllables are marked either as stressed (/) or unstressed (-) depending upon the pronunciation of a given word within the line. For instance, the word "example" would scan as:- / -
ex am ple
Common Metrical Feet in English
Foot
Syllables
Stress Pattern
Example
iamb
2
- /
pretend
trochee
2
/ -
season
spondee
2
/ /
pyrrhic
2
- -
anapest
3
- - /
unabridged
dactyl
3
/ - -
dangerous
Meter
As stated before, meter is defined by the predominant type of foot and the number of feet within the lines of a poem. For instance, much of English dramatic verse was written in iambic pentameter, or lines of five iambs, because the rhythm most closely approximated natural speech patterns. In fact, unrhymed iambic pentameter was so popular, it had a term of its own: blank verse.
Although these speeches are all written in blank verse, there are other meters as well:
monometer—lines consisting of 1 foot
dimeter—lines consisting of 2 feet
trimeter—lines consisting of 3 feet
tetrameter—lines consisting of 4 feet
pentameter—lines consisting of 5 feet (blank verse)
hexameter—lines consisting of 6 feet (alexandrine)
Lines of more than six feet are rare in English poetry.
Other Helpful Poetry Terms
assonance—repetition or a pattern of similar sounds, especially vowel sounds
caesura—a natural pause or break in a line of poetry, usually near the middle of the line
consonance—repetition of similar consonant sounds, especially at the ends of words
couplet—a pair of lines of the same length that usually rhyme and form a complete thought
enjambment—the running on of the thought from one line, couplet, or stanza to the next without a syntactical break
feminine ending—an extra unstressed syllable at the end of a line
masculine ending—an extra stressed syllable at the end of a line
versification—the system of rhyme and meter in a poem
Close Reading
Close reading is the foundation for studying literature. In the case of these readings, we're looking at the basic definitions of individual words, their literal and figurative uses, fundamental grammar and syntax, and the context in which words or phrases are used. In addition, these readings are all dramatic works; unlike novelists, playwrights are basically limited to dialogue and stage directions to tell their stories. That means the text is more subject to interpretation. We're looking for clues to meaning within the speeches. First, we make our observations. Then, we make inferences based on patterns that we see.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Realism
Civil War Period - 1860-1870
Character is more important than action and plot; complex ethical choices are often the subject.
Characters appear in their real complexity of temperament and motive; they are in explicable relation to nature, to each other, to their social class, to their own past.
Class is important; the novel has traditionally served the interests and aspirations of an insurgent middle class.
ODE TO STEPHEN DOWLING BOTSMark Twain
And did young Stephen sicken, And did young Stephen die? And did the sad hearts thicken, And did the mourners cry? No; such was not the fate of Young Stephen Dowling Bots; Though sad hearts round him thickened, 'Twas not from sickness' shots. No whooping-cough did rack his frame, Nor measles drear, with spots; Not these impaired the sacred name Of Stephen Dowling Bots. Despised love struck not with woe That head of curly knots, Nor stomach troubles laid him low, Young Stephen Dowling Bots. O no. Then list with tearful eye, Whilst I his fate do tell. His soul did from this cold world fly, By falling down a well. They got him out and emptied him; Alas it was too late; His spirit was gone for to sport aloft In the realms of the good and great.
Mark Twain
Civil War Period - 1860-1870
Character is more important than action and plot; complex ethical choices are often the subject.
Characters appear in their real complexity of temperament and motive; they are in explicable relation to nature, to each other, to their social class, to their own past.
Class is important; the novel has traditionally served the interests and aspirations of an insurgent middle class.
ODE TO STEPHEN DOWLING BOTSMark Twain
And did young Stephen sicken, And did young Stephen die? And did the sad hearts thicken, And did the mourners cry? No; such was not the fate of Young Stephen Dowling Bots; Though sad hearts round him thickened, 'Twas not from sickness' shots. No whooping-cough did rack his frame, Nor measles drear, with spots; Not these impaired the sacred name Of Stephen Dowling Bots. Despised love struck not with woe That head of curly knots, Nor stomach troubles laid him low, Young Stephen Dowling Bots. O no. Then list with tearful eye, Whilst I his fate do tell. His soul did from this cold world fly, By falling down a well. They got him out and emptied him; Alas it was too late; His spirit was gone for to sport aloft In the realms of the good and great.
Mark Twain
American Literary Movements
They are:
Plantation, Tradition,Calvinism,Puritanism in New England,Captivity Narratives,Realism
Concord Chronology,Romance and Novel,Conversion Narratives,Salem Witch Trials,Covenant Theology,Sentimentalism,Domestic Fiction,Sermon,Early American Novel,Slave Narratives,Southwestern Humor,Transcendentalism
Meditation,Travel Narratives,Native American Literature and Naturalism.
1. Calvinism - human beings were creatures of fellowship(need to identify) and that Church and State, satisfied a human need for this type of grouping. Individuals must cultivate this awareness of deity through examination of the seeds of divinity within each person as well as through contemplation of and reflection on the world. Sin, for Calvin, is the opposite of knowing God; and a corrupt reason and will can prevent this knowledge.
The Five Points of Calvinism (often remembered through the acronym T U L I P)
1. Total depravity. Man is naturally unable to exercise free will, since through Adam's fall he has suffered hereditary corruption. Evil was a palpable presence in the Puritans' world, and it was often symbolized by the struggle between light and darkness. In this system, it was impossible to find disillusioned Puritans, for they believed that there was no horror that man could not commit.
2. Unconditional election. Election manifests itself through God's wisdom to elect those to be saved, despite their inability to perform saving works. Only a chosen few are so elected, and simply being a church member did not necessarily signify election.
3. Limited atonement. Man's hereditary corruption is partially atoned for by Christ, and this atonement is provided to the elect through the Holy Spirit. This limited atonement gives them the power to attempt to obey God's will as revealed through the Bible.
4. Irresistible and prevenient grace, made only to the elect. Grace was a "motion of the heart" that was God's gift to the elect-unconditional, irresistible, and inexorable. It came to each directly and could not be taken away. It promised "ecstatic intimacy with the divine" or "soul liberty." When Winthrop talks about liberty, this is the sort that he counts on his audience recalling.
5. Perseverance of saints. Those who are predetermined as elect inevitably persevere in the path of holiness.
Example of Calvinist poetry.
Jonathan Edwards
What are we in the hands of the great God?It was in vain you set up thorn and briarIn battle array against the fireAnd treason crackling in your blood;For the wild thorns grow tameAnd will do nothing to oppose the flame;Your lacerations tell the losing gameYou play against a sickness past your cure. How will the hands be strong? How will the heart endure?
1. Find a passage from the poem that expresses its tone. Is the tone exciting, enthralling, dark, angry, insignificant, sad, or ? Provide evidence by choosing three specific words that support your choice of tone. Tell me why you chose those words.
2. This poem is showered with metaphor. Choose three passages; for example, " you set up thorn," meaning something happened that caused you pain. A thorn pricks connotating pain.
Write three of your own.
3. Why do you think Calvinism happened? It was a long time ago and maybe people were afraid of things they yet didn't understand; earthquakes, floods, etc.. what do you think? Do you like the poem? Does it relate in any way to life today? If so, how?
They are:
Plantation, Tradition,Calvinism,Puritanism in New England,Captivity Narratives,Realism
Concord Chronology,Romance and Novel,Conversion Narratives,Salem Witch Trials,Covenant Theology,Sentimentalism,Domestic Fiction,Sermon,Early American Novel,Slave Narratives,Southwestern Humor,Transcendentalism
Meditation,Travel Narratives,Native American Literature and Naturalism.
1. Calvinism - human beings were creatures of fellowship(need to identify) and that Church and State, satisfied a human need for this type of grouping. Individuals must cultivate this awareness of deity through examination of the seeds of divinity within each person as well as through contemplation of and reflection on the world. Sin, for Calvin, is the opposite of knowing God; and a corrupt reason and will can prevent this knowledge.
The Five Points of Calvinism (often remembered through the acronym T U L I P)
1. Total depravity. Man is naturally unable to exercise free will, since through Adam's fall he has suffered hereditary corruption. Evil was a palpable presence in the Puritans' world, and it was often symbolized by the struggle between light and darkness. In this system, it was impossible to find disillusioned Puritans, for they believed that there was no horror that man could not commit.
2. Unconditional election. Election manifests itself through God's wisdom to elect those to be saved, despite their inability to perform saving works. Only a chosen few are so elected, and simply being a church member did not necessarily signify election.
3. Limited atonement. Man's hereditary corruption is partially atoned for by Christ, and this atonement is provided to the elect through the Holy Spirit. This limited atonement gives them the power to attempt to obey God's will as revealed through the Bible.
4. Irresistible and prevenient grace, made only to the elect. Grace was a "motion of the heart" that was God's gift to the elect-unconditional, irresistible, and inexorable. It came to each directly and could not be taken away. It promised "ecstatic intimacy with the divine" or "soul liberty." When Winthrop talks about liberty, this is the sort that he counts on his audience recalling.
5. Perseverance of saints. Those who are predetermined as elect inevitably persevere in the path of holiness.
Example of Calvinist poetry.
Jonathan Edwards
What are we in the hands of the great God?It was in vain you set up thorn and briarIn battle array against the fireAnd treason crackling in your blood;For the wild thorns grow tameAnd will do nothing to oppose the flame;Your lacerations tell the losing gameYou play against a sickness past your cure. How will the hands be strong? How will the heart endure?
1. Find a passage from the poem that expresses its tone. Is the tone exciting, enthralling, dark, angry, insignificant, sad, or ? Provide evidence by choosing three specific words that support your choice of tone. Tell me why you chose those words.
2. This poem is showered with metaphor. Choose three passages; for example, " you set up thorn," meaning something happened that caused you pain. A thorn pricks connotating pain.
Write three of your own.
3. Why do you think Calvinism happened? It was a long time ago and maybe people were afraid of things they yet didn't understand; earthquakes, floods, etc.. what do you think? Do you like the poem? Does it relate in any way to life today? If so, how?
1. Genesis started life as a progressive rock band, in the manner of Yes and King Crimson, before a series of membership changes brought about a transformation in their sound, into one of the most successful pop/rock bands of the 1980s and 1990s. In addition, the group has provided a launching pad for the superstardom of members Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, and star solo careers for members Tony Banks, Michael Rutherford, and Steve Hackett. Their roots go back to 1965 and a pair of rival groups, the Garden Wall and the Anon, formed by students at the Charterhouse School in Godalming, Surrey. They merged, with the result that 15-year-olds Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, and Michael Rutherford joined with 14-year-old Anthony Phillips, calling themselves the New Anon and recording a six-song demo featuring songs primarily written by Rutherford and Phillips.
Fill in your words and use the above critique to help guide your speech.
________started life as a _________, in the manner of ____ and ____, before a series of _____ changes brought about a _______in their ______, into one of the most________bands of ____ and ____.
2.
Fill in your words and use the above critique to help guide your speech.
________started life as a _________, in the manner of ____ and ____, before a series of _____ changes brought about a _______in their ______, into one of the most________bands of ____ and ____.
2.
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