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fandomhigh2006-04-11 07:53 pm
theoenophile.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2006-04-11 07:53 pm
Creative Writing: Poetry (April 11, 2006)
"Good morning, class. I hope you all enjoyed the extra week. Let's talk about Belloc and Holmes, okay?"
"Hillaire Belloc (1870-1953) was a devout Roman Catholic famous for saying 'Europe is the faith, and the faith is Europe.' His strong beliefs are reflected in his writings. I deliberately chose some of his more humorous works, because I wanted to talk about intent. Belloc obviously intends to amuse here, but he also intends to educate on a grotesque level. Occasionally the morals are obscured -- Henry King dies of eating string, but with the lesson that food is the only thing to put in your body. This could be taken as a strongly anti-drug message. Note that Rebecca, who's only crime is slamming doors, is killed by the bust of Abraham, who nearly sacrificed his own child in the Bible."
"Holmes, on the other hand, uses strong imagery to uplift and uphold, rather than condemn. Old Ironsides famously saved the Civil War-era ship from the scrapyard. In Contentment, he extolls the joys of a simple life, showing his willingness to live the virtues he believes in. One can feel the yearning for nothing more than 3 meals, a home, and 50-score books. Every man has his place of excess, I suppose, and I can't argue with that one."
"Your assignment for this week is to write a poem using heavy imagery that either upholds a virtue or tears down a sin. You may emulate the styles of either writer, or you may branch out, but please write at least 10 lines."
"Also, don't forget that your final project is due April 25th. Either a Shakespearan sonnet or a sestina."
"Hillaire Belloc (1870-1953) was a devout Roman Catholic famous for saying 'Europe is the faith, and the faith is Europe.' His strong beliefs are reflected in his writings. I deliberately chose some of his more humorous works, because I wanted to talk about intent. Belloc obviously intends to amuse here, but he also intends to educate on a grotesque level. Occasionally the morals are obscured -- Henry King dies of eating string, but with the lesson that food is the only thing to put in your body. This could be taken as a strongly anti-drug message. Note that Rebecca, who's only crime is slamming doors, is killed by the bust of Abraham, who nearly sacrificed his own child in the Bible."
"Holmes, on the other hand, uses strong imagery to uplift and uphold, rather than condemn. Old Ironsides famously saved the Civil War-era ship from the scrapyard. In Contentment, he extolls the joys of a simple life, showing his willingness to live the virtues he believes in. One can feel the yearning for nothing more than 3 meals, a home, and 50-score books. Every man has his place of excess, I suppose, and I can't argue with that one."
"Your assignment for this week is to write a poem using heavy imagery that either upholds a virtue or tears down a sin. You may emulate the styles of either writer, or you may branch out, but please write at least 10 lines."
"Also, don't forget that your final project is due April 25th. Either a Shakespearan sonnet or a sestina."