bemoan
misogynist
abhor
talisman
placid
Remember to review your cumulative vocab too--a quiz may pop up at any time!
This week's presentations:
10:00--Mary, Owen
12:15--Kennedi, Kelsey, Eva
Thomas Wolfe Essay Contest
Those of you who are interested in participating in the Thomas Wolfe essay contest, please 1) let me know you plan to participate and 2) submit your essays to me via email or hard copy by class next Wednesday so that I can give you feedback before you submit your final essay. Note: you will submit your final essay individually via email per the directions on the site. Remember the deadline is Saturday, September 23nd at 5pm. See my prior post for more details.
The Puritans
We will meet one Separatist and two Puritans this week. Take time to try and relate to them. Because they lived around 400 years ago, their language and perspectives may seem odd, but they are like us in many ways and have important things to teach us.
Note: Avoid procrastinating or underestimating the time required for this work. Allow enough time to read and think carefully about the passages and poems. My estimate of the length of this week's work is closer to 4 hours than 3.
We will meet one Separatist and two Puritans this week. Take time to try and relate to them. Because they lived around 400 years ago, their language and perspectives may seem odd, but they are like us in many ways and have important things to teach us.
Note: Avoid procrastinating or underestimating the time required for this work. Allow enough time to read and think carefully about the passages and poems. My estimate of the length of this week's work is closer to 4 hours than 3.
Watch and take notes on this overview of the Puritan tradition:
American Literature: The Puritan Period 10:44
Read this article, "The Puritans Behind the Myths," then write a paragraph summarizing some of the "myths" regarding Puritans.
1. William Bradford, 1590-1657, English Separatist, migrated to Plymouth Colony on the Mayflower in 1620Read this article, "The Puritans Behind the Myths," then write a paragraph summarizing some of the "myths" regarding Puritans.
Watch The Mayflower (0:00-7:00)
Read pp. 76-83 "Of Plymouth Plantation," William Bradford
Listen along while you read to help you focus. It will keep you from hydroplaning!
Audio: William Bradford, "Of Plymouth Plantation"
After reading answer the following questions on p. 83: 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, 6
2. John Winthrop, 1587-1649, English Puritan lawyer, helped found Massachusetts Bay Company, governor of Massachusetts
Listen to this lecture (12 minutes) about John Winthrop and his speech "Model of Christian Charity" which Winthrop wrote on the ship Arabella in 1630. Bear with this presenter (and his yawn) because it's a solid overview. ; ) He will share pieces from Winthrop's speech, also known as the"City on a Hill" speech. This is a very famous speech that sets forth a particular purpose and perspective on the role of the community. This purpose and perspective has been referenced many times since.
As you listen, take good notes on what you learn about John Winthrop and the main points of this speech.
A. Do you agree with his perspective on the role of the community? Why or why not?
B. Describe his "city on a hill" reference. Here's a more modern translation of that passage if you would like to review it.
Read the original reference from the Bible. What point was Jesus trying to impress upon his disciples here?
Watch JFK's 1961's "City on a Hill" reference. (2 minutes) Also, read the description of it to give you some context regarding the place and purpose of the speech.
Watch Ronald Regan's farewell speech from 1989. (2 minutes)
C. Why do you think both of these presidents chose to evoke this reference and image?
D. Do you personally think that America is a "city on a hill." Explain.
3. Anne Bradstreet 1612-1672, Puritan poet
A. To prepare to read Bradstreet's poetry, look up the following poetry terms in the back of your American Experience and define them in your Literary Terms section of your notebook:
Stanza
Couplet-(look within stanza definition)
Rhyme
Rhyme Scheme
Metaphor
Apostrophe--(not grammar!)
Personification
Anastrophe (not in book--here's a quick video for this one--warning, it will cut off prematurely but that's ok)
B. Next, read the biography about Anne Bradstreet on p. 92 of American Experience, then watch this brief biography (2:30). Write down five interesting or important facts about her life.
C. For each of Bradstreet's poems I gave you in class, do the following:
1. Read the poem to yourself, at least twice. Read it aloud. (Poetry is meant to be spoken/heard.)
2. Listen to someone else recite the poem. (I will include links for audios for each poem below.)
3. Look up any familiar words. Underline them, draw an arrow, and then jot down a quick definition on the page.
4. Paraphrase the poem, chunk-by-chunk. Draw a bracket around sections and briefly put each section in your own words. Do this on the same page as the poem.
5. Identify the rhyme scheme for each poem.
6. Look for some of the terms you defined in your notes. Do you see any metaphors? apostrophe? personification? anastrophe? If so, mark or note them.
"The Author to Her Book"
Recitation/Audio Link
Also, watch: "The Author to Her Book: Summary and Analysis" Sorry but this will annoyingly cut off just before 3 minutes, but watch what you can-good info.
"Verses Upon the Burning of our House"
Recitation/Audio Link
Watch this video too which will also cut off but give you a good intro.
"To My Dear and Loving Husband"
Recitation/Audio Link
"Before the Birth of One of Her Children" Recitation/Audio Link
Also, watch this explanation of it. (7 minutes)
Read this article about childbirth in early America.
D. Based on everything you've read, what are some ways that life is the same now as it was then?
E. What are some ways that life is different?
Audio: William Bradford, "Of Plymouth Plantation"
After reading answer the following questions on p. 83: 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, 6
2. John Winthrop, 1587-1649, English Puritan lawyer, helped found Massachusetts Bay Company, governor of Massachusetts
Listen to this lecture (12 minutes) about John Winthrop and his speech "Model of Christian Charity" which Winthrop wrote on the ship Arabella in 1630. Bear with this presenter (and his yawn) because it's a solid overview. ; ) He will share pieces from Winthrop's speech, also known as the"City on a Hill" speech. This is a very famous speech that sets forth a particular purpose and perspective on the role of the community. This purpose and perspective has been referenced many times since.
As you listen, take good notes on what you learn about John Winthrop and the main points of this speech.
A. Do you agree with his perspective on the role of the community? Why or why not?
B. Describe his "city on a hill" reference. Here's a more modern translation of that passage if you would like to review it.
Read the original reference from the Bible. What point was Jesus trying to impress upon his disciples here?
Watch JFK's 1961's "City on a Hill" reference. (2 minutes) Also, read the description of it to give you some context regarding the place and purpose of the speech.
Watch Ronald Regan's farewell speech from 1989. (2 minutes)
C. Why do you think both of these presidents chose to evoke this reference and image?
D. Do you personally think that America is a "city on a hill." Explain.
3. Anne Bradstreet 1612-1672, Puritan poet
A. To prepare to read Bradstreet's poetry, look up the following poetry terms in the back of your American Experience and define them in your Literary Terms section of your notebook:
Stanza
Couplet-(look within stanza definition)
Rhyme
Rhyme Scheme
Metaphor
Apostrophe--(not grammar!)
Personification
Anastrophe (not in book--here's a quick video for this one--warning, it will cut off prematurely but that's ok)
B. Next, read the biography about Anne Bradstreet on p. 92 of American Experience, then watch this brief biography (2:30). Write down five interesting or important facts about her life.
C. For each of Bradstreet's poems I gave you in class, do the following:
1. Read the poem to yourself, at least twice. Read it aloud. (Poetry is meant to be spoken/heard.)
2. Listen to someone else recite the poem. (I will include links for audios for each poem below.)
3. Look up any familiar words. Underline them, draw an arrow, and then jot down a quick definition on the page.
4. Paraphrase the poem, chunk-by-chunk. Draw a bracket around sections and briefly put each section in your own words. Do this on the same page as the poem.
5. Identify the rhyme scheme for each poem.
6. Look for some of the terms you defined in your notes. Do you see any metaphors? apostrophe? personification? anastrophe? If so, mark or note them.
"The Author to Her Book"
Recitation/Audio Link
Also, watch: "The Author to Her Book: Summary and Analysis" Sorry but this will annoyingly cut off just before 3 minutes, but watch what you can-good info.
"Verses Upon the Burning of our House"
Recitation/Audio Link
Watch this video too which will also cut off but give you a good intro.
"To My Dear and Loving Husband"
Recitation/Audio Link
"Before the Birth of One of Her Children" Recitation/Audio Link
Also, watch this explanation of it. (7 minutes)
Read this article about childbirth in early America.
D. Based on everything you've read, what are some ways that life is the same now as it was then?
E. What are some ways that life is different?
Thought for the Week:
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." -Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." -Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral
