Unit 6: Literature – Discussion

Read the short story “The Lost Beautifulness

”

by Anzia Yezierska—available online and in Doc Sharing.

Source: Anzia Yezierska. The Lost Beautifulness. Retrieved from

http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/-pds/gilded/people/text6/yezierska

In Anzia Yezierska’s short story, “The Lost Beautifulness,” the protagonist Hanneh Hayyeh longs for something to call her own.

In your response to question one, consider the following questions:

Does the piece give you sympathy for any of the characters? Do you dislike any of the characters? How can a writer add a “universal appeal” for their piece of literature and create a strong link to their audience? For example, course text authors Janaro & Altshuler (2012) refer to epiphany, which provides an “insight into life or human nature” (97). How is epiphany demonstrated in “The Lost Beautifulness”? Incorporate the Unit 6 reading material in your response; include APA formatting.

Choose two of the poems here for your analysis, or you may also use Poets.org, 

http://poets.org/

, to search for other poems, or review the resources in this week’s My Humanities Kit.

Source: The Academy of American Poets. Poets.org. Retrieved from  

http://www.poets.org/

 

Langston Hughes.  

Let America Be America Again

 

Source: Hughes, Langston. Let America Be American Again. Retrieved from:  

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15609

 

June Jordan. 

A Poem about Intelligence for my Brothers and Sisters

 . (audio only)

Source: Jordan, June. A Poem About Intelligence for my Brothers and Sisters. Retrieved from  

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19038

 

Ted Kooser.  

A Happy Birthday

 

Source: Kooser, Ted. A Happy Birthday. Retrieved from  

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16717

 

Billy Collins.  

Introduction to Poetry

 

Source: Collins, Billy. Introduction to Poetry. Retrieved from  

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20177

 

Elaine Sexton. 

Public Transportation

 

Source: Sexton, Elaine. Public Transportation. Retrieved from  

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16444

 

In your response to question two, identify the two poems selected, and provide the consulted source links to both poems. List the titles and authors of the two poems you chose to analyze. Research the authors to learn a bit about their lives. Discuss them one at a time. Include the reading material and links to the poems in your response; incorporate APA formatting.

In your response, consider the following:

1. Was the poem difficult to understand?

2. How did you interpret it?

3. What do you think is the idea of the poem beyond the descriptions?

4. What does the biographical information add to an understanding of the poem?

In Seminar this week you will discuss reading trends. In 2004, the National Endowment for the Arts put out a study about “Reading at Risk” about the decline of reading in America. In 2007, another study showed that 1 on 4 adults read no books in 2006. However, recent studies show reading is increasing from the 2006 figures.

Read the articles below to compare the studies prior to Seminar. Be prepared to discuss the following articles with the class.

As part of your Seminar discussion this week, you will also consider three genres of literature, the novel, short stories, and poetry.

 

“One in Four Read No Books Last Year.”

 

Source:  Fram, Alan. (2007, August). “One in Four Read No Books Last Year.” The Washington Post  Retrieved from  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082101045_pf.html

” 
 

“Reading on the Rise for the first time since 1982, NEA Reports”

 
Source: Thompson, Bob. (2009, January). “Reading on the Rise for the first time since 1982, NEA Reports.” The Washington Post.   Retrieved from  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/11/AR2009011102337.html

 

1. What might account for the change in reading trends?

2. What does a decline or increase in reading of literature say about a culture? Why is reading literature important?

3. In this unit you considered poetry, which is rarely a best-seller. Why might poetry be less popular than fiction? Where are some places that poetry does exist and thrive in our culture? What are some of the unique benefits poetry can offer to the reader or listener?