MODERN POETRY
Poetry should.....
achieve freshness, vitality,
and genuine emotion that sharpens our perspectives of
life
KEY INTO UNDERSTANDING MODERN VERSE
Stock responses are: predictable, conventional
reactions to:a) language b) charactersc) symbolsd) or situations
Clichés are: ideas or expressions that
have become tired and trite from overuse; they tend to:
a) anesthetize readers b) instead of alerting to the possibility of fresh
perspective
CONSIDER: STOCK RESPONSES, CLICHÉS, AND
SENTIMENTALITY
Sentimentality : cons the reader response because it tends to:
a) exceed what the situation warrants b) it’s like cotton candy -
momentarily sweet but wholly insubstantial
Sentimentality is considered a pejorative term - or a worsening
irony, not sentiment, which would be synonymous with emotion or feeling
Clichés, Stock Responses, and Sentimentality are considered hallmarks of weak writing
Modern Poetry - or maybe all poetry - achieves freshness, vitality, and genuine emotion that sharpen our
perceptions of life
MORE DEFINING
1. Consider the first stanza of the following Modern Poem.
2. Do you recognize any clichés, stock responses, or sentimentality? 3. If so, why? If not, why?
MODERN POETRY
I was bruised and battered and I couldn't tell
What I feltI was unrecognizable to myselfI saw my reflection in a window I
didn't knowMy own faceOh brother are you gonna leave meWastin' awayOn the streets of Philadelphia.
STANZA ONE
Notice references to the human spirit?
I walked the avenue till my legs felt like stone I heard the voices of friends vanished and gone At night I could hear the blood in my veins Black and whispering as the rain On the streets of Philadelphia
STANZA TWO
Find any clichés?
Ain't no angel gonna greet me It's just you and I my friendMy clothes don't fit me no moreI walked a thousand milesJust to slip this skin
Find any stock responses?
STANZA THREE
The night has fallen, I'm lying awakeI can feel myself fading awaySo receive me my brother with your faithless kissOr will we leave each other alone like thisOn the streets of Philadelphia
Notice speaker's view
of time?
STANZA FOUR
Get a copy of the lyrics from Mrs. Baran
PLEASE—AT THIS POINT
Characterize Philadelphia - what sort of life is described by the speaker? Which images seem especially evocative to you? Why do you feel the author limited punctuation in this verse? How do you make sense of the lines in the absence of conventional punctuation? What kind of mood is evoked by the language of these verses? Explain whether you think this poem can be accurately termed a narrative. Is this poem a true modern classic, or is this poem a mere play on your emotions to evoke a stock response?
Directions: Answer each question with thought provoking words
Did you hear of or view the movie Philadelphia starring Tom Hanks and Denziel Washington? This biographical movie chronicled the life of a Philadelphia lawyer who contracted AIDS and was subsequentially fired from his job. He was a very competent and valuable member of the firm until his illness became known. The young lawyer decided to sue his firm for discrimination. Not one lawyer in the 'city of brotherly love' was willing to take the case. Maybe these issues provoked Bruce Springsteen's telling lyrics.
DID YOU RECOGNIZE ANY ASPECTS OF THIS POEM?
DID ANY LINES SOUND FAMILIAR?
Part OneKnowing the circumstances for the poem, explain whether or not your life perceptions have changed.
Part TwoNow, consider the character of Miss Emily. What is the quality of life she faced nearly every day of her life?How did you make sense of the storyline with the element of flashback? What kind of mood is evoked by the language of this story?
ASSIGNMENT
Part ThreeNow compare Miss Emily to the speaker of the poem: consider time references, the human spirit, and the fear of being utterly alone.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Hyperlink to watch the video:http://10.1.1.13/SafeVideos/Video.aspx?id=4z2DtNW79sQ&redirect=true