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English 115-25: From Frost to Dove: Storytelling in American Verse
Fall 2013 TR 11 – 12:15, Calhoun 204 Professor Jarman Office: Benson 400 Office Hours: M 2 – 3; TR 1 - 2 & by appointment Office Phone: 322-2618
Course Description
There is a great tradition of storytelling verse in American poetry that bridges the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Modernism had a profound effect on this tradition in the twentieth century, as it did on all art forms, but narrative poetry continued to be vital for some important American poets. Edwin Arlington Robinson, Robert Frost, Robinson Jeffers, Robert Penn Warren, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Rita Dove all made innovative use of narrative in their poetry. Various elements of prose fiction such as plot, character development, setting, and narration are apparent in their works, along with form, rhythm, and imagery. The central events of modern American history are also reflected in their poems, including the Great Depression, World Wars I and II, migrations west and north, and the Civil Rights Movement. Reading their poems allows us to become familiar with some great stories in poetic form, while also watching the development of modern American society and personal identity. Texts: Edwin Arlington Robinson, Selected Poems; Robert Frost, Early Poems; Robinson Jeffers, Selected Poems; Robert Penn Warren, Brother to Dragons; Gwendolyn Brooks, Selected Poems; and Rita Dove, Thomas and Beulah.
Required Texts
Edwin Arlington Robinson, Selected Poems Robert Frost, Early Poems Robinson Jeffers, Selected Poems Robert Penn Warren, Brother to Dragons : A Tale in Verse and Voices Gwendolyn Brooks, Selected Poems Rita Dove, Thomas and Beulah
Assignments and Grading
1. Paper 1, 1000 – 1250 words, due September 26. The paper should be on a narrative poem by Robinson or Frost, which we have not discussed in class.
2. Paper 2, 1000 – 1250 words, due October 17. The paper should compare and contrast 2 some aspect of Robinson Jeffers’ narrative poetry with a similar aspect in Robinson or Frost.
3. Revision of Paper 1 or 2 due November 5.
4. Paper 3, 1000 – 1250 words, paper due November 7. The paper should be on Brother to Dragons by Robert Penn Warren.
5. Paper 4, 1000 – 1250 words, due November 21. This paper should compare one of Gwendolyn Brooks’s female characters with Rita Dove’s Beulah in Thomas and Beulah or one of Brooks’s male characters with Rita Dove’s Thomas.
6. Revision of Paper 3 or 4 due December 5.
7. Quizzes, homework, and class participation throughout the semester.
8. Final examination: . The final examination will cover all of the poets we have read this semester.
Grading: 15% a piece for the papers (the revised paper will receive a new grade); 20% for quizzes, homework, and class participation; 20% for the final.
A Note on Research and the Honor Code: You may consult outside sources, either in the library or online. But if you do so, your paper must include a complete bibliography or works cited; even if you only briefly peruse an outside source, you must list it in your bibliography. This refers to all online sources, as well. MLA style for citations and works cited. The Heard Library has the MLA style available online: http://researchguides.library.vanderbilt.edu/content.php?pid=267410&sid=2207092
I have also provided a link on OAK on External Links.
Any paper which is not deemed to be your original work and which does not include proper citations of outside sources will be turned over to the Honor Council.
A Note on Due Dates and Attendance: Late papers will be reduced by one grade for every day they are late. Late papers may not be revised for a new grade. More than two unexcused absences will adversely affect your grade. Frequent absences for any reason will also reduce your grade.
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Schedule
August
22 Introduction
27 Popular linear narratives of the 19th century 29 Modern non-linear narratives
September
3 Edwin Arlington Robinson, Selected Poems 5 Edwin Arlington Robinson, Selected Poems
10 Edwin Arlington Robinson, Selected Poems 12 Preparation for paper 1
17 Robert Frost, Early Poems 19 Robert Frost, Early Poems
24 Robert Frost, Early Poems 26 DUE: Paper 1
October
1 Robinson Jeffers, Selected Poems 3 Robinson Jeffers, Selected Poems;
8 Robinson Jeffers, Selected Poems Preparation for paper 2 10 Fall Break
15 Robert Penn Warren, “The Ballad of Billie Potts” 17 Robert Penn Warren, Brother to Dragons, Parts I - II DUE: Paper 2
22 Robert Penn Warren, Brother to Dragons, Parts III - IV 24 Robert Penn Warren, Brother to Dragons, Parts V – VII Preparation for Paper 3
29 Robert Penn Warren, Brother to Dragons, Review 31 Gwendolyn Brooks, Selected Poems
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November
5 Gwendolyn Brooks, Selected Poems DUE: Revision of Paper 1 or 2 7 Gwendolyn Brooks, Selected Poems DUE: Paper 3
12 Rita Dove, Thomas and Beulah 14 Rita Dove, Thomas and Beulah Preparation for Paper 4
19 Rita Dove, Thomas and Beulah 21 DUE: Paper 4
26 Thanksgiving Break 28 Thanksgiving Break
December
3 Preparation for Final Exam 5 DUE: Revision of Paper 3 or 4
10 Final Examination, 3 p.m.
Schedule of Visiting Writers
A number of writers will be coming to campus this semester who should be of interest to this class. Attendance at these readings is optional. If you attend one of the readings, you should also give me a brief paragraph describing your response, and you will receive extra credit for class participation.
September 12: Deborah Eisenberg fiction
September 26: Kevin Young poetry
October 3: Steve Stern fiction
October 24: Lynn Emanuel poetry
November 7: Justin Torres fiction