Your poetry

Here are some of my favorite Hughes-inspired poems (that you wrote). Enjoy!

"Broken" 

What happens to a broken soul?
Does it shrivel up and fade from existence?
Does it mend itself?
Maybe it just stays as it is.
Or does it work to better itself?

I, too, sing America
I am unique
They think I’m average
But I am different in everyway
Tomorrow I will laugh with all my friends
Nobody’ll care
Besides they are as different as I am
I, too, am American

"Ego"

What happens to big egos?
Do they expand like a thirsty sponge?
Do they shrivel up after criticism?
Maybe they just hide in their insecurities
Or do they erode over time like a rocky cliff pelted by waves?


"Shoes’ Moods"

What happens to a shoe, in a matter of a day?
Does it step in some gum?
Does it want to just run away?
Maybe it just sits and waits, for a new foot to fill its place.
Or does it long to run, free of stink?

"Potential Revealed"

I, too, sing America

I am pushed forward
forced to stand on trial before the jury
They judge with STONY HEARTS
But I turn my face away
Tomorrow the impartial judge will come
Nobody will judge recklessly or unjustly
Besides…they have never seen my true potential

I, too, am America


"Ignorance Festered"

What happens to defiant ignorance?
Does it boil over on a stove?
Or pop like a pimple in its prime,
—That spews puss over the skin?
Does it expand like a marshmallow in the microwave,
Spreading its presence to all known space?
Or torture as a poison,
Crushing life in its grasp.
Maybe it burns up,
Like charred meat on the grill.
Or does it ERUPT and spread its influence?


"Shine"

I, too, sing America
I am a small star among thousands,
Shining dimly,
They are brilliant stars,
Blocking out my small light
But I am special
Tomorrow my light will outshine
everyone else’s,
Nobody’ll question by existence
Besides, we all are bright
I, too, sing America

Verbosity in Dickens

Contrary to popular belief, Dickens did NOT get paid by the word. However, many of his readers read his novels in serial form, and paid monthly to receive the journal, which published the current installment of his novel. Later, the successful serials would be published as a book or a book in several volumes. So, in a sense, he was paid for keeping his readers' interest, rather than by the word.

Dickens does tend to be quite verbose. What are some of the benefits of his "wordy" style of writing, and what are some of the detriments?

Helpful Website

Were you wondering about the reference to the crusaders with crossed legs? Do you know what Pip is referring to when he is commenting on the convict's potential for having "ague"? Do you know what a "jack-towel" is?

Check out Discovering Dickens. The site has some great explanations for the allusions and "historical things" mentioned in the novel. I hope you find it useful!

Expecting something great!

We will begin reading Great Expectations this week! May I offer a few suggestions to make your experience more enjoyable?

Consider listening to the novel. Dickens did, after all, read aloud as he was writing his novels. Read out loud with friends or buy/rent an audio version of the novel; audio versions are also available online for free. If you decide to download the novel on iTunes, be sure to choose an unabridged (complete) reading.

Don’t begin your reading at a time when you’re ready to go to bed. That’s just plain silly.

Get lost in the book. Imagine the scenes and the characters. In the words of Norrie Epstein, in her book The Friendly Dickens, “Read like a child, i.e., allow yourself to slip into Dickens’s world completely. Let go of the desire to ‘find out what happens.’ The plots are the least interesting parts of Dickens—the real pleasure is in the reading itself” (5).

Drink hot tea while you’re reading; it’s fun to feel British.

Use Sparknotes.com as a “help.” Yes, English teachers do know that students (of course, not honors students) use Spark Notes in place of reading. You will not do this. You will simply use Spark Notes as a reading aid.

Books, books, books!

We are nearing the end of Quarter One. (Can you believe it?) As we move into Quarter Two, you will have the opportunity to select a brand spankin' new Outside Reading novel! Is the excitement just killing you?

Help your classmates out: What book do you recommend? Why? You may discuss the book you just read for your first Book Talk, or you may discuss a book you read previously.

Also, may I recommend a website for you to reference, as you're making your selections? Click Here.

Life as a journey

In the poem "Ithaca," by Greek poet Constantine Cavafy, Cavafy says, "Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind,/To arrive there is your ultimate goal./But do not hurry the voyage at all./It is better to let it last for long years."

When we read this poem in class, we discussed Ithaca as a metaphor for death. Respond to the excerpt from the poem, and discuss the importance of seeing life as a journey. How has your life been a journey thus far?

Please read your classmates' comments, and respond to the questions posed in the comment section, as well. Interact!

Guidelines

I'm looking forward to making this blog a place where you can interact with your cohorts. As we move in that direction, I would like to give you some guidelines for using Glorious Fever:

1. It's okay to disagree. In the words of Robert Hutchins, "Education is a kind of continuing dialogue, and a dialogue assumes, in the nature of the case, different points of view." In your disagreements, be kind and respectful of differing points of view.

2. This is an extra credit opportunity. Each time you make a relevant and helpful comment, you may earn one extra credit point (for a possibility of 5 total points). Of course, this will require you to sign your name to your comments.

3. To make a comment: Click on the comments under the post, type your comment in the "leave your comment" box, click "name/URL," and type your name and block in the "name" box.

4. Have fun!

Watch for upcoming "discussion" topics!

Note: I have enabled comment moderation. If you don't see your comment right away, be patient. In order for your comment to appear, I must first check my E-mail and approve the comment. If you submit your comment five times, I get five E-mails from you. That's annoying:)