Background: Much of our work so far has focused on individual poems. While we sometimes relate the themes and techniques of one poem to those we find in another poem or to poetry from a similar tradition (such as the aubade) or form (such as the sonnet), we have primarily considered our experience and understanding of one poem at a time. Much poetry is indeed written to stand on its own or to be published individually. However, many poems are planned as contributions to a volume or collection. These volumes might reflect a poet’s work over a particular period of time or investigation of a specific theme or experience. In some cases, including Schott’s Penelope, a book of poems tells a story: the poems still operate as distinct works, but they also contribute to a larger narrative. Assignment: In an essay of about 1250-1500 words, explore Schott’s use of selected poetic techniques both to compose individual poems and to shape the overall narrative in her volume. Comment on specific examples from the volume that help you explain your own understanding and experience of the collection. In your discussion, you should define a specific focus or approach to the volume – you don’t have space to examine the entire collection, so narrow your attention to some aspect of the book that you find important or interesting: a development in Penelope’s character or perspective, a recurring motif or symbol, the relationship among the Penelopes, among other possibilities examine details from THREE or more poems, at least one drawn from each of the three reading assignments for the volume as indicated on the syllabus consider how these details contribute to your understanding of both the individual poems and of the overall narrative (you don’t need to provide a full reading of these poems) explain the relationships you see among the poems you select: demonstrate how one poem leads to the next comment on why you find these particular poems and / or techniques important to your reading of the volume, given your focus in the paper Evaluation: I will review your work on the basis of how well you achieve the bulleted items above as you shape your comprehensive reading of your selected poem. Remember that interpretation has a subjective component: a reading can be weak to the extent that it is inconsistent or is not grounded in details from the text, but there is no single correct reading of a text. Your perspective is your own: your aim here is to generate and explain your perspective by demonstrating how you develop it out of the specifics of the poem, not what “a reader” or people in general might say. Things we went over in class: Diction, word choice, syntax, poetic line, rhythm, meter, sound patterns, imagery, simile, metaphor, poetic form, persona, voice, address.
