Komunyakaa, Olds, Gallagher, Lee, Ansel

 Here's something to consider. In the poets we've studied over the last two weeks, it seems that relatively ordinary events produce complex, ambiguous mental and emotional responses, leading to profound insights (these can be critical insights into conflicts in our society or culture, questions about the relation of art to life and the purpose and value of art, etc.). How do you see this in Frost's "Birches" and/or "After Apple Picking" and Komunyakaa's "Facing It"?



Don't forget to read my comments on blogs, and review study sheets and exercises (on Blackboard) before writing about the poets.
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Olds, Gallagher, Lee, Ansel

If you're writing about Olds, be sure to check the study sheet on Bb, which will set you off in the right direction. Secondary sources for Gallagher and Lee: check the Literature Resource Center in the KBCC databases. There is an interview with Lee at the Poetry Foundation site, which may be useful. There are critical biographies of all three poets on PF, which include quote from various critics, commenting on aspects of the poetry, which may also be applied; if you cite these, note the critic's name, and the source as Poetry Foundation (poetryfoundation.org).   For Ansel, check the Lit Resource Ctr: there is a brief review under "critical articles" that should prove useful; also, the link on the syllabus to the poem "Glaze" includes the poem and a critical article about the poem, which can be cited in your essays, but is also a good model of close reading/detailed analysis.  Also in BB, under the "primary sources" tab, you may also read more of her poetry--and I will say, she is a very interesting poet...  (remember--you must have your ID validated to access the KBCC databases; this may be done at the library circulation desk.   If you have checked out a book at some point, you should be good to go).


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