For this assignment, you will choose to focus on a representative selection of poems W.H. Auden or Elizabeth Bishop.
from BISHOP : ” Filling Station ”
” Letter to New York ”
” To be Written on the mirror in whitewash ”
” Insomnia ”
from AUDEN : ” The more loving one ”
” O tell me the truth about love ”
” As i walked out one evening ”
” On the circuit ”
” The unknown citizen ”
1. Analyzing only the poems provided (for each poet, 2-3 from the text and 3-4 linked to online), and with no additional research, consider these questions:
2. What generalization(s) can be made about the poet’s craft?
3. What is a prominent feature of these poems? Why is it effective (or not)?
4. In this assignment you are trying to identify and explain an important feature of poet’s work with support provided by specific and sufficient examples from (only) the poems provided for the poet you choose.
5. You may focus on a thematic or technical/stylistic aspect of the poems.
6. Focus primarily on one element (see back of book on “writing about poetry). It should be a characteristic that is present in a number of poems (the more poems where it applies, the stronger your thesis), and support for your thesis should reference specific examples from these poems (see back of book on quoting lines of poetry in your paper).
In some cases, if two (or more?) elements are intimately related, you may discuss more than one element. However, do not merely march down a list of 2-3 independent (unrelated) features/elements.
6. See syllabus and “writing format” file (under “shared files”) for format specifications. A “Works Cited” page, following MLA format guidelines, is required, as are in-text citations, as needed. Failure to follow the formatting and MLA guidelines may reduce your grade.
