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Poetry/Short Lit.

Poetry/Short Lit. All selections relate to a writer’s insights about the role of human beings as stewards of Earth. As you read each piece, ask yourself:. What is the relationship of human beings with the biophysical environment?

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Poetry/Short Lit.

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  1. Poetry/Short Lit. All selections relate to a writer’s insights about the role of human beings as stewards of Earth.

  2. As you read each piece, ask yourself: • What is the relationship of human beings with the biophysical environment? • Do the technological advances of the last few centuries constitute an improvement for humankind OR • Are the innovations of the Industrial Revolution and technological modernity a slowly unfolding global catastrophe?

  3. ROMANTICISM • Intro Video SONNETS • Usually associated with love/desire • Petrarchan/Italian: ABBA-ABBA-CDCDCD or • ABBA-ABBA-CDECDE • Shakespearean/English: ABAB-CDCD-EFEF-GG

  4. SPEAKER LYRIC POETRY • Speaker reveals thoughts/feelings about an intensely felt idea or experience • Not always the poet • However, the speaker in Wordsworth’s sonnets has very similar thoughts/beliefs to the poet.

  5. William Wordsworth • Wordsworth Bio • Two sonnets we will study: • “The World is Too Much With Us” • “Steamboats, Viaducts, and Railways” • Both have revealing titles

  6. “The World is Too Much With Us” • Italian sonnet form • TENSION!(Human behavior vs. Natural world) • Themes: • Humanity cheats itself by turning its back on nature. • Nature provides spiritual renewal.

  7. Poem Analysis • Line 1: • “the world” = humanity, humankind • We are too caught up in our concern for the limited/limiting ways of people. • “late and soon” = human failing, human urgency • Line 2: • “Getting and spending” = multiple meanings (reproductive and financial connotations), but definitely related to material/fiscal issues here

  8. Lines 5-9: • Soul-destroying numbness • We can’t be “moved” by nature because we have “[lain] waste our powers” • VOLTA/TURN begins in line 8 – “we are out of tune” but actually occurs in line 9. Can you find it?

  9. Line 9-10: • Wishes to be a Pagan because he can be closer to nature, but this is not his first choice. He will only be “less forlorn.” • Paganism = animate the natural world/divine presence • Exclamation = tension between Christian era and Pagan past.

  10. Line 13-14: • Lesser-known Greek gods are both associated with nature and the sea; shows intimate connection to nature

  11. “Steamboats, Viaducts, and Railways” • Written in 1833 (later in his life and at the start of the Victorian period); his ideas about the world had shifted. • Youthful rebelliousness conservative opinions • Yearning for communion with nature faith in civilization’s progress • Often wrote poems about life experiences with English landscape. (The Lake Poet) • This poem shows different side of WW.

  12. Modified Italian sonnet (switched up line 6 and 7 AND the last 6 lines’ rhyme scheme) • Used this sonnet to respond to the effects of the Industrial Revolution. • Sonnet form became “available” for use with multiple ideas/topics (not just love). • Theme: • The forms of human creation can sometimes be at odds with a poet’s aesthetics.

  13. Poem Analysis • Title is emblematic • Comparison: Auto industry transformed 20th Century America

  14. Line 1: • “Motions and Means” – manmade devices • In speaking to “them,” he is apostrophizing. • Lines 1-5 have pauses in the middle (caesuras) which reinforce the tensions between human invention and the study of art and beauty. This form reflects the theme. • Unusual capitalizations throughout (l. 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12) – why?

  15. Also discusses the importance of Time in bringing about understanding and appreciation for technological advances. • Everyone will come around! • Last word is “sublime,” which reflects his deep affinity for the aesthetics; awe-producing.

  16. Closing Question • Has technology become more of a help or a handicap for our society?

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