Poetry Analysis
Continuing Poetry: Introducing Context to Analysis
In-Class Ink-Sheds
Definition: Ink-sheds are low-stakes opportunities for students to engage in free writing during class.
Grading: In-class submissions are credited; however, they are not marked or returned.
Requirements for Submission: Students must include their name and date on submissions.
Free Writing Purpose: Writing freely allows students to express thoughts about course materials without the pressure of perfect spelling or grammar.
Benefits: These activities help the instructor gauge student understanding and provide a platform for students to narrativize their own thoughts.
Ink-Shed #1, Jan. 21st: “The Forsaken” by D.C. Scott
Type of Poem: Narrative poem characterized by a clear story, plot, and characters.
Tasks for Students:
Summarize the plot of “The Forsaken” in 2-3 sentences.
Identify Scott’s characters and analyze how his diction impacts readers’ perception of the mother and son.
From Form and Voice to Context
Focus of Previous Classes: Close readings of poems emphasizing the interplay of form and voice in meaning creation.
Radical Nature of Poems Discussed:
Shakespeare's “Sonnet 18” and “Sonnet 130” criticize the exaggerated comparisons typical of Petrarchan sonnets.
Browning’s use of dramatic monologue exposes the mindset of a dangerously possessive man.
Hardy’s dramatic verse critiques societal hypocrisy regarding women's issues.
Considering Context Alongside Form and Voice
Crucial Understanding: Poetry may not inherently convey ethical or moral messages.
Caution: It's a misconception that poetry only appeals to socially-conscious individuals; all media can be misused for negative agendas.
Context Importance: Context is vital for interpreting the content of poems, particularly in regard to their ethical implications.
Language in “The Forsaken”
Notable Vocabulary: The poem includes the Cree word “tikanagan” (line 22), meaning cradleboard.
Clarifying Terms: Students are encouraged to identify and clarify any additional difficult terms.
Imagery and Themes in “The Forsaken”
Stanza Imagery: The first stanza features an Indigenous mother who, during a winter storm with her baby, sacrifices part of her own flesh to catch fish for sustenance. She eventually seeks refuge in a colonial fort.
Capitalization Significance: Noteworthy capitalization of “God” (line 92) is intentional, indicating thematic importance.
Heroism Depiction: Scott portrays the mother with descriptors like “valiant” and “unshaken” (lines 32, 39, 70) to underline her bravery against the backdrop of negative portrayal of her son.
Critical Passage Analysis
Excerpt Analysis:
The poem’s narrative reveals a moment of abandonment where her son leaves her without farewells (lines 54-68).
Descriptions emphasize her aging and perceived uselessness, likened to a broken paddle or splintered pole.
D.C. Scott Background (1862-1947)
Career Milestones:
1879: Joins Canada's Department of Indian Affairs at 17 as a clerk.
1905-1906: Serves as a commissioner for Treaty 9 in Northern Ontario.
1905: Publishes “The Forsaken” in Via Borealis.
1913: Becomes Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs.
1920: Proposes an amendment to the Indian Act making Residential School attendance compulsory.
D.C. Scott and Indigenous Policies
Forced Assimilation: Scott's role spans advocacy for the forcible assimilation of First Nations in Canada and implementation of the Residential School system.
Controversial Speech: In 1920, Scott openly stated intentions to eradicate the Indian problem through absorption into society, aiming for a situation with no distinct Indigenous identity or governance.
Ideology of Social Darwinism
Definition: Social Darwinism applies Darwin’s natural selection theory to human societies, suggesting success favors the socially adept and powerful.
Quote: Walther (2023) describes it as encouraging the idea of eliminating the 'weak' for the greater good of the species.
Examples:
Capitalism as a competitive market where businesses succeed or fail based on ability.
Imperialism highlighting the conquest of weaker nations by stronger ones.
Eugenics advocating for the propagation of desirable genetic traits while eliminating undesirable ones.
The Vanishing Race Myth
Narrative Impact: Scott's depiction of Indigenous communities as incapable of self-support fosters the belief of a naturally collapsing society.
Cultural Erasure: The assumption that Indigenous cultures are destined to fade away ignores the impact of deliberate policies targeting their existence.
Voice in “The Forsaken”
Narrative Perspective: The third-person point of view offers a seemingly unbiased narration. It observes rather than participates in the unfolding events.
Perspective Dynamics: The voice subtly shifts from distanced observation to an intimate grasp of the woman's plight.
Form of “The Forsaken”
Form Exploration: Students are prompted to consider the poem’s structural elements and their implications.
Upcoming Poetry Midterm
Exam Date: February 2nd, worth 15% of course grade.
Format:
Foundational Knowledge: Multiple choice questions based on lecture content and assigned poems.
Analyzing Poetry: Analysis of two unfamiliar poems, requiring identification of form, voice, and their collaborative meaning-making.
Al Purdy's “At the Quinte Hotel” (1968)
Reputation: Often regarded as the “Most Canadian Poet,” part of a cohort of influential poets with working-class roots.
Personal Background: Little formal education, diverse manual labor experience, and a WWII veteran.
Evolution of Purdy's Poetry
Initial Work: Traditional lyric forms characterized Purdy's early poetry.
Shift in Style: Moved towards a more colloquial and relaxed form, integrating humor and anger, culminating in characteristic style evident in “At the Quinte Hotel”.
Describing Purdy’s Poetic Voice
Colloquial: Language resembles everyday speech; less formal and academic.
Garrulous: Indicative of excessive talkativeness, particularly on trivial subjects.
Examination of “At the Quinte Hotel”
Discussion Points:
Exploration of Purdy's challenges to conventional notions of poetry within the work.
Analysis of the poem’s subject matter and underlying themes.
Blank Verse vs Free Verse
Blank Verse Characteristics: Unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter that mimic natural speech; forms a subtle rhythm.
Identification Test: Absence of end rhyme with consistent syllable counts suggests a blank verse classification.
Free Verse Characteristics
Definition: Free from strict metrical constraints, form determined by the poet’s communicative intentions.
Identification Test: Lack of rhyme scheme with varied syllable counts indicates free verse.
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols
Definitions:
Theme: Overall message or idea of a text; may encompass multiple themes.
Motif: Recurrent element that reinforces themes.
Symbol: Representational object or concept that transcends literal meaning.
Analysis of Themes in Purdy’s Work
Significant Theme: “At the Quinte Hotel” questions the purpose of poetry and who it serves.
Motific Element: The speaker’s self-identification as a “sensitive man” raises questions about perceived sensitivity in relation to the poem's deeper messages.
Further Symbolism in “At The Quinte Hotel”
Symbolic Interpretation: The mention of “flower poems” reflects broader meanings beyond literal interpretation, associated with deeper emotional or aesthetic critiques within the poem's context.
Methodology in Literary Studies
Foundation: Marrying detailed close readings with academic resources to enhance understanding.
Evolution of Analysis: From textual evidence to theoretical discussions, developers focus on sound arguments built on evidence from the text itself.
Context and Analysis Interplay
Importance of Context: Contextual background is necessary for layered understanding, but it should not overshadow textual analysis.
Analytical Focus: Emphasis on voice and form is prioritized over memorization of authorial facts or historical details.