Rehtotic and poetics -2025-03-17T18:28:44.731Z

The class begins with a humorous anecdote about an older man in a kilt running across campus carrying a bag, possibly holding an instrument.
Introduction to the poem "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll, a nonsense poem that showcases the playful use of language.

Lewis Carroll is famous for writing "Alice in Wonderland."
The poem features whimsical language and made-up words, providing a fun yet challenging memorization experience due to its lack of familiar vocabulary.
The poem consists of several key lines:
- Opening Lines: "Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe."
- Advisory Lines: "Beware the Jabberwock, my son; the jaws that bite, the claws that catch."
- Heroic Actions: The main character takes on the Jabberwock with a sword, showcasing themes of bravery and adventure.
- Concluding Sentiment: The poem ends with a sense of joy at overcoming challenges.
Carroll’s use of structured meter (iambic tetrameter) adds to the poem's rhythm, demonstrating how sound can convey meaning.

The class transitions into discussions about the Romantic period, leading into the Victorian era.
The poem "Ulysses" by Alfred Lord Tennyson is introduced:
- Written in 1832, considered at the end of the Romantic era and transitioning towards Victorian themes.
- Tennyson (1809-1892) is a significant Victorian poet, emphasizing themes of adventure, the yearning for knowledge, and tension between duty and desire.

Structure: Composed of three stanzas and characterized as a dramatic monologue, with Ulysses reflecting on his life after his adventures.
Themes:
- Adventure vs. Stagnation: Ulysses feels restless with ruling Ithaca and seeks new experiences; he expresses dissatisfaction with mundane life and desires further exploration.
- Generational Conflict: Ulysses describes his son, Telemachus, who embodies patience and diligence, contrasting with Ulysses' yearning for excitement.
- Yarning for Knowledge: Ulysses’ desire extends beyond mortality and towards the pursuit of knowledge, demonstrated in lines such as wanting to "sail beyond the sunset."
Romanticism vs. Victorianism: The poem contains romantic elements of individualism and adventure, while also adhering to Victorian themes of duty and societal roles.

Discussion includes the Industrial Revolution and its cultural implications, including migration from rural to urban settings and technological advancements.
Impact of Darwin: Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" (1859) spurred significant philosophical and theological debates, leading to doubt in traditional religious beliefs.
Matthew Arnold's "Dover Beach": Published in 1867, it reflects the existential uncertainties of the era, contrasting the preceding Romantic exuberance and showcasing melancholy and a retreating faith.

Calm imagery of the sea but reflects a longing for lost faith and certainty.
The last stanza suggests maintaining truth and fidelity to each other as humanity struggles with external chaos.

Introduction to Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964) and her story "A Good Man is Hard to Find,"
- Written in 1953, the story features a road trip that evolves from comedy to tragedy, highlighting familial dysfunction and a haunting resolution.
- Key elements include exploration of morality, perception of good and evil, and the complexities of human interaction, all set against the backdrop of Southern American culture and values.

The lesson emphasizes the fluidity between literary movements and the evolving nature of poetry and prose, leading into O'Connor's work as a decisive turning point in 20th-century American literature.
Students are prompted to compare and discuss themes of tragedy versus comedy, character development, and their personal reactions after reading the assigned story.