Discussion Forum 5

In this week's forum, you will discuss a poem by Emily Dickinson or a poem by Walt Whitman or a poem

or short story by Edgar Allan Poe.

Always keep in mind that depending on their "politics of location," different groups experienced early

American life differently. "Politics of location" refers to the ways we are defined socially -- gender, race,

class, sexuality, generation, where you are from, etc.

SUGGESTED PROMPTS:

1) Discuss the meaning of one poem by Emily Dickinson. Frequent themes for Dickinson are death and

whether there is life after death, women's real attitudes toward patriarchal marriage, and how she felt

about being a poet, etc. What do you see as the theme of the poem you discuss? Provide a supporting

quote with your explication.

2) Discuss the meaning of a section of "Song of Myself" or the meaning of one of the other shorter

poems. Do you see a connection between the meaning of the poem and a Transcendentalist belief? Does

the poem you discuss remind you of a statement made by Emerson?

3) In writing about his intent as a writer, Poe describes strategies he uses to create suspense or

apprehension in the reader. Discuss a specific example of something he does in "The Fall of the House of

Usher" or "The Tell-Tale Heart" to foreshadow or set you up for the conclusion of the story.

Remember to include a parenthetical citation with the line numbers after all quotes from a poem and

a parenthetical citation with the page numbers after all quotes from prose writings like stories or

essays.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS:

Each one of you is required to post two analytical observations about 1 or 2 of the

assigned readings. Each post should be a separate entry.

Your post should be at least 4 sentences in length. It should be clearly stated and must be supported by

a specific quote or example from the work you are discussing.