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Semester 2: American Literature
Poetry: Walt Whitman - Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking, Emily Dickinson - The Last Night That She Lived, The Soul Selects Her Own Society, Robert Frost - After Apple Picking, E.E. Cummings - Cambridge Ladies, Wallace Stevens - Anecdote of the Jar, Denis Levertov - Scenario, Thinking of EL Salvador, Robert Lowell - Skunk Hour, Sylvia Plath - Lady Lazarus, Anne Sexton - Wanting to Die, Adrienne Rich - Snapshots of a Daughter-in-law
Poetry and Poets of American Literature
Walt Whitman: Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking
Explores themes of loss, memory, and the interconnectedness of life and death. Whitman's use of free verse and vivid imagery captures the essence of nature and human emotion, embodying the spirit of transcendentalism.
Emily Dickinson: The Last Night That She Lived
Examines the thin line between life and death, and the inevitability of mortality. Dickinson's unique style, including slant rhyme and unconventional punctuation, enhances the emotional depth of the poem.
Emily Dickinson: The Soul Selects Her Own Society
Discusses the themes of isolation, choice, and the nature of companionship. Dickinson's introspective voice reflects her own life experiences and philosophical musings on connection.
Robert Frost: After Apple Picking
Interrelated themes of labor, nature, and reflection on life's accomplishments. Frost's use of rural imagery and symbolism represents the cyclical nature of life, portraying both satisfaction and contemplation.
E.E. Cummings: Cambridge Ladies
Critiques social norms and expectations through playful language and structure. Cummings's nonconformist style presents a juxtaposition of the mundane and the profound.
Wallace Stevens: Anecdote of the Jar
Investigates the relationship between human creativity and nature. Stevens uses the jar as a symbol of artistic order that contrasts with the vastness of the natural world.
Denis Levertov: Scenario
Focuses on political themes, particularly in relation to war and peace. Levertov's poignant imagery and language emphasize the impact of conflict on humanity.
Robert Lowell: Skunk Hour
Explores themes of personal crisis and societal disillusionment. Lowell's confessional style reflects inner turmoil against the backdrop of social issues.
Sylvia Plath: Lady Lazarus
Delves into themes of resurrection and identity. Plath's powerful voice captures suffering and resilience through a feminist lens.
Anne Sexton: Wanting to Die
Examines depression and the struggle for hope. Sexton's candid approach to mental illness provides a raw perspective on existential themes.
Adrienne Rich: Snapshots of a Daughter-in-law
Explores the complexities of gender roles and familial relationships. Rich's feminist perspective challenges traditional narratives, emphasizing women's experiences and dynamics in society.
Prose: Victor Hernandez Cruz - Today is a day of great joy, Amiri Baraka - An Agony as Now, Gwendolyn Brooks - Kitchenette Building, Joy Harjo - Remember, Emerson - The American Scholar, Amy Tan - Mother Tongue, Thoreau - Walden (Chapter Pond)
Prose in American Literature
Victor Hernandez Cruz - Today is a day of great joy
Victor Hernandez Cruz's work often reflects the joyful aspects of life intertwined with cultural identity. His poem captures moments of happiness and celebration, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging joy as a part of the human experience.
Amiri Baraka - An Agony as Now
Amiri Baraka's poem presents a deep exploration of personal and collective anguish. Baraka uses vivid imagery and emotional depth to convey feelings of tension in society, focusing on the struggles faced by marginalized communities.
Gwendolyn Brooks - Kitchenette Building
In Kitchenette Building, Gwendolyn Brooks offers a poignant look at the lives of residents in a Chicago apartment building. The poem addresses themes of aspiration versus reality, highlighting the dreams of individuals living in a constrained urban setting.
Joy Harjo - Remember
Joy Harjo's poem, Remember, serves as an invocation for remembrance. Harjo intertwines themes of nature, spirituality, and history, reminding readers of their connections to the past and the importance of memory in shaping identity.
Amy Tan - Mother Tongue
In Mother Tongue, Amy Tan discusses the complexities of language and identity. She reflects on her experiences as a Chinese American, exploring how language shapes culture and personal connections.
Henry David Thoreau - Walden (Chapter Pond)
In the chapter titled Pond from Walden, Thoreau reflects on nature and the simplicity of life. He emphasizes the beauty of the natural world and the importance of solitude for personal growth and understanding.
Drama: Arthur Miller - Death of a Salesman, Tennessee Williams - A Streetcar Named Desire, Marsha Norman - 'Night Mother, Ntozake Shange - For Colored Girls
American Literature
Arthur Miller - Death of a Salesman
Explores the American Dream and its disillusionment. Willy Loman embodies the struggle for success and the pressures of societal expectations. Miller critiques the idea of self-worth being tied to material success and societal validation.
Tennessee Williams - A Streetcar Named Desire
Focuses on human emotions, mental health, and the decline of Southern gentility. Blanche DuBois represents fragility and the impact of past trauma. The play delves into themes of desire, reality versus illusion, and the complexities of human relationships.
Marsha Norman - 'Night Mother
A powerful exploration of depression, autonomy, and the bond between mother and daughter. The play raises questions about life's purpose and the right to choose one's fate, examining the struggles of those in marginalized situations.
Ntozake Shange - For Colored Girls
A choreopoem that discusses the experiences of black women in America. Each character's story highlights themes of pain, resilience, love, and identity, creating a collective voice that addresses social injustices and personal struggles.
Fiction/Short Story: Edgar Allan Poe - The Cask of Amontillado, Herman Melville - Bartleby the Scrivener, N. Scott Momaday - The House Made of Dawn, Toni Morrison - Beloved, Kate Chopin - The Awakening
Edgar Allan Poe - The Cask of Amontillado
The Cask of Amontillado is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, published in 1846. It is renowned for its exploration of revenge and the dark side of human nature. The protagonist, Montresor, seeks vengeance against Fortunato, a wine connoisseur, through a ploy involving a rare wine called Amontillado. Set during Carnival in Italy, the story uses irony and foreshadowing to build tension. Key themes include betrayal, pride, and the consequences of revenge.
Herman Melville - Bartleby the Scrivener
Bartleby the Scrivener is a novella by Herman Melville that was published in 1853. The story unfolds in a law office in New York, where the narrator employs a scrivener named Bartleby. Bartleby ultimately refuses to perform tasks with the phrase 'I would prefer not to.' This enigmatic behavior leads to discussions on isolation, the nature of work, and the struggles of modern existence. The story raises questions about free will and societal expectations.
N. Scott Momaday - The House Made of Dawn
The House Made of Dawn, published in 1968, is a pivotal work in Native American literature by N. Scott Momaday. It tells the story of Abel, a young man returning to his Pueblo community after fighting in World War II. The novel explores themes of identity, cultural dislocation, and the connection to place. Momaday's lyrical style and use of symbolism highlight the importance of tradition and the struggle for self-identity amid modern challenges.
Toni Morrison - Beloved
Beloved, published in 1987, is a powerful novel by Toni Morrison that deals with the traumatic legacy of slavery. The story follows Sethe, an escaped slave, who is haunted by the ghost of her dead daughter. Themes of motherhood, memory, and the haunting past are central to the narrative. Morrison's use of magical realism and rich characterization creates an emotional depth that explores the psychological impacts of slavery on individuals and families.
Kate Chopin - The Awakening
The Awakening, published in 1899, is Kate Chopin's exploration of female identity and autonomy. The story follows Edna Pontellier, a woman in late 19th-century Louisiana, as she awakens to her desires and seeks independence. Through themes of self-discovery, societal expectations, and the constraints of marriage, Chopin addresses the struggles women face in asserting their identities. The narrative challenges the patriarchal norms of the time and serves as an early work of feminist literature.
Autobiography: Excerpts from Malcolm X, Hispanic Women Writing, Cherrie Moraga - Getting Home Alive
Autobiography: Excerpts from Malcolm X, Hispanic Women Writing, Cherrie Moraga - Getting Home Alive
Malcolm X and His Autobiography
Malcolm X's autobiography presents a powerful narrative of his life journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a prominent civil rights leader. It emphasizes themes of identity, racism, and empowerment. His reflections on personal transformation and advocacy for African American rights resonate deeply in American literature.
Hispanic Women Writers
Hispanic women writers provide a unique perspective on cultural identity, gender, and social issues. Their works often explore the intersection of race, gender, and class, shedding light on the experiences of Hispanic women in America. In particular, the narratives challenge stereotypes and highlight resilience.
Cherrie Moraga and Getting Home Alive
Cherrie Moraga's 'Getting Home Alive' combines personal and collective experiences of Chicana women. It focuses on themes of feminism, cultural identity, and the struggles against patriarchy. Moraga's work emphasizes the importance of community and the blending of personal history with broader social movements.
Intersections of Race and Gender
Both Malcolm X and Hispanic women writers like Moraga address the complexities of race and gender. They illuminate the struggles faced within their respective communities and challenge systemic inequalities. Their autobiographical narratives encourage readers to reflect on the broader implications of identity.
Literary Styles and Techniques
The autobiographical works of Malcolm X and Cherrie Moraga employ diverse literary styles, merging narrative with poetic elements. Their storytelling methods enhance emotional impact and engage readers in their lived experiences. The authenticity of their voices contributes to the richness of American literature.
