I'm still here, is anyone else?

Just looked at this blog...boy it has been ages! I was wondering if there were an old students out there....

Negative Capability

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Here's an ezine on Negative Capability

Stuff to Do for Wednesday

1.  For class:
Bring in a poem (or section of a poem) by Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, Byron, or Shelley, that appeals to you--and be prepared to say why.  Don't hesitate to post your poem on the blog as well!
2.  For your blog:
Post one interesting biographical fact or quote from a Romantic poet on your blog
Write about one aspect of your conversation today that you found particularly interesting.  What were important ideas that you left undiscussed?

Spring Break is almost over....

and it has really felt like Spring. It is a weird experience to read Jane Eyre again this week, since the "atmosphere" of the novel is so bleak compared to the beautiful sunshine we have been having lately.  Reflecting back to the coffeehouse that we had prior to break on "Chick Lit" I have to say that Bronte's version of a novel for a female readership seems radically different from the items that we talked about that day.  Jane is such an idiosyncratic character, and although she is sensitive, there is nothing "romantic" about her character, and certainly nothing that feels sentimental.  Clearly the stakes were higher at that time, and I think Bronte knew it.  Do you agree?  In what way does Jane feel like a character written for women?

Something to think (and write) about....

What do you think of the narrator of the story of Oroonoko? Is she trying to convey a message or specific agenda? If so, what, and how does she do so?

Coffeehouse Friday

Don't forget we are having a coffeehouse on Friday, and you should bring in something that really makes you angry--preferably from a newspaper, periodical, the web, etc.

I'll bring the java!

Commonplace Assignment for Wednesday 2/10

Think of (or find!) a real idea or proposal that seems as ridiculous as Swift's "Modest Proposal" and discuss why you chose it. Do you think that it is possible that anyone in Swift's time could or would have taken his proposal seriously? Why/Why not?