Friday, November 20, 2009

Assignment for Monday

Write a five paragraph essay about the meaning of the last three lines in "A Good Man is Hard to Find" by Flannery O'Connor. If you need it here is the text. http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~surette/goodman.html

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Romanticism

We are about to begin to learn about romanticism. William Wordsworth is the poet of romanticism. Read over these two poems and be prepared to discuss them in class on Thursday. You can read about his life and work here.
Have a good day off.
-Grudem

The Kitten and the Falling Leaves

See the kitten on the wall, sporting with the leaves that fall,
Withered leaves—one—two—and three, from the lofty elder-tree!
Through the calm and frosty air, of this morning bright and fair . . .
—But the kitten, how she starts; Crouches, stretches, paws, and darts!

First at one, and then its fellow, just as light and just as yellow;
There are many now—now one—now they stop and there are none;
What intenseness of desire, in her upward eye of fire!

With a tiger-leap half way, now she meets the coming prey,
Lets it go as fast, and then, has it in her power again:
Now she works with three or four, like an Indian Conjuror;
Quick as he in feats of art, far beyond in joy of heart.



Surprised by Joy

Surprised by joy—impatient as the Wind
I turned to share the transport—Oh! with whom
But Thee, deep buried in the silent tomb,
That spot which no vicissitude can find?
Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind—
But how could I forget thee? Through what power,
Even for the least division of an hour,
Have I been so beguiled as to be blind
To my most grievous loss?—That thought's return
Was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore,
Save one, one only, when I stood forlorn,
Knowing my heart's best treasure was no more;
That neither present time, nor years unborn
Could to my sight that heavenly face restore.