Monday & Tuesday; May 4 & 5

Important note:

We are having our test over "Raisin in the Sun" on Thursday for B days, and Friday for A days.


We did the next page of the grammar packet in class. It dealt with misplaced modifiers.

On page 577 of the textbook, we read "Now and Then, America" by Pat Mora. We did practice on MLA heading, writing a first paragraph summary of the literal events of the poem. This summary for this poem should be probably one sentence long. We do this to give the reader context for the paper and to give groundwork so both reader and writer of the paper have a common starting point for discussion. As a teacher, it also gives me a quick grasp of what the writer does and does not understand. Literal comprehension is the starting point for inferential comprehension.The first sentence of this summary should include the title and author.

The next paragraph about the poem would be about theme.A theme is a statement. It is different than a topic. For example, "snakes" is a topic. "Snakes are beneficial to human existence" is a statement of theme. The topic sentence for this paragraph is the statement of theme. Then we need to add evidence by quoting words or phrases from the actual text. The two sentences that follow this evidence should be explanation and exploration. Explain how the evidence proves the topic sentence. Then explore what this claim adds to the poem as a whole.

The third paragraph talks about author's skill. For example, "The poet Pat Mora uses strong metaphor to enhance the concept of individuality." Use evidence, explain, and explore. What effect does this skill have on the entire poem. Types of author's skills include use of the following: rhyme, rhythm, allusion, description, simile, metaphor, imagery, alliteration, symbols and word choice.

The one paragraph we are not using today is one on connections. This would be how the theme of this poem connects to you. That connection can be with your life, your family, another poem or song, or a movie. This connection is your choice. Just make it meaningful.

Now and Then, America
Pat Mora

Who wants to rot
beneath dry, winter grass
in a numbered grave
in a numbered row
in a section labeled Eternal Peace
with neighbors plagued
by limp, plastic roses
springing from their toes?
Grant me a little life now and then, America.

Who wants to rot
as she marches through life
in a pinstriped suit
neck chained in a soft, silk bow
in step, in style, insane.
Let me in
to boardrooms wearing hot
colors, my hair long and free,
maybe speaking Spanish.
Risk my difference, my surprises.
Grant me a little life, America.

And when I die, plant zempasúchitl,
flowers of the dead, and at my head
plant organ cactus, green fleshy
fingers sprouting, like in Oaxaca.
Let desert creatures hide
in the orange blooms.
Let birds nest in the cactus stems.
Let me go knowing life
flower and song
will continue right above my bones.


Then we did the same task jigsaw style with "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson.

Richard Cory
Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
'Good-morning,' and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich - yes, richer than a king -
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.

So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.



After reading the poem, listen to a song written by Paul Simon, based on this poem. See if you notice any differences in the meaning or mood of the song as compared to the poem.