English Agenda “Bitter Sweet Symphony” “Bitter Sweet Symphony” Quick-write - Quick-write - “America” Poetic Dialogue Brainstorm “America” Poetic Dialogue Brainstorm Modernism & The Harlem Renaissance Modernism & The Harlem Renaissance Claude McKay – Life Synopsis Claude McKay – Life Synopsis Claude McKay – “America” analysis Claude McKay – “America” analysis Comparison of the Engineering Process with the Literary Process Comparison of the Engineering Process with the Literary Process Iteration of Design Requirements to create a Sonnet Innovation Iteration of Design Requirements to create a Sonnet Innovation

Bittersweet Quick-write the bittersweet loves in life - the who or what you love that you struggle with, where the timing, velocity, and angle of the situation make it hard to hit the mark or target the bittersweet loves in life - the who or what you love that you struggle with, where the timing, velocity, and angle of the situation make it hard to hit the mark or target

“America” by Claude McKay Poetic Dialogue Poetic Dialogue Today you are going to participate in an unusual and creative brainstorming technique called poetic dialogue that was developed by The Writing Project from UC Irvine and California State University, Long Beach that encourages dialogue with authors. Today you are going to participate in an unusual and creative brainstorming technique called poetic dialogue that was developed by The Writing Project from UC Irvine and California State University, Long Beach that encourages dialogue with authors. You are going to dialogue and brainstorm You are going to dialogue and brainstorm with the poet about the problem with the poet about the problem he is presenting in his poem by he is presenting in his poem by writing lines of poetry in response writing lines of poetry in response as I read the poem line by line as I read the poem line by line in this power point. in this power point.

Poetic Dialogue Instructions As I read this poem, write down your own line of poetry in response to the line that was just read and shown in the power point. You will write down a line of response as I read the poem, writing your line before the next line is read. You will write a line for each line of the original poem. As I read this poem, write down your own line of poetry in response to the line that was just read and shown in the power point. You will write down a line of response as I read the poem, writing your line before the next line is read. You will write a line for each line of the original poem.

Engineering Brainstorming Review A process undertaken to solve a problem by rapidly generating a variety of possible solutions. A process undertaken to solve a problem by rapidly generating a variety of possible solutions. Rules Rules No criticism allowed No criticism allowed Work for quantity – free-flowing response Work for quantity – free-flowing response New ideas welcome New ideas welcome

“America” by Claude McKay Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth, And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth, Stealing my bread of life, I will confess Stealing my bread of life, I will confess I love this cultured hell that tests my youth! I love this cultured hell that tests my youth!

Her vigor flows like tides into my blood, Her vigor flows like tides into my blood, Giving me strength erect against her hate. Giving me strength erect against her hate. Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood. Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood. Yet as a rebel fronts a king in state, Yet as a rebel fronts a king in state, I stand within her walls with not a shred I stand within her walls with not a shred

Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer. Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer. Darkly I gaze into the days ahead, Darkly I gaze into the days ahead, And see her might and granite wonders there, And see her might and granite wonders there,

Beneath the touch of Time’s unerring hand, Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand. Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.

What picture did you form of the speaker? What picture did you form of the speaker? In lines 1-3, what treatment does the poet say he receives from America? What qualities of America cause the speaker to love the country anyway? In lines 1-3, what treatment does the poet say he receives from America? What qualities of America cause the speaker to love the country anyway? Who / what is personified? Who / what is personified? America America

How is America personified? How is America personified? Cruel, unjust, and powerful Cruel, unjust, and powerful List imagery. What does each convey? List imagery. What does each convey? A rebel with not “a shred A rebel with not “a shred of terror, malice, not a word of jeer” – What is the paradox in these lines? of terror, malice, not a word of jeer” – What is the paradox in these lines?

“America” by Claude McKay Who is the speaker of this poem? Who is the speaker of this poem? What is the diction? What is the mood & tone? What is the diction? What is the mood & tone? Is there any irony? Is there any irony? Is it verbal, dramatic, Is it verbal, dramatic, or situational? or situational? What is the rhyme scheme? What is the rhyme scheme? What is the rhythm? What is the rhythm? What type of poem is this? What type of poem is this?

“America” by Claude McKay Some sonnets were written in praise of what? Some sonnets were written in praise of what? Think of Shakespeare’s love sonnets. Think of Shakespeare’s love sonnets. What is subtle literary allusion / comparison? What is subtle literary allusion / comparison? An unattainable woman An unattainable woman Why is the irony Why is the irony of the theme? of the theme? What else is it? What else is it? Bitter satire Bitter satire

Literary Elements in “America” Subject / Theme – bittersweet love for America Subject / Theme – bittersweet love for America Metaphors Metaphors Symbols Symbols Paradox Paradox

Key Elements of Modernism WWI –loss of innocence & disillusionment with tradition WWI –loss of innocence & disillusionment with tradition in the aftermath of World War I 1. American Dream - Pursuit of a promise – admiration for the New Eden: a land of beauty, bounty, and unlimited promise. But the promise is tainted with disillusionment. 1. American Dream - Pursuit of a promise – admiration for the New Eden: a land of beauty, bounty, and unlimited promise. But the promise is tainted with disillusionment. 2. Optimism – hope - belief in progress – 2. Optimism – hope - belief in progress – 3. Importance & belief in the triumph 3. Importance & belief in the triumph of the self-reliant, independent individual of the self-reliant, independent individual New modernists echoing and New modernists echoing and challenging the American dream challenging the American dream New American renaissance which questioned New American renaissance which questioned the meaning & purpose of human existence the meaning & purpose of human existence

The Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance – great cultural movement of African American artists, writers, performers, & musicians A vibrant mecca of cultural inspiration & affirmation centered in Harlem, New York, after WWI Alain Locke insisted that African Americans be accepted as “ collaborators & participants in American civilization” - “I, too, sing America.” Focus on aspects of Black life, culture, & dialect Addressed issues of race, class, religion, & gender

Claude McKay Born in Sunny Ville, Jamaica, 1889 Son of peasant farmers who instilled pride in his African heritage Studied English poetry under his brother who was a schoolteacher At age seventeen - moved to Kingston - worked one year - encountered racism for the first time before returning to Sunny Ville Wrote and received an award from the Jamaican Institute of Arts and Sciences for Songs of Jamaica, and used the money to come to America. Came to America in 1912, eventually becoming a key figure and writer of the Harlem Renaissance, living abroad in Europe extensively throughout his career, as well as America.

“America” by Claude McKay How is the poem, “America” by Claude McKay, representative of Modernism and the Harlem Renaissance? How is the poem, “America” by Claude McKay, representative of Modernism and the Harlem Renaissance?

Engineering Design Requirements & Sonnet Design Requirements Specific, concise written information about the requirements that must be met in order to attain the intended outcome Specific, concise written information about the requirements that must be met in order to attain the intended outcome There are specific design requirements for your sonnet iteration. There are specific design requirements for your sonnet iteration. Design Specifications include: Design Specifications include: Criteria –Specific criteria unique to your sonnet is from Claude McKay’s sonnet on “America” and your launching a projectile project. Criteria –Specific criteria unique to your sonnet is from Claude McKay’s sonnet on “America” and your launching a projectile project. Constraints –The specific constraints are the Shakespearean sonnet form. Constraints –The specific constraints are the Shakespearean sonnet form. Must be specific and unambiguous - Sonnet content must be understandable. Must be specific and unambiguous - Sonnet content must be understandable. Client must be involved - your client, your audience, the class, will be involved. Client must be involved - your client, your audience, the class, will be involved.

Engineering Design Requirements & Sonnet Design Requirements Design Specification: Precise and explicit information about the requirements for a successful solution to a problem Sonnet Design Specification: Precise & detailed requirements from “America” for a successful solution Product (Technical) Specification: Explicit set of requirements that must be met in order for a product to operate as designed Sonnet Technical Specification: Explicit Shakespearean sonnet requirements

Engineering Concept Development & Sonnet Concept Development Define Problem: Design Specification Define Problem: Design Specification Claude McKay’s Shakespearean sonnet, “America,” defined the problem of bittersweet love with special identified specifications. Claude McKay’s Shakespearean sonnet, “America,” defined the problem of bittersweet love with special identified specifications. Generate Ideas: Brainstorm Generate Ideas: Brainstorm Class generated ideas in a brainstorm – poetic dialogue. Class generated ideas in a brainstorm – poetic dialogue. Research - published literature - Journals, conference proceedings, trade magazines, government reports, etc. Research - published literature - Journals, conference proceedings, trade magazines, government reports, etc. Class lesson provided research input – historical context. Class lesson provided research input – historical context. Develop Multiple Product Concepts Develop Multiple Product Concepts Class will each develop a product concept – a Shakespearean sonnet (the constraints) with specific criteria to develop multiple concepts, and then iterate, share, and choose the best concept. Class will each develop a product concept – a Shakespearean sonnet (the constraints) with specific criteria to develop multiple concepts, and then iterate, share, and choose the best concept.

Sonnet Design Requirements SUBJECT OF POEM - A BITTERSWEET LOVE SUBJECT OF POEM - A BITTERSWEET LOVE SHAKESPEAREAN SONNET DESIGN CONSTRAINTS SHAKESPEAREAN SONNET DESIGN CONSTRAINTS 14 LINES 14 LINES IAMBIC PENTAMETER = IAMBIC PENTAMETER = 10 SYLLABLES OR, IN OTHER WORDS, 10 SYLLABLES OR, IN OTHER WORDS, THERE ARE 5 FEET OF IAMBIC - UNSTRESSED/STRESSED SYLLABLE PAIRS - THERE ARE 5 FEET OF IAMBIC - UNSTRESSED/STRESSED SYLLABLE PAIRS - DA-DUH, DA-DUH, DA-DUH, DA-DUH, DA-DUH DA-DUH, DA-DUH, DA-DUH, DA-DUH, DA-DUH RHYME SCHEME – RHYME SCHEME – ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG ENDING COUPLET (GG) ENDING COUPLET (GG) SHOULD HAVE AN IRONIC TWIST. SHOULD HAVE AN IRONIC TWIST.

Sonnet Design Requirements SONNET DESIGN CRITERIA SONNET DESIGN CRITERIA SUBJECT - A BITTERSWEET LOVE SUBJECT - A BITTERSWEET LOVE POEM MUST HAVE A METAPHOR. POEM MUST HAVE A METAPHOR. POEM MUST HAVE A SYMBOL. POEM MUST HAVE A SYMBOL. POEM MUST HAVE A PARADOX. POEM MUST HAVE A PARADOX. POEM MUST USE THE CONCEPTS OF POEM MUST USE THE CONCEPTS OF VELOCITY, TIME, AND ANGLE AND VELOCITY, TIME, AND ANGLE AND EXPLAIN HOW THEY EXPLAIN HOW THEY WORK FOR OR AGAINST THE WORK FOR OR AGAINST THE TARGET OF THE BITTERSWEET LOVE. TARGET OF THE BITTERSWEET LOVE. POEM MUST HAVE AN ILLUSTRATION. POEM MUST HAVE AN ILLUSTRATION. FOR A BONUS – FOR A BONUS – POEM MAY ALSO INCLUDE SATIRE. POEM MAY ALSO INCLUDE SATIRE.

Additional Requirements ALSO, TURN IN ORIGINAL - HANDWRITTEN WORK. ALSO, TURN IN ORIGINAL - HANDWRITTEN WORK. HIGHLIGHT GREEK MYTHOLOGICAL ALLUSION AND EXPLAIN IN A KEY BELOW THE POEM. HIGHLIGHT GREEK MYTHOLOGICAL ALLUSION AND EXPLAIN IN A KEY BELOW THE POEM. HIGHLIGHT THE METAPHOR AND EXPLIAN IN A KEY BELOW THE POEM. HIGHLIGHT THE METAPHOR AND EXPLIAN IN A KEY BELOW THE POEM. HIGHLIGHT THE SYMBOL AND EXPLAIN IN A KEY BELOW THE POEM. HIGHLIGHT THE SYMBOL AND EXPLAIN IN A KEY BELOW THE POEM. HIGHLIGHT THE PARADOX AND EXPLAIN BELOW IN A KEY BELOW THE POEM. HIGHLIGHT THE PARADOX AND EXPLAIN BELOW IN A KEY BELOW THE POEM. HIGHLIGHT WHERE VELOCITY, TIME, AND ANGLE WORK FOR OR AGAINST THE TARGET OF THE BITTERSWEET LOVE AND EXPLAIN IN A KEY BELOW THE POEM. HIGHLIGHT WHERE VELOCITY, TIME, AND ANGLE WORK FOR OR AGAINST THE TARGET OF THE BITTERSWEET LOVE AND EXPLAIN IN A KEY BELOW THE POEM. IF POEM INCLUDES SATIRE, EXPLAIN IN A KEY BELOW THE POEM. IF POEM INCLUDES SATIRE, EXPLAIN IN A KEY BELOW THE POEM.