ENG 3UI Unit 3 – Touchstones in Poetry Spring 2007
Jodi Rice (developed with Annette Chiu, 2006)
The “Lost Poems” Project
You have “discovered” (i.e. composed) a long-lost poem that clearly belongs to the canon of English Literature.
As a literary scholar, you have been set the task of identifying the era (and/or the poet, if possible).
Your job is to compare the style, structure, and content of the lost poem to what you know about that era through your general knowledge and research.
o The Periods: You will choose ONE of the periods below to research and to situate your poem (refer to your reading list and timeline to see which poets or types of poems fall under which period). There will be a maximum of five people / period (across both sections).
Medieval (pre-16th century)
Renaissance (16th C to early 17th C)
Reformation and Restoration (late 16th C to late 17th C)
Enlightenment / Neoclassical (early to late 18th C)
Early Romantic (late 18th C to early 19th C)
Late Romantic (early to mid 19th C)
Victorian (19th C)
War Poets (WWI)
o The Research and the Poem
Research your period (historical context, moral climate social climate, etc.), as well as important genres and styles during that period. Consider also what was happening in the world to make people appreciate or desire to read poetry of this sort – wars, religious conflict/developments, exploration, colonization, scientific discoveries, industry, etc.). You may wish to focus on the works of a particular poet who strongly represents that era.
The “lost poem” you compose will be 12-20 lines and will feature prominent characteristics of the period or poet you have chosen. If you choose a period earlier than modern English, you should compose your poem “in translation.”
Evaluation: knowledge and application of conventions of period/style
o The Justification
Because the plan is to anthologize the lost poems, you have been asked to summarize your findings, which will be used as introductory remarks for each poem. Incorporating your research and applying it to a close reading of your poem, justify your conclusions regarding the placement of your poem in the literary canon. Length: NO SHORTER than 1.5 pages, NO LONGER than 2 pgs, 1.5 spacing.
Evaluation: thoroughness and scope of research; ability to synthesize research and apply to analysis; use of Standard English and appropriate voice
o The Presentation
What would someone from that period say about this poem? Put yourself into the shoes (galoshes, tophat, scop hat, corset, or what have you – literally, for you must come in costume!) of a figure from this era and prepare an oral critique of the poem. Do you think the poem is representative of the times? Consider (but do not limit yourself to) such criteria as:
· aesthetics
· social concerns
· morality
· subject matter
Your critique, 5 minutes in length, should be an organic discussion, rather than a presentation of a “shopping list”. We have limited time, so you WILL be cut off if your presentation is too long!
Evaluation: clear, effective, organized and energetic oral communication of ideas; confidence with material