O Captain, My Captain!

Daily Update Today was movie day in class. We watched clips from two films: Freedom Writers and Dead Poet's Society, both of which show groups of high school students from very different backgrounds and how they use poetry and writing to negotiate their feelings of hopelessness in life. While the students from Freedom Writers are certainly from a far more dangerous, at-risk situation, both films show the potentially transforming power of literature, writing, and thinking. My point in showing these film clips was to encourage you to think about your own relationship with the written world. Literature can be affirming and enriching, but if you feel no connection to it, then studying literature is little more than drudgery. Look for a way in to the poetry you're studying write now. Find a way to be inspired or moved by these poems. Work to find personal meaning in the poetry, to revel in the language. The more these poems mean to you, the easier it'll be to write about them--and the stronger your writing will be. Homework Update Your first draft of Essay 3 is due on Friday. Remember to bring THREE copies of your essay! I'll send you away to make copies if you only bring one. Also, for the love of all that is good, STAPLE your drafts!