Daily Log

Wednesday, March 31
Following up on yesterday's prompt and response, we examined once again the curious fusion of personal and public in the poems of Walt Whitman. We then contrasted Whitman's public stance with the intensely private, introspective nature of Emily Dickinson's work.

HW due Friday:
Thesis statement and formal outline for the essay comparing Whitman's and Dickinson's treatment of the theme of death. To be typed.


Tuesday, March 30

Mr. P was out of class. Students watched the conclusion of the PBS Walt Whitman documentary, then briefly responded in writing to the following prompt:

"Speaking of Leaves of Grass, Karen Karbiener has said, Whitman 'really wanted this book to be written by the nation, for the nation.' In what ways does Whitman believe himself to embody or speak for of the nation as a whole?"

HW due Friday:
Thesis statement and formal outline for the essay comparing Whitman's and Dickinson's treatment of the theme of death. To be typed.