Questiоn 7 – Whitmаn аnd Dickinsоn: Vоices of the Individuаl Choose one of the following prompts to respond to. Your response should reflect close reading, interpretation, and personal insight into the poetry and philosophies of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. Option A – Understanding (Poetic Identity):Compare how Whitman and Dickinson portray the self in their poetry. What do their poetic voices suggest about individuality, mortality, or truth? Use at least one poem from each poet to support your ideas. Option B – Analyzing (Form & Function):Whitman’s sweeping lines and Dickinson’s compressed verses represent radically different styles. How do these forms reflect their views of the world—or their place in it? Choose one poem by each writer and analyze how the structure contributes to meaning. Option C – Creating (Poetic Interpretation):Imagine a new verse for "Song of Myself" or a new poem in Dickinson’s voice, written in response to a modern issue like climate change, isolation, or AI. Use the poet’s tone, diction, and style to craft your piece, and include a short explanation of how it connects to the original poet’s themes.
Questiоn 2 – Vоices оf Resistаnce: Equiаno, Wheаtley, Jacobs, Douglass Choose one of the following prompts to respond to. Your answer should demonstrate engagement with the specific author you studied and make meaningful connections across the course themes. Option A – Understanding (Empathy & Reflection):Reflect on how the voice of your assigned author (Equiano, Wheatley, Jacobs, or Douglass) reveals the lived experience of slavery or resistance. What moment or passage stood out to you most, and why? How did it shape your understanding of American identity or ideals? Option B – Analyzing (Literary & Historical Comparison):Compare your assigned author’s message or rhetorical strategy to either Jefferson or Amanda Gorman. How do their views align or differ when it comes to American ideals, justice, or freedom? Use specific examples to support your analysis. Option C – Creating (Modern Legacy):Imagine your assigned writer were alive today. What modern issue (social, political, cultural) would they write or speak about? Write a short speech, poem, or letter in their voice addressing that issue. You may reference a recent event, movement, or quote as inspiration.