Rationale
Passing the AP Literature and Composition exam is largely based on a student's ability to interpret poetry. Students are presented with poems that are often difficult due to their archaic language and tricky syntactical patterns. Also, the time constraint of the exam adds extra pressure, and students often give up on making a solid effort to perform well on the poetry sections. Basically, if presented with a poem that is not simplistic in language and theme, students shut down. They need to learn how to relate to the poem, to find a connection between themselves and the language, no matter the time period or subject matter.
The focus of this unit is multi-faceted. First, I begin with a study of the major characteristics of the Romantic Age, providing for students a general idea of what was happening socially and politically during the time period of Blake's poems selected for study. This helps students better understand the poet's purpose. Second, I present students with a list of poetry vocabulary terms. While I initially have them define the terms and provide textual examples of each, I do not believe it is imperative that they perform a rote memorization of these terms. It is more important that they learn to identify specific terms within a piece of poetry and begin to understand how the poet projects his ideas through the use of metaphor, assonance, or paradox, for example. I most often only focus on two or three terms per poem, so as not to overwhelm students. I might then suggest a question that asks how a particular device allows the poet to express an idea. Furthermore, I always encourage students to identify any other poetic term that they think helps link a poetic device to meaning. Students must learn ways in which to identify literary tools on the AP Literature and Composition Exam. Third, I provide a brief biography of William Blake. I want students to embrace Blake and his time period fully in order to see the genius of the man who painted his ideas.
While this unit is designed for my AP Literature and Composition students in their senior year of high school, it is easily adaptable for any British Literature class or for a study in poetry of the Romantic Age. There is much to be discovered about the social and historical value of Blake's poetry, as well as a multitude of ways to connect his poetry and illustrations to contemporary times. His works are an excellent gateway into the study of Romantic, pre-20 th century British poetry specifically, but also any poetry analysis generally.
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