The Third Space: Ekphrasis, Confessional Poetry, and Mental Health

byKrista Baxter Waldron

Written for an image-oriented group of students who are mostly behind in grade level and literacy skills, this unit pairs art and poetry in the study of poems written about works of art, or ekphrastic poetry.  Students will learn or improve visual literacy skills, deep-reading skills, and poetry writing skills while they practice mature discussions around the three main strands of the unit: confessional poetry, ekphrastic poetry, and poets who struggle with depression and bi-polar disorder.  Robert Lowell, Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath are the three poets whose ekphrastic poems we will study.  The artists whose work is written about are Johannes Vermeer, Vincent van Gogh, and Georgio de Chirico, respectively. We’ll finish the unit by studying works of art—mostly by artists who have their own mental health struggles—and  writing our own ekphrastic poems.  In addition to the academic objectives of the unit, we want to honor and explore the struggle of these creative people.  In my student body, mental health issues are common and not often treated.  Because of the sensitive but relevant nature of the poets’ lives and their poems, this unit is intended for my more mature students in 11th and 12th grade.

(Developed for English III and IV, grade 11; recommended for English III, grade 11, English IV, grade 12, and Language Arts, grades 11-12)


Comments (1)

    Larry Gatewood (IU, Charlotte, NC)
    Subject taught: Languages
    This is such a brilliant idea
    So many of my language and communication students love engaging poetry. The small classroom size provides a unique opportunity to build authentic communication. I would love to learn more about this programme. The initial feedback I have received regarding similar programs has been phenomenal.

    Confessional poetry works well with individuals of all backgrounds, but especially those sensitive souls who have suffered trauma.

    I look forward to hearing from a representative. Thank you for making this a reality.

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