Paper #3: The Abstract

 

Your next assignment is in two parts: Paper #3 (Abstract) and Paper #4 (Allegory). I’ll talk more about Paper #4 in a few weeks. But here’s a hint: writing Paper #3 will give you everything you need to write Paper #4. That’s why I’m calling it an “abstract,” since an abstract is usually a summary or statement of a given work. I’m basically making you think about the conversation which will inform your final paper.

THE ABSTRACT: From our book Songs for the Open Road, I want you to find 2-3 poems that seem to use the same general or specific metaphor. Don’t just write about poems that talk about death, or time, etc., but a specific way they talk about time. For example, both “The Sacred” (p.12) and “Pennsylvania Station” (p.38) talk about cars and train stations as churches. The poets describe each one in terms of something holy, which helps people go on pilgrimages to find themselves and attain peace. Discuss how your poems translate these metaphors into a real experience of life. Don’t just summarize them; help us see the way each poem uses specific words, images, and ideas to alter our perspective through the metaphor. ALSO, explain why you find this metaphor meaningful…how do you relate to this metaphorical concept?

OR, you can use 2-3 poems and songs from anywhere in the world, as long as they develop the same general metaphor and you can clearly show this connection. Using our book is easier, since the poems are all there, and we’re going to discuss the majority of them. But if you have other poems or songs that are meaningful to you, and that you feel can better contribute to this assignment, be my guest.

Remember, the more you analyze these poems and understand how they develop their shared metaphor, the easier Paper #4 will be to write! (hint, hint).

REQUIREMENTS:

• No page limit, as long as you write something meaningful
• Find 2-3 poems or songs that share a similar metaphor or theme
• Discuss the metaphor/theme clearly in your paper: don’t just say “these two poems both talk about death in different ways.”
• Explain why this metaphor is meaningful to you and your experience

ABSTRACT DUE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11^th BY 5pm [no class that day]