Bell Work Get out one piece of paper Write a quick summary about what Walt Whitman’s Preface to Leaves of Grass is about.  What was he writing about?  How did he feel about his subject? Once you are finished, draw a line under the Bell Work. We will continue today’s work on this piece of paper.

The “Game Plan” for today… Previously: Covered the preface to Leaves of Grass  What was it about? Today: I Hear America Singing  Read over the poem “I Hear America Singing”  Be able to recognize how Whitman feels about America in the mid 1800’s  Read a few poems that challenge Whitman’s message  Write your own “I Hear America ___ing” and focus on today’s America. Is it still the same as Whitman described?

WALT WHITMAN YOU WILL NEED A LITERATURE BOOK! I Hear America Singing (Literature Book: Page 442)

The “Game Plan” for today… Previously: Discussed Walt Whitman  What was his feeling towards America? Today: I Hear America Singing  Read over the poem “I Hear America Singing”  Be able to recognize how Whitman feels about America in the mid 1800’s  Read a few poems that challenge Whitman’s message  Write your own “I Hear America ___ing” and focus on today’s America. Is it still the same as Whitman described?

What is “America” to you? Write down a few of the items that we discuss right now… Sports? Jobs? Living quarters? Cars? Schools? Vacations? War? Politics? Fashion? Anything else?

So…what is this poem about? This poem celebrates Whitman’s joyous view of the strong American spirit. People distinguish themselves by their work, perform tasks that build the future, and demonstrates the enthusiasm of skill and purpose that makes each of them a vibrant contributor of the spirit of a proud nation.

Before we begin: What is Free Verse? (Add this to your Poetry Notes!) Does not have to rhyme There can be rhythm (similar sounds/beats), but it varies throughout the poem.  the words don't rhyme, they flow along their own uneven pattern.  Supposed to recreate natural speech A variety of poetic devices may be woven throughout the piece. Free verse can be compared to a song that doesn't rhyme. There is still a lyric quality to it. Without set rules, you are free to decide where to break your poem into stanzas. The poet makes up the rules for each poem! Whitman uses free verse often throughout many of his poems. Example: Running through a field of clover, Stop to pick a daffodil I play he loves me, loves me not, The daffy lies, it says he does not love me! Well, what use a daffy When Jimmy gives me roses? -- Flora Launa

I Hear America Singing (Literature Book: Page 442) I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deck- hand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The woodcutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

Vocabulary & Questions Vocabulary: Blithe: joyous Mason: a person who works with stones or bricks Hatter: a person who makes, sells or cleans hats Ploughboy: a boy who leads the animals that draw a plow (horse, cow, etc.) Robust: Strong and healthy Melodious: tuneful, musical Questions: 1) What occupations does Whitman apply to Americans? 2) What do these occupations suggest about his vision of America (HINT: is it still this way?)? 3) What word does Whitman use to describe all the worker’s actions? 4) In what way does this word affect the poem’s mood? 5) What are the workers doing at night? Why does Whitman have it end like this? 6) If Whitman were to write this poem today, do you think his message would be the same? Explain.

I, Too I, Too ~ Langston Hughes (Early 1900’s) I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes, Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” Then. Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed – I, too, am American 7) Describe how Langston Hughes challenges Whitman’s view of America. What does he see instead?

To Walt Whitman 8) Describe how Angela de Hoyos challenges Whitman’s view of America. What does she see instead? To Walt Whitman ~Angela de Hoyos (1970’s-1980’s) hey man, my brother world-poet prophet democratic here’s a guitar for you - A chicana guitar – so you can spill out a song for the open road big enough for my people -my Native Amerindian race that I can’t seem to find in your poems

What do YOU hear America doing? The I Hear Parody Assignment: Whitman describes Americans doing their job/duty as people “singing their song.” Now it’s your turn to give your idea on what makes Americans “American.” What do YOU hear America doing?

Class work/Homework Write a poem in which you start each stanza with a repeated “I hear America _____ing” (Laughing, dancing, crying, cursing, smiling, begging…) Follow that line each time with a minimum of three different specific images that SHOW the crying, smiling, etc. (like “the carpenter singing his as he measures his plank and beam”) Specifics: Due Friday! 3 stanzas (can have different verbs for each one/crying, laughing, praying, etc.) 3 images for each stanza subject (Remember: Free Verse!) Example: I hear America crying The homeless on street corners crying For change, a roof over their heads, anything I hear the children with no parents or family To just feel loved and cared for The sick and dying crying out for a doctor’s professional help and medicine I hear America crying The starving adults and kids crying For some food or something to drink I hear the many drug addicts crying For someone to reach out and help them All the innocent people sitting in prison or jail Crying for their freedom back