- How does this foreword work in relation to the anthology of poetry that we're about to read?
- What does the opening (introduction) do? How does it relate to what comes after?
- He's got three sections in the foreword which he divides with asterisks (***). What purpose does ea. section serve?
- What questions did you have after reading the foreword? Do you feel better qualified to write your own?
Welcome to the blog for Prof. John Talbird's English 102 class. The purpose of this site is two-fold: 1) to continue the conversations we start in class (or to start conversations before we get to class) and 2) to practice our writing, reading, and thinking on a weekly basis in an informal setting.
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ReplyDeleteI don't got question abouth his forward but I think I will be able to do good job on my forward but using his forward as example how to write one will differently help me to do well.
ReplyDeleteQuestion #1: This foreword serves as a great introduction as to the expectations when reading it. In my opinion, it was a great idea to talk about the guest editors of the book and to provide a short synopsis of their background as it relates to their writings. To inform readers that poetry is not dead, that there are still many people writing poetry, and that there are not may poetry lovers as in the past serves to motivate the reader to read more poems and possibly write poems if that is their desire. To talk about poets who write poems are on a particular issue opens up one’s mind to do the same. It’s also helpful that some history about the books guest editor and other great poets like Wlbur and Ashery is presented.
ReplyDeleteQuestion #2: At first, David Lehman wanted to decline being the editor of the 2018 edition of The Best American Poetry. He thought it would be impossible, but his curiosity in delving into new poetry and into the work of the newer generation motivated him into accepting the offer. He read thousands of poems in order to include a variety of poems, long and short poems, lyrics, narratives, visions, prayers, protests, and poems that showed a deep personal response. The poems represented in this book that I’ve read thus far covers a variety of poem types from love poems to stories and other types. I am anxious to see the various styles that today’s poets utilize.
Question 3:The first section provides some background information on the formal guest editors of the book. This background information relates to their journey to becoming poetry editors not only with The Best American Poetry Book but in other journals and magazines. It shows to that their lives, passion for poetry, and their writings can lead to other opportunities or than the poetry environment. The second section of the forward provides the reader with the relationship that exists between the guest editor and David Lehman, the series editor. It is helpful to know these relationship as it helps the reader to understand more about how the book materialized. The last section is helpful to in that it shows the reader that there were great writers of poetry who had great accomplishments, and whose great workers can know influence the upcoming poet.
Question #4: After reading the foreword, I have developed and inquisitiveness to wanting to read more about poetry, not necessarily this book but any book of poetry. I would have liked to ask the authors and poets when in their lives did, they become interested in writing poems and if they had to be experts in writing to do such. Also, to, how did they derive their style of writing. The introduction talks about poetry decline and poetry uprising. The existence of poetry in written form is now coexisting with poetry in spoken form as a result of technological change. The culture of poetry exists in live readings on radio, television and internet, like YouTube. Poetry is now presented in what’s poetry slam and can now reach thousands more individuals. Written poetry still exists but young people are more involved with the beat, rhyme, and the word play of hip-hop. Poets now regularly appear on television, in movies and so the audience hears poetry on a regular basis. Poetry is not dead. Even though the universities are not providing poets a secure place as in the past. Poets do not depend on academia as much as in the past. Today, poets are employed outside academia, doesn’t even need a degree, and can still be part of the culture.
This is my first "Best American Poetry" hopefully won't be my last. Lehman's introduction is wonderful and useful from guest editor Dana Gioia. This collection, as Gioia mentions. Contains wide variety of poetry: prose, poetry sonnets, free verse. While I was reading some poems I can definetly say I liked some better than others :) but so far I was very impressed with the variety of styles and subjects matter presented in this volume. It's fantastic teaching resource .
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