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CAN YOU SPIT IT? Beowulf's scop vs Aslan, Aladdin

From the moment we started reading Beowulf, we have seen some of the techniques used by the scop that must have originated in the original sung (recited) version of the poem: alliteration, kennings, repetition, musical accompaniment, etc. The British literary tradition is not the only literature that started as songs and vocal poetry. Many of the world’s cultures still practice vibrant oral traditions to entertain and inform. Performance poetry, such as the kind seen on Broadway (DefPoetry Jam) or Delaware's own twin poets, carries on this tradition in America today. And rap music born in the 1980s taps into historical African traditions to express American culture in a thoroughly original way, which is still advancing and morphing into this century.

Consider your favorite art expressed through voice: what did you listen to on the way into school this morning? How does your favorite artist express your culture, your heroes, your villains? Who do you believe will be considered a master 50 years from now? Choose an artist and a song and convince me that he/she will be remembered as the voice of our culture, just as the Beowulf scop is remembered. Use specific examples from the song to support your opinion; discuss genre, subject, themes, purpose and techniques to support your choice. Write at least 200 words or one text box on the blog’s comment page.  Appropriate language is required. Post by 9.26.11.

WHAT I'M READING NOW...

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I'm rereading this, and I am still boggled by the genius of it. I know some of my students may not appreciate the unfamiliar language and stilted style, though the concept is enough to keep anyone awake at night. To imagine the appearance of a photo (or painting) of oneself distorted by evil is true horror. First, I must admit to my sins, then list them and then assign a physical manifestation of each of them. Then I must paste them together  and the cumulative effect on my face will be screamingly disgusting. It makes one see the advantages to plastic surgery.
 The perpetrator of atrocities in the SAW movies has nothing on the nightmares a person can create for him or herself. Enjoy!

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NO MAN IS AN ISLAND, OR......?

We talked in class about Donne's idea that we are all connected, all part of the same life. High school students still have to read John Donne not only because his idea embraced his century's perspective on life, but also because in the 300 years since then, the Western world has wanted to see itself in the same way, that we belong to each other, that human nature is essentially good. Each of us must decide whether or not this is what our society is really all about. If you had to identify a quote or even write a catchy phrase to classify the 21st century's attitude towards our own value system, would "no man is an island" be accurate?
Or are we following a different plan--every man for himself, to each his own, love thy neighbor, the Golden Rule--these days? Think about this and classify YOUR century by reviewing details of current events, contemporary music, popular culture, media, entertainment choices, religions in the news, etc. Then choose a common slogan or quote to label this time--as a matter of fact, you can make one up. Explain your slogan and also tell me whether you identify with this cultural attitude or not. I can't wait to see whether you think man is invincible or totally devoid of kindness and compassion. Remember, I am paying attention to sentence structure, spelling, punctuation this quarter. Edit! Due at the end of class today.