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Review

• We’ve read several poems so far. What’s your favorite poem and why? Provide specific examples from the poem.

Agenda

• 1. Presenters #1 and 2• 2. Discussion on Poetry Paper• 3. Exploring Point of View in “Dulce Et

Decorum Est” and “Death of a Ball Turret Gunner”

• 4. Presenters 3 & 4

“Dulce Et Decorum Est” (1920) by Wilfred Owen

• Directions: First, annotate the poem! See white board and handout on website for more info.

• Poetic Technique: POINT OF VIEW– What is the point of view (POV) presented in the

opening lines? What is the impact of that perspective on how we, as readers, react?

– Eventually the POV changes—where does it change? How can you tell? Is it clear where the change takes place? What is the impact of this change on our response to what the poem is telling us?

“Dulce Et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen

• Poetic Technique: POINT OF VIEW– At a certain point in the poem, the speaker begins

to address a real or imagined listener. In what line does this start? Why do you think the poet chose to include such an address in the poem? What is this part of the poem attempting to accomplish?

– Can you tell what the speaker thinks of his listener? If so, which words show his attitude?

“Dulce Et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen

• Poetic Technique: POINT OF VIEW– Is “Dulce Et Decorum Est” convincing? If so, what

makes it so? Choose one (or more) of the elements of poetry/poetic technique (rhythm, melody, imagery, or form) to explain your answer.

“Dulce Et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen

• Is this an anti-war poem? Why or why not? What textual evidence can you find to support your claim. Find specific lines, words, or phrases to use as evidence. Thesis: Owen’s poem is/is not an anti-war poem as evidenced by…

“Death of a Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell, 1914-1965

From my mother’s sleep I fell into the State,And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze.Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life,I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters.When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose.

“Death of a Ball Turret Gunner” by Randell Jarrell, 1914-1965

Poetic Technique: POV1. Is this poem’s POV more or less complex than

Owen’s poem? Does the POV change throughout the poem?

2. In the poem’s last line, to whom does the pronoun “they” refer? Why do you think the poet used a pronoun here instead of a noun to refer to this group of people?

3. Do you think Jarrell made the right choice regarding POV in this poem? Why?