Creative Writing-Emily Dickinson, Whitman, Hughes, Emerson

• In “Hope is the thing with feathers.” the author used a metaphor to compare the emotion of hope to a bird. Name other emotions, such as joy, fear, sorrow, love, hate, and curiosity. Then, write a poem of at least two stanzas about one of these emotions, using a metaphor as the first line of the poem. Use this as an example: Love is a roller coaster, or School is a Roller Coaster.

Using the line I Hear America Singing or A Nation's Strength, write a creative poem about what makes a student strong, or a school strong, or what do you hear singing in America's future? What are the kids singing? Base it off the poem, I Hear America Singing.

• Reread the poem “Dream Deferred.” Then, discuss how the speaker feels about not being able to achieve a dream.

• Finally, in small groups, discuss a dream you and your partner might have for your school and a dream you and your partner might have for your city or town. Make a list of at least one dream for your school and one dream for your city, and talk about ways to achieve these dreams.

Discuss in small groups: How are the central themes of “I Hear America Singing” and “A Nation’s Strength” alike? Use examples from both poems to support your answer.

In I hear America Singing, how do the images in the poem contribute to the overall theme? Cite at least two pieces of specific evidence from the text in your response.

Walt Whitman has been called the father of the free verse. What effect does this poetic form have on the poem overall?

2. PART A: In the final line, what does the phrase "Singing with open mouths" suggest about what it means to be American?

• 1. that they are diverse, open-minded, tolerant people

  2. that they want to be heard

• 1. that they are generous and benevolent people

• 1. that they are bold and proud people

2. PART B: Which phrase provides the best support for the answer to Part A?

• 1. "varied carols"

• 1. "blithe and strong"

• 1. "what belongs to him or her and to none else"

• 1. "delicious singing of the mother"

Why is it significant that Walt Whitman discusses the mechanic, carpenter, mason, and boatman? What is his point?

2. Consider other perspectives: how might the American experience depicted in this poem differ from that of immigrants, or of African-Americans (remember, slavery was abolished in 1865 – 5 years after this poem was published)?

How do all the poems in this lesson relate to the theme of the many forms of poetry?