English 1B Spring 2014 Essay 1 Writing about Literature (The Play) This is the first essay in a series of two on dramatic literature

Instructions

          Write a 3-4 page essay exploring one of these topics. Use evidence from the play and Walt Whitman’s poem to flush out your thesis, which should be clearly stated. Use free paraphrases (1-2), long or block quotes (1) and shorter direct quotes (1-2) to support your claims. Include a works cited page at the end of the essay and for any supporting references, a bibliography.
          The reading for this essay is the play, I and You, handouts from poetry.org on Walt Whitman and Leaves of Grass, his poem, Song of Myself; links to John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme lyrics and other reading from the textbook, Reading and Writing about Literature. Email the essay Tuesday, April 1, 2014 by 11:50 p.m.to  coasabirenglish1B@gmail.com Bring a few copies (3) to class on Thursday to share.

1.      In Lauren Gunderson’s play I and You, how are the themes: fear and love or the fear of love addressed through Walt Whitman’s poetry and through the characters Caroline and Anthony?

2.      Themes in John Coltrane’s opus A Love Supreme are also reflected philosophically in Lauren Gunderson’s character Anthony evident in what he chooses to highlight in his part of the joint project on Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” “I and you.” Talk about Anthony’s point of view “I,” juxtaposed with that of Caroline’s “you,” and how his perspective while not always clear until the end, shapes his voice and ideas about life and death. Lyrics with music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kOu61AtFVk
       Lyrics to A Love Supreme: http://radicalspirit.typepad.com/seekingandserving/john-coltranes-a-love-supreme-poem.html

3.      While Anthony’s perspective is omniscient, that is, he knows more about the situation that brings him to Caroline’s bedside—literally and figuratively, it, these reasons for his presence there, are not something Caroline gets until the end. However, even if her perspective is limited, Caroline, a recluse who lives in cyberspace on Facebook and in Twitter feed, does eventually allow herself to think beyond her diagnosis, a place she has occupied far too long.

4.      How does Anthony’s presence in Caroline’s life – “YOU,” help her more clearly see and define herself, see herself without limits, a self full of infinite possibilities even at what she believes it its finality?

5.      How is –if we use Caroline’s skill with her camera to discuss this next element, how is Caroline’s life a lot sharper when Anthony appears in her viewfinder (room)?  Discuss the photo development process from the framing of the image, to shooting and it’s posting for audience appreciation or ridicule –  How does Caroline’s world grow larger as she uses her zoom lens to make what was seemingly out of reach intimate and personal and clear?  How is this act –both framing and being framed depict Caroline’s show of courage or leap of faith?

6.      Lauren Gunderson’s play I and You uses many literary devices like metaphor or analogy, not to mention Walt Whitman’s poetry as a voice or even third character. Discuss the playwright’s work in light of such devices and how and why such device(s) is an effective tool.

7.      Of course the poem, Song of Myself by Walt Whitman is the touchstone here. Discuss the playwright’s use of the poem to flush out her characters. How does the poem help Caroline and Anthony make sense of their lives and circumstances that bring the two of them together? How is art the great mediator? For Anthony it’s Coltrane. For Caroline its Elvis, for both its Whitman.

8.      How do Anthony and Whitman become a super nova in Caroline’s universe? How does she holding on to Turtle, get caught up in their star-studded journey? How would you describe her landing?