WAR POETRY ASSIGNMENTS

  1. Make a list of lies we tell children, whether for the better or ill. (“The Lottery”)
  2. What are the current attitudes concerning war

·  in media

·  in music

·  in movies

  1. Do you think the coverage of the war in the media has been fair, balanced, unbiased? Explain.
  2. What are your thoughts regarding war in general, this war in particular?

·  list them

·  come to a THESIS – write it as a statement.

·  write your own “war poem”
·  work from your Thesis
·  consider what Tone would be most effective to convey your stance
·  support your Thesis with reasons, arguments
o  backstop good-bye
o  realities of war
o  about losing a buddy
o  coming home
§  PTSD
§  anger, resentment at hypocrisy, media bias
§  trying to readjust, fit back in, re-acclimate into society
o  POV of wife/husband, child, family of a soldier
§  fiancé of a soldier who died in war
§  “from Jocasta”
·  on his leaving for war
·  on her being left behind while he goes off to war
·  on her left to bury him, raise their child, w/no benefits,…
·  her “Dear John” letter
·  on her needing companionship, her loneliness, her fear
o  Honor, Duty, Sacrifice – Do they exist today?
o  The “old lie” is still used
o  Homage to a Government, 2008
o 
·  FORM:
o  Does it have to rhyme? NO
o  Does it have to be a specific genre (sonnet, ode)? NO
  1. Is it paradox or hypocrisy to “support the troops” while simultaneously bad-mouthing the war/commander-in-chief? Explain.