ChildofGrace Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I am putting together our American Literature study for this year, and am wondering about the importance of Poe. How many (and which) works would you say are essential to a thorough American Lit. course? I ask because I have independent copies of both "The Raven" and "Fall of the House of Usher", as well as a copy of The Portable Edgar Allen Poe. If the former are sufficient, I will just happily set aside the latter. Would I be short-changing my dc by doing that? I would really appreciate any advice or opinions on this. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokotg Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I might toss in one more short story, since they're a pretty easy (or at least short) read, but I think that'd be plenty. The average high schooler needn't linger on Poe, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I find Poe absolutely fascinating - I've always loved his writing, but even more so when I learned the story of his life. It is very moving, particularly learning of the tragedy and heartbreak of his early life and then how he became a Christian in his last years. It's an incredible story of how God's grace can touch even the most despairing heart. It might be interesting to study his more well-known works, and then some of his latest poetry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 One of the few things I actually remember from my high school lit classes is my English teacher reading The Raven. My favorite short story from Poe is The Telltale Heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChildofGrace Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 Yes. Telltale Heart is probably my fave from Poe as well, and it is included in the Portable Poe. Hmmmm. I can't decide. I am just trying to streamline, and having a very hard doing so. So many great reads...so little time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 We breeze through famous poets every few years. I love contrasting the dark images used by Poe with the fun/light poetry of Lewis Carroll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyinNNV Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 We breeze through famous poets every few years. I love contrasting the dark images used by Poe with the fun/light poetry of Lewis Carroll. Isn't it funny how we all look at poetry different. I always feel like Carroll is twisted in a different way. Like a sick, weird humor. ...and with his head I came galumphing back ew I can just see the the jabberwocky's bodiless head trailing oozy drops of jabberwocky blood after being snip snapped off. I find Carroll and Poe to be more alike in a weird way. Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Isn't it funny how we all look at poetry different. I always feel like Carroll is twisted in a different way. Like a sick, weird humor. ...and with his head I came galumphing back ew I can just see the the jabberwocky's bodiless head trailing oozy drops of jabberwocky blood after being snip snapped off. I find Carroll and Poe to be more alike in a weird way. Holly LOL! i was kinda thinking the same thing ;) for OP-- how about just spending a few days or a week on him and see how far you get? Most high schoolers should be able to cover quite a bit of material in that timeframe. Maybe two weeks tops. I absolutely LOVE reading The Raven aloud. I memorized Annabel Lee yeeears ago, and I'm working on perfecting The Bells aloud.....mostly cuz my oldest has double dog dared me to use "paean" so many times aloud, hee hee...... i'm gonna hafta figure out how to adjust the twang of that word ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 I'm having the best time, reading thru some of Poe's writings. What a weirdo. I think it's fun, in a twisted kinda way. He walls up an awful lot of people (cats, too...), and people go crazy left and right. Why is that so fascinating?:001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB in NJ Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Yes. Telltale Heart is probably my fave from Poe as well, and it is included in the Portable Poe. Hmmmm. I can't decide. I am just trying to streamline, and having a very hard doing so. So many great reads...so little time! Nobody graduates around here without doing Teaching the Essay by Robin Finley (http://www.analyticalgrammar.com). She teaches the responsive essay using the Telltale Heart. It's just so FUN...the way she reads the story on the CD and then using it to teach the essay. Love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 I think the Raven and the Fall of the House of Usher are fine. Your high school student should be familiar with Poe, but doesn't have to major in him. There are SO many great American Lit possibilities. You have to triage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathmom Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 When dh and I were choosing B&Bs for our honeymoon, we read about one whose claim to fame was "Edgar Allan Poe slept here." He had actually lived there at one point. I told dh, "I don't want to sleep anywhere he slept!!!" LOL! I wouldn't dwell on Poe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hswarden Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I would leave room to pursue more of Poe or anything else if your student responds to him. I think the first two would be sufficient in a one year Am. Lit course for high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChildofGrace Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 I appreciate all the replies! I still haven't decided, but have better clarity after reading your opinions. Thank you so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwimmerMom Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Coming in late here, but I would definitely consider adding in "Murders in the Rue Morgue". It's considered to be the first detective story that all other detective stories are modeled after today. You just can't skip the birth of a genre! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheWhoWaits Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Poe is well known and high school students usually like him, but I personally wouldn't call him a major influence on American literature. What you've chosen is fine if what you're looking for is a survey of American lit. If you're looking to engage your children in American lit, you could do with a little more Poe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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