Analyzing Erika Fine's Poem "Wish"

• This course aims to improve students' skills in appreciating, analyzing, and critiquing literary works
• The course surveys major literary masterpieces from various global locations, cultures, and time periods, across different literary forms and genres

Course Outcomes

• Students will learn to identify literary genres, elements, and devices
• Students will learn to interpret and evaluate texts and connect them to their literary and cultural contexts
• Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills when analyzing the breadth and depth of literary texts
• Students will be able to apply literary theories and lenses to analyze literary works

Poem "Wish" by Erika Fine Analysis

• The poem reflects on the disruption of normalcy and longing for return to ordinary life
• The speaker expresses a desire for physical contact, freedom of movement, and a resolution to a deadly scourge

COVID-19 Quarantine

• Local public health authorities set quarantine guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19
• Quarantine separates potentially exposed individuals to prevent disease spread before and during symptomatic infection
• Quarantined people should remain home, distance themselves,monitor their health, and adhere to guidance from health authorities

Humanities and Literature

• The humanities and literature explore the nature and specific forms of human experience
• The goal of humanities is not necessarily to find the single truth about ourselves and the world
• Valued opinions and interpretations, in the humanities, are rooted in sensitivity, insight, and perception

Types of Literature

• Literature can be categorized into prose fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction prose

Prose Fiction

• Prose fiction comprises stories originating from the author's imagination and includes myths, parables, romances, novels, and short stories

Myths

• Myths are traditional narratives explaining world origins, natural phenomena, cultural practices, or societal beliefs
• They frequently involve gods, supernatural entities, or heroic characters, conveying moral, spiritual, or philosophical insights
• Example: The Greek myth of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods for humanity

Parables

• Parables are brief, simple narratives imparting moral or religious lessons
• Employing everyday scenarios and characters, parables are often present in religious texts like the Bible
• Example: "The Parable of the Good Samaritan" emphasizes kindness and compassion

Romances

• Romance novels are a fiction genre focused on a central love story, where characters face relationship obstacles before reaching a satisfying conclusion
• Subgenres include historical, contemporary, or paranormal romance
• Example: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice explores love, social class, and personal development

Novels

• Novels are extended fictional narratives with intricate plots, multiple characters, and detailed settings
• They delve into themes, conflicts, and character development extensively
• Example: Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird

Short Stories

• Short stories are concise fictional works centering on a single event, character, or theme
• Characterized by a clear beginning, middle, and end, they offer a focused narrative
• Example: Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

Poetry

• Poetry involves brief and musical verses that express human experience
• Poetry can be broken into narrative and lyric

Narrative Poetry

• Narrative poetry conveys a story with characters, setting, and plot in verse
• Ballads are narrative poems/songs with a dramatic, often oral, history and memorable rhythmic structure

Epic Poems

• Epic poems are long narratives of heroic deeds, legendary figures, or events with bravery, fate, and divine intervention themes
• Example: Homer’s The Iliad

Lyric Poetry

• Lyric poetry expresses personal emotions and thoughts musically
• Sonnets are 14-line poems that use iambic pentameter and explore love, beauty, or time
• Odes are lyrical poems that praise a person, object or idea formally

Drama

• Drama is literature designed for stage or film and presented by actors for an audience
• Tragedy is a drama where events lead to the protagonist's downfall by fate or character flaws; Macbeth is an example
• Comedy is intended to be humorous and entertaining and end in a happy resolution; an example is A Midsummer Night's Dream

Non-Fiction Prose

• Non-fiction prose describes and interprets facts, and presents judgments and opinions.
• This category includes biography, autobiography, textbooks, periodicals, narrative nonfiction, and reference materials.

Biography

• A biography is a factual account of a person's life written by someone else, that covers life experiences, achievements, and personal history
• Example: Walter Isaacson's Steve Jobs

Autobiography

• An autobiography is a self-written account describing significant events, experiences, and reflections
• Example: Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl

Textbooks

• Textbooks are educational books for studying a specific subject with information, explanations, and exercises
• Example: Biology: Concepts & Connections by Campbell and Reece

Periodicals

• Periodicals are regularly issued publications
• Examples: daily newspapers, weekly magazines, and academic journals

Narrative Nonfiction

• Narrative nonfiction is creative nonfiction presenting true events and facts with storytelling techniques
• Examples: Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild, Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Reference Materials

• Reference materials provide information for research and fact-checking, like dictionaries and encyclopedias

Guidelines for Reading

• Explain words, situations, and concepts and determine what happens in the work
• Record reactions and responses, describe interesting characterizations, events, techniques, and ideas
• Trace developing patterns, what conflicts appear, and how these conflicts are resolved
• Elaborate on notes about characters, situations, and actions including habits, customs, and language
• Memorize important, interesting and well-written passages and always write down questions when reading