Response Assignment #3: 

In response to Reading for Sept. 20th

Due Sept. 20th (minimum 2 pages):

You can choose one of the following two writing assignments. If you are in need of extra credit, you can do both and receive credit for two response assignments (if, for example, you've already missed turning one in; or if you even anticipate missing an assignment in the future; or if you just want to raise your grade and ensure a better overall average). 

In no less than two (2) pages, write about one of the following, using the questions that follow as a guide. If you choose to do both, then you must write a total of four pages, minimum (2 per assignment):

1) Compare Kim Addonizio's, "What do Women Want?" with Lisa Redmond's, "The Truth About My Hair." In "What do Women Want?" do not assume that the "speaker" of the poem is the author, Kim Addonizio. You must always assume that poetry and fiction are not autobiographical. So when you write about the speaker of this poem, write "the speaker" or "the narrator" of "this poem" or of "What do Women Want" or "Addonizio's narrator" etc., etc. "The Truth About My Hair," on the other hand, is published in a creative non-fiction journal, so you may therefore assume that it is true and autobiographical (since the author writes in first person), though "creatively" written (some liberties are assumed to be taken with language and description, but not factual accounts).

 

• For each piece of writing, what is the "artifact" that each narrator focuses on?  
• Are the narrators discussing these "artifacts" or items in an emotional way, with indifference, sarcasm, humor, or from a more objective point of view? (What is the "tone" of the narrator when talking about this artifact or object?) 
• How does the tone of each piece better inform the reader about the narrator and the object being described?
• How do the narrators feel these items/objects reflect them, describe who they are, or even who they might be? OR NOT? What is the relationship between these objects and each narrator? Explain and give examples from the text.
• How do the titles of each piece reflect the content? Do they adequately describe what each narrator writes about?  Why or Why not?

 

2) Compare Frida Kalo's diary entries and accompanying art with VanGogh's letter to his brother Theo & accompanying art.  For each piece of writing and accompanying art piece, what feeling and/or tone do you get from each combination? Describe and Explain. (give examples) Take each combination separately and examine, and then compare. There is no need to break it all down word for word or sentence by sentence; but re-read their letters & diary entries and take another close look at their artwork, and then describe the overall feeling and tone you are left with from each, then think about WHY you get that particular feeling of sadness, loneliness, excitement, passion, anger, or whatever feeling you are left with. Then point to a few reasons for each that you think might explain that particular feeling.

 

• Are there certain phrases that are being used that give that sense of anger or sadness? Are there particularly heavy or dark lines being used in the artwork that emphasize a certain feeling? Certain colors that suggest some feeling? Are the drawings/paintings light? dark? what might that say about the tone of the work and/or what the artist might have been feeling when s/he created that piece? Is there a particular structural element in the art that suggests a feeling? 
• Most importantly, how does what is being suggested in the artwork either supported by or further emphasized by what is being written? or vice versa? Or is a diary entry or a letter suggesting one thing, while the artwork is suggesting something totally different? (are the combinations of writing and art contradictory?) How? and why, do you think? GIVE EXAMPLES!
• How do you think the tone of each combination help describe or illuminate the artist? 
• Why do you think each artist chose to also write, instead of just using their art to express themselves?

** Always, always back up your thoughts with some example, quote, or explanation.