Lit exam 2008

[Sun-Flower-Monster]

It's good to hear some others wanted First Essay for one of the Kinsella poems, i'm not alone! My Kinsella essay wasnt that great i was just trying to put as much in there as i could, and i did S&S for the novel, i think i went well there

[pastiche]

I despise Goading Storms. I'd much prefer to tie in my lang analysis with a solid intepretation than talk about his structure at any length. It's such a massive deviation away from the norm that while I found it very easy to understand it frustated me no end.

There is, however, that pesky matter of fulfilling criteria regarding authorial use of language/structure/form/etc. to convey *insert official VCAA wording I've forgotten*, and I do believe that one can 'solidly interpret' Kinsella via his choice of aforementioned structual crap. Deviating from the norm has to *mean* something, after all, even if it's just that Kinsella likes to "stretch one voice to breaking point", as Bloom mentions. (Is it Bloom? I've forgotten everything since the exam.)

(I'm aware one can fulfil criteria without talking about structure/form/rhyme, but showing examiners you can take into account what effect they produce overall should give you brownie points.)

I don't think you've quite grasped the essence of poety. lol

While I agree with you in principle, anything requiring a grade will not encourage appreciating said 'essence of poety'. Heh.

[bridgethuss]

i see my sister has joined this forum, she loves first essay.
wild radishes is my one love!!!!

[andypandy]

I hope I did well. Absolutely loved the Donne poetry. I wrote on 'Elegy 2' and 'A Hymn to Christ'. 'Elegy 2' I've always interpreted as Donne's wedding night, and there's plenty of evidence to back that interpretation up, so fingers crossed.

Antigone was good too. Mainly focused on my interpretation of an incestuous relationship between Antigone and Polynices. Weaved hubris into it as well.

Haha, may sound unbelieveable, but the best thing about lit is that you're never wrong as long as you back yourself up.

Good luck to all with the scores

[amyminchin]

I prefer to talk baout his choice of continually condemning and acerbic language than his structure or lack thereof. This still fulfills the VCAA requirement of dealing closely with the language and structure of the work. Simply because I choose not to focus on his use of villanelle in GS... does not mean I don't mention it, I just don't base my intepretation on the structure, but rather his use of imagery and recurring words throughout the poems.

And yeah, the essence of poetry is what I really love, however in the exam you can't afford to talk about it.

[pastiche]

While I agree that Kinsella has a tendency toward bitterness (ahh understatments, I love thee), there are also rather mellow examples in his work, within 'Peripheral Light' and within his body of work as a whole. I find 'Salt Lesson' somewhat affectionate despite the occasionally jarring language, and the section supplied of 'the Shed' was positively thoughtful, and I'm sure there are other examples I've blocked out since last Thursday.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree, but I personally think that to avoid a discussion of structure/rhyme/rhythm when it's easily accessible is silly. Different strokes for different folks, I s'pose.

[amyminchin]

uhh, not avoiding it! How many times do I have to say that I do not FOCUS on it, it's still a part of my essay, just not a huge part. And yes, Salt Lesson is not as acerbic as his other works, however, could that be because it is directed to his daughter and is taking on a more fatherly role rather than a judge/activist role as he does in his other poetry. The Shed is entirely sub concious I feel, writing about his writing and the "house" soon to be built, suggests a hope that soon his writing will provide a safe place for the animals rather then the makeshift "shed" that they must endure for the moment. While I would generally focus on his metalanguage I would still mention his rambling enjambment and minimal use of full stops. Yes, there are parts of his work that are mellow, but these are the exception rther than the rule and I use the language within these examples to support my points, rather than the structure.
Also, because we have 13 poems to analyse, that counts as the "work" not 'perpherial light'- although I have read it and yes mellowness does show up... sometimes.

I don't "avoid" talking about rhyme/rythym/structure (as I have said before)- I just don't focus on it because I don't see it as a resounding feature of his work, nor do I base my intepretation on it for the same reasons

[bridgethuss]

i never thought i would see a fight about kinsella, what is this world coming to!!! lol
ok well i think you both will clearly do very well ok!!!!!!

[amyminchin]

My friend and I always fought about Kinsella at school, lol. It was the highlight of my lit year, I think.

[pastiche]

i never thought i would see a fight about kinsella, what is this world coming to!!! lol
ok well i think you both will clearly do very well ok!!!!!!

The apocalyptic imagery is getting to her, I think

P.S. To be honest, I think Kinsella's a massive wanker. I don't care about him in any capacity beyond his capability of giving me a decent study score. His body of work is totally underrepresented in Peripheral Light, though.

[amyminchin]

I think Kinsella's a massive wanker

Hey! There's something we can agree on. He really is, he's entirely obsessive about one subject and believes himself to be a saint in the eyes of the land. I mean really, why would anyone be a "vegan, pacifist, anarchist" anyway?

[bridgethuss]

kinsella is creepy

[rustic_metal]

lol. Kinsella makes me violent... or are you referring to my inadequate wording?

no, not that lol

I don't think you've quite grasped the essence of poety. lol

While I agree with you in principle, anything requiring a grade will not encourage appreciating said 'essence of poety'. Heh.

haha well put

Both this year and last year my literature teachers have tried to start 'poetry tuesday,' in which they would bring in a poem or someone else in the class would and everyone would talk about it, even though it isnt on the course. Both years it flopped after one try.

[amyminchin]

oooh i would so go for that

[chris]

Anybody here write on Audens poetry?