WEEK 13 DISCUSSION THREAD (50 POINTS)

1. Review your textbook.

2.  Choose a story, poem, or play from the textbook that stands out for you.  This should be something we have not already discussed in class.

3.  Question: Why did you choose to read this piece?  Did this piece of writing work well for you?  Do you think it is a satisfying piece of writing?  Why or why not?
 

4. Would this piece of writing make for a strong movie or television show?  Why or why not?

https://www.cengage.com/dashboard/#/course-confirmation/MTPQQCLNSPX9/initial-course-confirmation

WEEK 13 DISCUSSION THREAD (50 POINTS)

1. Review your textbook.

2.  Choose a story, poem, or play from the textbook that stands out for you.  This should be something we have not already discussed in class.

3.  Question: Why did you choose to read this piece?  Did this piece of writing work well for you?  Do you think it is a satisfying piece of writing?  Why or why not?

4. Would this piece of writing make for a strong movie or television show?  Why or why not?

https://www.cengage.com/dashboard/#/course-confirmation/MTPQQCLNSPX9/initial-course-confirmation

ANNE SEXTON (1928–1974)

The Starry Night1 (1962)

That does not keep me from having a terrible need of—shall I say the word—
religion. Then I go out at night to paint the stars.

—Vincent Van Gogh in a letter to his brother

The town does not exist
except where one black-haired tree slips
up like a drowned woman into the hot sky.
The town is silent. The night boils with eleven stars.
Oh starry starry night! This is how 5I want to die.

It moves. They are all alive.
Even the moon bulges in its orange irons
to push children, like a god, from its eye.
The old unseen serpent swallows up the stars. 10Oh starry starry night! This is how
I want to die:

into that rushing beast of the night,
sucked up by that great dragon, to split
from my life with no flag, 15no belly,
no cry.

Click for a larger version

Peter Horree/Alamy

The Starry Night (1889) by Vincent Van Gogh

1The Starry Night: Famous painting (1889) by Dutch Postimpressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890).

-PS-6-

JANE FLANDERS (1940–2001)

Van Gogh’s Bed (1985)

is orange,
like Cinderella’s coach, like
the sun when he looked it
straight in the eye.

is narrow, he sleeps alone, tossing 5between two pillows, while it carried him
bumpily to the ball.

is clumsy,
but friendly. A peasant
built the frame; an old wife beat 10the mattress till it rose like meringue.

is empty,
morning light pours in
like wine, melody, fragrance,
the memory of happiness. 15

Click for a larger version

DEA / G. DAGLI ORTI/Getty Images

The Bedroom (1888) by Vincent Van Gogh

-PS-3-

ANNE SEXTON (1928–1974)
The Starry Night1 (1962)
That does not keep me from having a terrible need of—shall I say the word—
religion. Then I go out at night to paint the stars.
—Vincent Van Gogh in a letter to his brother
The town does not exist
except where one black-haired tree slips
up like a drowned woman into the hot sky.
The town is silent. The night boils with eleven stars.
Oh starry starry night! This is how 5I want to die.
It moves. They are all alive.
Even the moon bulges in its orange irons
to push children, like a god, from its eye.
The old unseen serpent swallows up the stars. 10Oh starry starry night! This is how
I want to die:
into that rushing beast of the night,
sucked up by that great dragon, to split
from my life with no flag, 15no belly,
no cry.
Click for a larger version
Peter Horree/Alamy
The Starry Night (1889) by Vincent Van Gogh
1The Starry Night: Famous painting (1889) by Dutch Postimpressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890).
-PS-6-

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Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information: Book title: Portable Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing. Edition: 9th. Contributors: Laurie G. Kirszner – Author, Stephen R. Mandell – Author. Publisher: Cengage Learning. Place of publication: Boston. Publication year: 2015. Page number: PS-6

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