This section is going to guide you through many interesting literature resources online. Sometimes we reject reading novels or poems because we consider them to be stuff from the past. I want to show you that sometimes it can be different and interesting (not all poems are Shakespeare...).
ACTIVITY 1
Here you have a video that contains a poem written by Allen Ginsberg 1955 (WOW! 60 years ago...) I invite you to think about the meaning and guess if it would be possible to speak that way nowadays.
HOWL, by Allen Ginsberg (1955)
1. What is Moloch? Is it something existing or just a metaphor?
2. Do you agree with the narrator's vision of America?
Think about these questions and bring them prepared to the next session, we will comment on them in class. Everybody will share their opinions and answers. Please, write a comment if you want to share something interesting related to: the poem, Allen Ginsberg, The Beat Generation, Moloch... and whatever you want, you have plenty of freedom.
ACTIVITY 2
Have you ever imagined how difficult is to live with people who are quite different from you? We usually share our lives with parents, friends and relatives whose feelings, tastes and beliefs are similar from ours. Nevertheless, this situation is not very common in literature. Very often characters in literature show a feeling of being different and unaccepted. For example, figure out that you live in the 19th century and you are rich (a noble). One day, you need to move far fromyour family and live in the countryside with the peasants. Wouldn't it be difficult for you to adapt to the situation? This is what happened to Jane Eyre, the protagonist of "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë. Nevertheless, the situation was the other way around: she, being poor, had to live with a rich man, whose friends are also rich. Look at the following excerpt:
“Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal — as we are!”
Charlotte Brönte, Jane Eyre (Chapter XXIII, p. 292)
What does Jane feels? Does she feel like she's less than a rich person?
Do you consider Jane to be a strong or a weak woman? Why?
Write a short essay (100-150 words) on the importance of gender and social equality for you. Giude yourself with the following questions:
- Do I consider that every human being should be equal? Why?
- What kind of equality? Do I trust in gender equality? Do I trust in economical and social equality?
- Why is this important for society?
If want to know more about Jane Eyre, here you have the trailer of the film (nevertheless, I reccommend you the book). Enjoy!!
Spanish version: English version:
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