Thank you all for your keen participation at our first literature seminar (lecture/ tutorial) on Wednesday last (4th March). It was really good to feel that there was such interest in the subject and such a willingness to engage in questions and answers. A short summary of what we did (and you can listen to it all on the Audio Recording) goes something like this.
1/ We covered the difference between the major genres (poetry, prose and drama) and talked about the way poetry uses language most intensively. A few words (as used in the poem “You Fit Into Me”) can convey many layers of emotion, from the quest for security to the sense of being trapped in a relationship. We had some excellent ideas about what the images in this poem “fish hook”, “open eye” could mean. If you need help with understanding how poetry works then check out the links on the left hand side of this Blog.
2/ We looked at the way prose often simply tries to convey meaning, whereas poetry often tries to capture an experience, especially the feeling side of an experience. This led us to look closely at Richard Tipping’s “Mangoes” which provoked a whole range of fascinating themes. Everyone in the room had something to say about this poem, about its sensual and subversive nature, all triggered by a simple fruit.
3/ Looking briefly at Drama we noted how Drama is literature that gets up and walks and talks. In Shakespeare (which we will all be going to see –As You Like It – on Tuesday March 24th) we will see how this amazing writer uses, poetry, prose and drama to create his amazing effects.
And here is the slide we used to kick off our discussion on the poem “Mangoes”:
Here are Your Blog Topics for Week One. Write your Blog in the Practice Blog space in the first module (above) in LEO. When you have completed your Blog go and look at someone else’s Blog and make a comment on their work. Be supportive and constructive in what you say.
1/ Write a short paragraph on Richard Tipping’s poem “Mangoes”. How effective is the poem? What are some of its main themes? What is poetic about the way language is used in this poem?
2/ Write a short paragraph introducing yourself. Where are you from? What do you hope to get out of this unit? What attracted you to “Literature”?
3/ Write a short paragraph on where you are living now. You can include photos and videos if you wish.
For Learning Partners, here are the audio recordings from the first session (let me know how they work for you). These are available for students within LEO:
Audio Part 1:
Audio Part 2
Michael Griffith: Home Page- Literature and Life Summer 2023 
Greetings to all students of Literature in Clemente in 2015. I was where you are now in 2013. Now I am studying Literature and Visual Art at ACU doing a BA. Congratulaltions for taking the first important step. Now sit tight, hang on and put your seatbelts on as Michael prepares to take you on an amazing journey of words that will not be limited by time or geographical boundary.
Oh, and check out my blog. Its all Michael’s fault that I now get over 5000 views per year from all over the world.
Thanks Dave. – so good that you are able to express yourself so passionately for our next cohort of students 😃
Michael please check your acu email and write a short letter if you will. This is an academic reference in support of my scholarship application for Co op bookshop
Will do Dave!😄
Hi Dave- I have checked my email but nothing formal has come through. Are you able to send me an email from your address with the document that you want me to support. More than happy to do this, but I can’t find it in my inbox… is it stuck somewhere between WordPress and ACU ????
Michael
I sent to acu email. No matter. Michael Foley wrote one for me and I have submitted. Thanks though
Phew! Sorry I missed the boat Dave!
No worries