The first reading I would choose is a story by Earnest Hemingway titled "Hills Like White Elephants." The reason I chose this one is based on simply that there is so much unsaid about what is really going on between the girl and the man. I would really love to read how others interpret the story's premise, and to find out what exactly is the relationship between the girl and the man, where are they heading to, why do they keep discussing the "perfect simple thing" that is mentioned over and over again, why does she say that she doesn't care about herself but will do anything for him, and what is the significance of the hill looking like white elephants? There are so many unanswered questioned and finding out how others interpret the story versus what is actually meant by the author would be intriguing to read.
The second reading I would choose is a poem by Michael S. Harper titled "Discovery." After reading this poem I had a mental image of the couple laying in bed and I wondered why she pretended to be asleep and then watch him sleep? I also wondered why he actually touched the light bulb or did he? Was there some sort of paradox to the last line? This poem is creates a vivid mental image but then so many questions arise about the situation as well and would like to read what some of classmates thought of this poem as well.
The third reading I would choose is a poem by Robert Hayden titled "Those Winter Sundays." The reason I chose this reading is because the poem is complex. I had to read it quite a few times before I came up with a meaning behind it and what I believe it means. It is a poem whose complexity brings out a story of a life of a hardworking father show has a son that is ungrateful at first but then realizes that his father has done right by him. I think many of us can relate to this story and it would be intriguing to read others' response to this one as well.
The fourth story I would recommend is another poem by Theodore Roethke titled "My Papa's Waltz." This poem has such a profound and indefinite meaning to it that my mouth was in awe of the horrible acts this boy had to face from a person who is supposed to show him love and kindness. It is so well written that I felt the pain he went through by the way the author used his words and any poem that has that type of affect on an individual should be further revised.
The final reading I recommend for our class is a story by Inga Clendinnen titled "Assessing Witness Testimony: Filip Muller." In my opinion one could never learn enough about our past and the history of other cutlures. I believe that with this story we can all learn more about Auschwitz by reading this story that tells about a personal experience of being in the camp. There was a recent article about a man who was honored by saving a few of the Jewish prisoners by replacing them with himself. The heroism that this man showed gave me back some hope that there is more good hearted individuals to replace those who have no shame in hurting people in the manner that has been described in this story. After reading this story, I was astounded by the hardships and the dishearten acts that humans can place on one another for a reason as small as believing in another religion or having different colored body parts. I believe that this story cannot go unturned!
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Its good to see that someone else choose the poem "These winter Sundays," because I thought this was an amazing passage. I think many people could relate to this type of poem, because it has so much emotion involved. Its true some kids tend to take advantage of their parents, for either money, cars, and jobs.I have a friend, and she is this way she really takes advantage of her parents because they have money, and its sad.The things she gets she takes for granted, and does not even thank them. For example, her mom bought her a car, and she crashed it a week later racing.I know for a fact if she had to buy that car herself she would of taken more pride in it. I think everyone should be independent, and establish their own things so that they are well appreciated. I think kinds that are given everything become selfish, and money hungry. The parents that are their for their children, but dont spoil them are the ones who get treated with respect in my opinion, and in the end those children will do anything for their parents. I really enjoyed your post!
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