"Photograph from September 11"

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Lesson objectives 

Consider a short poem from Szymborska 

Consider reading as a reader and reading as a writer

Consider the impact of structure on a poem's content 

Consider the 'signature moves' of a poet 

Paper 1 style summative 

• You will have 90 minutes 
  
• Read carefully your guiding questions
• Annotate your text 
  
• plan your thesis statement and topic sentences 
  
• Plan your evidence and the insightful idea that you have using your guiding questions to help you
  
• Write your essay - introduction, (3) body paragraphs & conclusion (approx 1 hour) 
  
• proof read and edit your work

What do you notice? 

Write down your reaction. 

Listen to the poem.

Listen as a reader.

1. Write down what you notice. This could be words, ideas or sentences that appeal to you. 

2. Discuss on your table and share your initial reactions. 

"Photograph from September 11" 

Listen to the poem.

Listen as a writer. 

1. What did you notice that the poet did? 

2. Speculate why the author used this particular technique? ( you do not have to name the technique) 

3. Have you seen this technique in other poems? 

"Photograph from September 11" 

They jumped from the burning floors - one, two, a few more, higher, lower. The photograph halted them in life, and now keeps them above the earth toward the earth. Each is still complete, with a particular face and blood well hidden, There's enough time for hair to come loose, for keys and coins to fall from pockets. They're still within the air's reach, within the compass of places that have just opened. I can do only two things for them - describe this flight and not add a last line. 

"Photograph from September 11" 

1. What happens to the poem when the poem is removed from the poetic structure ? 

2. How does structure influence the message? 

"Photograph from September 11" 

1. How does Szymborska treat death in the poem? Any parallels to her other poems?

2. Do you agree that some emotions or events can’t be captured in words?

3. Is Szymborska successful in “individualizing these disappearances”?

Szymborska appears to be admitting that the poet can’t play a large role here. Where else have we seen Szymborska admitting her modesty in the face of large issues? 

4. How does this apply to what we know of Szymborska’s personality and life choices?

5. Why might a poet be cautious about writing a poem such as one dealing with Sept 11?

What 'signature moves' do you see Szymborska using in her poetry?

Role of Time & Space 

Answer these questions in your exercise book  

1. What is the role of time in the poem?
   
2. Look at this through a historical lens. What does this say about the impact of the event? How is a poet (writer) a chronicler of events?
   
3. Can poetry help us heal? 
4. What roles do you think artists must play in dealing with grief or tragic historical events? Is it useful? 
   

"Photograph from September 11" 

Literary aspects of the poem

What techniques, used by Szymborska, stood out in this poem?

Were there particular words that had an impact?

How did structure aid the message here?

Choose a photograph from your laptop.

You will write either a poem or a descriptive paragraph trying to convey the emotions within the photo (try to do this without stating the emotions directly) 

Like Szymborska, the challenge will be to use details (or another technique) to convey the emotion in the photo to your reader [me and/or your classmates]

Creative task

Write your rationale thoughts. 

Looking at your writing, do you think you achieved the goal of conveying the emotions within the photo?

Explain your reasons why or why not.

What techniques did you try to employ? 

Are you happy with the results?

Creative task rationale 

A peer will read your work and write their reactions on your work.

1. What emotion do you feel the student was trying to convey?
   
2. What techniques did you note?
   

Reader response