Blog by: Brandon Ng. https://newyorker.home.blog/2019/09/06/a-bird-came-down-the-walk/

Hi Brandon! I really enjoyed this poem. The simplicity of your poem is what struck me the most. I can picture the simple and slight movements of the bird itself and the innocence that lay within in. I think you have captured perfectly a minimalist style with the simple movements of the bird. Through the use of rhyme as well, the peaceful tone of the poem is evident. I believe to strengthen your blog you could perhaps make it a bit longer to give it some more depth. As well as this, Perhaps the use of a visual aid could really make this poem pop! Other than that, I think your choice of wording and peaceful concept made it such an easy and enjoyable piece to engage with. Keep up the good work!

Blog by: Nancy David. https://nancysliteratureblog.home.blog/2019/09/15/blog-3-a-letter-to-james-baldwin/

Hi Nancy! I really enjoyed this blog entry. To me, this seemed like a true professional and well written letter. I really enjoyed how you incorporated more than one of Baldwins texts to support the way in which he widely demonstrates the severity of racism and discrimination. I can see through this letter how much his works have impacted your understanding of these issues and the power of Baldwins writings; I also feel the same way! I particularly like how you wrote “There is power, conviction and logic in your writing, which portrays a sense of realism, suffering and describes the discriminations experienced by the African American communities”. This blog truly encapsulates the sense of logic and realism through your choice of wording in which is also seen in baldwins works. I think perhaps by incorporating some textual evidence from the writings you have referenced could strengthen you blog even more so! Other than that, I really enjoyed this, keep up the good work!

Blog by: Maria Lo Campo. https://marialocampo.wordpress.com/2019/09/10/american-literature-blog-2/

Hi Maria, I think you have written a great blog here! I particularly like the way in which you gave some context into Whitman’s work regarding his admiration for Abraham Lincoln. This clearly pointed out to me why it is that Whitman saw Lincoln as a ‘captain’. I really like how you have drawn out certain quotes and bolden them to further to prove your point. I have to agree with you and say that I do really think that repetitive nature of the quote ‘O’Captain my Captain’ accentuates his admiration for him as president. I think perhaps to strengthen your response you could by place in literary techniques to back your quotes and further elaborate upon them. Besides from that, I think that your blog was clear and got to the point as to why you think Whitman feels so highly of Abraham Lincoln! Keep up the good work!

Blog by: Victoria Martin. https://victoriamartin.art.blog/2019/08/31/a-narrow-fellow-in-the-grass-remastered/

I really like this poem, Victoria! I think you have really encapsulated the essence of Emily Dickinson! I think this poem is very rich and deep in meaning. I agree with your perspective and honestly think that Dickinson would too! I think in today’s in modern day society with the boom of technology you are completely right to say that some lack character or sense of self because we have become a society so focused on reflecting those we see on social media or being better ‘than’. I think it is also interesting to look at the theme of your poem and think about what our modern day world would look like through the eyes of Emily Dickinson. Considering Dickinson seemed to value human and the perspective of death so heavily as you stated, i think if she were to see our world today with this rise and and addiction to social media she would have even more to say! For your next poem you write, if you choose to do one, i think maybe showing the distinct stanza’s would really add to the effect of your poem! Good job!