Journey of the Magi by T.S. Eliot
The poem this week is Journey of the Magi by T.S. Eliot. You can find it at http://www.americanpoems.com/poets/tseliot/6602. Apparently Eliot, who had recently converted to Christianity, wrote this poem as an insert in his Christmas cards (probably in 1927, just after being baptized in the Anglican Church). He was totally misunderstood by the people he sent it to. Many think the poem is somewhat reminiscent of his conversion experience since there is the journey to being a Christian and then the hard and uncertain times after as one comes to terms with the extent of the decision. Think about that too as you read the poem. Some other questions for you to think on as you read and study this poem are:
1. Who is the narrator? What is his relationship to the magi?
2. Why does he say ‘a cold coming we had of it’?
3. You will have to listen carefully to the way I read this poem. There are nuances and emphasis that make the meaning of the poem come out. I have to admit that I read the poem as it was originally read to me.
4. What were some of the trials of the journey?
5. Read the story of the coming of the Magi in Matthew 2: 1-12. Ask yourself “what would it be like to be part of that caravan that trudged up from the East to Bethlehem.” This is T.S. Eliot’s rendition of that journey.
6. What is meant by the “three trees on a low sky”?
7. What is he talking about with that last line?
8. Read through some of the comments some people have written about this poem. If you feel moved, do add your own comment.
Les questions de semaine
As you think of the Magi, the gifts they brought to Bethlehem and the journey they took to get there and then back, why would the narrator add:
And I would do it again, but set down
This set down
This: were we led all that way for
Birth or Death?
What is he ‘setting’ down? What does he mean by those words?
The Gift of the Magi by O Henry
The short story of the week is The Gift of the Magi by O Henry. I will be photocopying a copy for you and reading it aloud on Tuesday. It is really a beautiful story of the love of a young married couple. The vocabulary is quite rich so keep a dictionary handy. Maybe I need to add a vocabulary section on this blog…
The literary technique that we will be looking at this week will be ‘foreshadowing’. Look for foreshadowing of the climax of the story. You may have to go back over the story to find them.
Explain in a paragraph or two what is meant by the title and the last paragraph. Make sure you make reference to the story.
For your Language Power Assignment you will be doing Lessons 18, 19 and 20.
If you have any comments about the assignments or questions that you may have, don’t be afraid to post them on the blog. I do check daily if there has been any activity. Your comment or question may help someone else. I will also answer on the blog. Any dialogue about the story or poem is always welcome.
And finally don’t forget your Book Report that is due for Friday, December 12, at 12:45 – 12:50.
