The following contemporary poems, published recently in Canadian Literature, reflect upon events, topics, and issues related to this chapter.
If one of the poems appeals to you, and you would like to read it more closely or write a paper about it, here are some suggestions:
- Have a look at the
Close Reading Poetry
chapter. - Return to the poem and work through it line by line in the ways modelled by the sample readings.
- Ask yourself why the poem was selected for this unit—the answer will help you focus your close reading.
News from Another Room (Simple)
by Steven Heighton
The poem uses the pouring and drinking of wine as an extended metaphor. What is its point?
Potluck
by Marilyn Iwama
Although the speaker appears to be the girl’s
mother, this relationship is kept at some distance. How is this done, and why?
Heritage
by Roger Nash
The plural pronoun we
often serves to unite the reader and the speaker or writer. Does it perform this function here? Who does the we
refer to?
Works Cited
- Heighton, Steven.
News From Another Room (Simple).
Canadian Literature 179 (2003): 55. Print. - Iwama, Marilyn.
Potluck.
Canadian Literature 179 (2003): 70–71. Print. - Nash, Roger.
Heritage.
Canadian Literature 137 (1993): 7. Print.
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