Contemporary Literature and Authors

Gwendolyn Brooks

Here is one of the most famous poems written by Gwendolyn Brooks: 

THE POOL PLAYERS.
SEVEN AT THE GOLDEN SHOVEL.

We real cool. We
Left school. We

Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We

Jazz June. We
Die soon.

To learn more about the author and the poem go to: 
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9560637     (the MP3 is on the H: drive if the webiste is taking to long to load.  Look for the title "We Real Cool")

1.  What do you notice about the structure of the poem "We Real Cool" that breaks from traditional poetry? 

To learn about a novel written by Gwendoyln Brooks to to:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6197361&ps=rs  (the MP3 is on the H: drive if the webiste is taking to long to load.  Look for the title "Maude Martha")

2.  How would you interpret the meaning of the phrase spoken by the main character Maude Martha,"if the root was sour what business did she have up there hacking at a leaf?"

3.  What characteristics does Gwendolyn Brooks demonstrate in her literature that show she is a contemporary writer? 


Julia Alvarez

You have already read "Daughter of Invention," by Julia Alvarez.  You can learn more about a nonfictional book she wrote about the Hispanic tradition of the Quinceañera here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12523050   (the MP3 is on the H: drive if the webiste is taking to long to load.  Look for the title "Julia Alvarez")

4.  Alvarez not only discusses the traditions associated with the celebration of the 15th birthday, but also other social/cultural issues.  What issues about society, cuture, and family does Julia Alvarez confront in her book?

Learn about how Julia Alvarez feels about her native culture and her constructed "American" culture: 
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1150050  (The MP3 is on the H: drive.  Look for the title "Hispanic Heritage.")

5.  Alvarez makes an interesting statement about the type of mentality that causes events like 9/11.  Explain her statement. 

6.  Explain the quote that the interviewer paraphrased: "You consider yourself Dominican-hyphen-American and that as a writer you find that most of the exciting things happen in that realm of that hyphen."  What was Alvarez's response? 


John Updike

John Updike wrote several novels.  You can read an excerpt from his last novel here (scroll down to where it says "Excerpt: 'My Father's Tears.'"http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106358537

7.  Which description of people or places stands out the most to you, personally? 
8.  What sentiments do you feel about the "miniscule restaurant" or the little girl selling flowers?