Free Verse No Rules Allowed History Free Verse
- Slides: 10
Free Verse No Rules Allowed
History • Free Verse appeared in 1915 • Walt Witman and Emily Dickenson are well known for being early writers of free verse poetry.
History continued • In the 20’s and 30’s the writers of the Harlem Renaissance were well known for the use of free verse in poetry • Beatnik’s of the 50’s and 60’s helped to popularize free verse • Some important writers from these two groups are: Allen Ginsbourg, William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, E. E. Cummings, and Langston Hughes
A Quote! • Richard Aldington said: “We do not insist upon 'free-verse' as the only method of writing poetry. We fight for it as for a principle of liberty. ” • What is the significance of this quote?
Your Turn! • At your table, come up with your own definition of free verse • Be sure to include its purpose (what this form is used for) • You have four minutes
Langston Hughes • An important writer during the Harlem Renaissance • His work spoke to the feelings of people in Harlem community, as well as African American’s all over the country. • Wrote six children’s books • Published over 30 books of poetry, fiction, and non fiction • Has written 13 major plays
Juke Box Love Song I could take the Harlem night and wrap around you, Take the neon lights and make a crown, Take the Lenox Avenue busses, Taxis, subways, And for your love song tone their rumble down. Take Harlem's heartbeat, Make a drumbeat, Put it on a record, let it whirl, And while we listen to it play, Dance with you till day-Dance with you, my sweet brown Harlem girl.
Allen Ginsburg • A well known writer of the Beat Generation • Like many authors of this time period, he was known as a political activist • Wrote over 20 books of poetry
Fourth Floor, Dawn, Up All Night Writing Letters Pigeons shake their wings on the copper church roof out my window across the street, a bird perched on the cross surveys the city's blue-grey clouds. Larry Rivers ‘ll come at 10 AM and take my picture. I'm taking your picture, pigeons. I'm writing you down, Dawn. I'm immortalizing your exhaust, Avenue A bus. O Thought! Now you'll have to think the same thing forever!
You be the Author! • Write a free verse poem – It must be at least two quatrains long – You will have the rest of the class to finish your work