The American Dream An Introduction Suite Madame Blue

The American Dream An Introduction

Suite Madame Blue Wife or prominent female figure Sweet Suite Homophones Color A woman who runs a brothel Homonyms Symbol

What is America being. Personified: personified Giving human as in this song? Wife or prominent female figure qualities to A womannon something who runs a human brothel • What is your evidence?

What is the tone of the song? • TONE: Attitude of the author—how does the author feel about the subject? I wait I’m a fool long ago I long for the past

What is America being. Personified: personified Giving human as in this song? Wife or prominent female figure qualities to A womannon something who runs a human brothel • What is your evidence? • Write a 5 -7 sentence paragraph drawing a conclusion and defending your response with at least one SPECIFIC example from the song.

Identify Opinions • Given the tone and personification, how does the artist feel about current America?

Phillis Wheatley • First African American in the United States to publish a book of poetry published. • Published in England first • Document had to be signed by men who had examined and found her to be worthy and “smart enough” to be a poet.

“To His Excellency, General George Washington” • Ode to George Washington. • America is personified as the goddess Columbia. – female counterpart of Christopher Columbus (District of Columbia, Columbia pictures, Columbia records etc. ) • Often depicted holding a liberty pole, propping up a shield of the United States, standing beside a bust or depiction of George Washington, or offering food to a bald eagle.

Personifying America Author Background Tone Main idea Styx Wheatley

Theme • Broad idea or message that is conveyed by a work. • What is one theme that we have already looked at?

How would you personify America? Positive • Queen/Princess • Well respected ts r e b celebrity Ro a i l u J : • Soldier c i f i c e p S • Mother/Father/ Caregiver Negative • Drunk n • Gambler a h o L y a s • Not respected d n i L : c i celebrity if c e S • p. Hacker • Thief

Your Turn • Define your idea of the American Dream and personify America. Thinking about current events and the two poems we looked at today, how would you personify America? Would she be the goddess that Wheatley sees or the “lady of questionable morals” Styx sees? Decide how you would like to personify her and write a poem based on your ideas. Remember to think about the American dream definition and what it means to you.