NOTES AND QUESTIONS For Biography see page 445. Discussion. 1. Tell what you know of the poet that fitted him to write of Lincoln's character and achievements. 2. In this poem the Union is compared to a ship; who is the captain of the ship? 3. What fate befalls the captain, and at what stage of the voyage? 4. What "port" has won"? 6. Point out been reached? 5. What is "the prize we sought and words of rejoicing and of sorrow in the last stanza. 7. What parts of the poem impress you with the deep personal grief of the poet? 8. This poem put into words the nation's deep grief at the time of Lincoln's death; do you think this accounts for the wide popularity of the poem? 9. Find in the Glossary the meaning of: weather'd; rack; exulting. 10. Pronounce: bouquet. Class Reading. Bring to class and read, "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloomed," Whitman, describing the journey of the train bearing the body of the martyred President from Washington to Springfield, Illinois; "A 'Lost' Portrait of Lincoln" (in The Youth's Companion, November 25, 1920). IN FLANDERS FIELDS JOHN D. MCCRAE In Flanders fields the poppies blow 15 Take up our quarrel with the foe! 15 NOTES AND QUESTIONS Biography. John D. McCrae (1872-1918), a distinguished physician, was born in Canada of Scotch parents. In 1914 he entered the World War as an artilleryman. The next year, after the Battle of Ypres, he was placed in charge of the General Hospital at Boulogne. Here he remained until January 28, 1918, when he died from pneumonia. Just before his death he was appointed Consulting Physician to the British Armies in France. John McCrae wrote "In Flanders Fields" during the lulls in the Battle of Ypres, and it was published, without any signature, in Punch, an English magazine, December 8, 1915. It expressed the soldiers' feeling so beautifully that it immediately became popular both in the army and among those at home. Discussion. 1. Tell in your own words the scene which the poet describes in the first five lines. 2. The poppy is an emblem of sleep; what significance does it have in this poem? 3. What does the poet bid us do? 4. What was the "torch" mentioned in the second stanza? 5. What do you think was the motive which inspired Lieutenant-colonel McCrae to write this poem? 6. On page 20 you were told that some poems are treasured "for their musical rhythm and the charm of their language”; point out the qualities that make this poem pleasing to you. 7. What do you notice that is unusual about the rime in this poem? AMERICA'S ANSWER R. W. LILLARD Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead. Where once his own lifeblood ran red. Fear not that ye have died for naught. Ten million hands will hold it high, And Freedom's light shall never die! NOTES AND QUESTIONS Biography. "America's Answer" was written by R. W. Lillard of New York after the death of Lieutenant-colonel McCrae, the author of "In Flanders Fields." It was printed in the New York Evening Post as a fitting response to the sentiment expressed in Dr. McCrae's poem. Discussion. 1. Why does the poet say that the "Flanders dead" may now rest in peace? 2. Who took up the struggle? 3. Why does the poet say that the heroes of Flanders have not "died for naught"? 4. Do you think this answer is a fitting response to the stirring poem that precedes it? Give reasons. 5. In the Introduction to Part III, page 219, you read that we owe much to those who gave their lives to leave us our "inheritance of freedom"; will future generations of Americans owe a similar debt to those who gave their lives in the World War to uphold the “torch” mentioned in this poem? 6. From your reading of the selections in the group called "Love of Country," mention several ideas you have gained that show why you should love your homeland. Class Reading. Bring to the class and read "America, a Beacon Light of Peace," D'Annunzio; "A Sight in Camp in the Daybreak Gray and Dim," "As Toilsome I Wandered Virginia's Woods," "Ashes of Soldiers," and "For You, O Democracy," Whitman A REVIEW What picture does the word "America" bring to your mind? Probably to most of us it is a composite picture made up of cities and towns, of great tracts of land, of mountains and rivers; made up, too, of milllons of people, young and old, carrying on their share of the world's work. Historical incidents help to fill in the background of the picture; and the ideals that have actuated the men and women add glory to the picture. Read again what is said of this picture in the Introduction on pages 295 and 296. Name the five units that compose Part IV. How do the selections in the unit called "Early America" help to fill in your picture of the homeland? Tell briefly what the selections in each of the other four units add to your picture. How do the descriptions of American scenes by Hawthorne, Lanier, Dickson, and Irving differ from those found in your geography? Which of these authors are humorous in their descriptions? Find examples of their humor. Name four American writers noted for their humor. Find passages that show their humor to be delicate and subtle rather than coarse and obvious. Irving began his literary career by writing humorous squibs for a New York newspaper; do you know the name of the man who edits the joke column in the newspaper that you read? What part de cartoons play in furnishing fun for the modern newspaper reader? Do some cartoons do more than merely provide fun? Name some of the well-known characters created by American cartoonists. Mention some of the wellknown moving picture actors who make America laugh. What service do the fun-makers render a country? From your own observations, would you say that "the spirit of laughter" is a strong American characteristic? Which of the selections that picture America at work did you 479 enjoy most? What different kinds of workers did you learn about in your library reading suggested in Part IV? In what sense are all these workers "makers of the flag"? We think of our great industries as the expression of Americanism; can you show that honest work is a basis of good citizenship? Show that both the planner and the worker are necessary. Which selection in this group has for its theme efficiency in work? What did the reading of this selection do for you? Select the poems in the group called "Love of Country" in which this love has expressed itself in action. Which of the four flag selections has the greatest historical interest? Which is the most thrilling? Which selections deal with great American patriots who expressed their love of country in service for America? In what ways may young Americans express their love of country in times of peace? Quote the lines from Oliver Wendell Holmes found on page 293. Explain the fitness of this sentiment as an introduction to Part IV. Show that the picture on page 294 is particularly suited to the group of selections in Part IV. Discuss in class the appropriateness of the full page pictures together with the quotations that introduce the other three Parts of this book. What quotations from memory can you make from this year's reading? What library reading have you done this year? Make a list of the titles and authors. In what way did you find the Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature helpful? Show that you have made progress this year in silent reading. Name three selections that have especially brought you the three joys of reading. Make a list of the book reviews that have been made to the class during the year, placing a star before those that were particularly interesting or helpful. Which theme topics of the year brought out the most interesting discussion? Which of the "problems" suggested in the notes of this book proved most interesting to you? |