Tuesday, 11 April

Poem: Michael S. Glaser, “Preparations for Seder,” UA 176

Poetry reader: Joanna Harlan

Michael S. Glaser was born in Chicago in 1943. Glaser received his B.A. from Denison University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Kent State University. He began teaching at St. Mary's College of Maryland in 1970. He lives in St. Mary's City with his wife, Kathleen, and is the proud father of five grown children. He has received many awards ranging from the Homer Dodge Endowed Award for Excellence in Teaching to the Poet Laureate of Maryland.

A few definitions:

Seder- The feast commemorating the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, celebrated on the first night or the first two nights of Passover

Schmaltz- Liquid fat, especially chicken fat

Matzoh balls- Jewish dumplings, usually served in chicken soup

 Cracklings- Small bits of schmaltz

Objective 2d

1^st generation-As she cooks, the poet’s grandmother feeds cracklings to the children at her side (lines 3-4). She is “clueless” of the ramifications that might come from eating pure chicken fat, however she is also seen as “heroic” in her overcoming the Jewish oppression of her time.

2^nd generation-This is seen as being the poet’s father. He is not only the little boy who awaited cracklings from his mother, but is also the man whose voice “[echoed]…warnings of carcinogens in the fat of animals” (lines 16-17). The poet’s father is part of a generation that is divided between traditional ideas and the realities of the New World.

3^rd generation-The poet, Michael Glaser, has assimilated comfortably into American ways. Not only do his father’s fears not phase his choices for meat, but his he actually “[wants] more” of this “succulent and dangerous” treat.

Questions

1. It is clear why the matzoh balls are “succulent and dangerous”, but why would he describe the “promised land” in such a way?
    
   
2. Why does it leave them “wanting more”?
   
    
3. What significance does the line: “Now the fat is plentiful, preserved with chemicals”? 

Bibliography

http://www.alsopreview.com/columns/intersections/jnonions.html

http://www.smcm.edu/users/msglaser/poet%5Flaureate/

http://www.csmd.edu/News/newstorage/archive_2004/nov/Michael%20Glaser.htm

http://dictionary.reference.com/