LITR 5731: Seminar in American Multicultural Literature

Poetry Presentation, spring 2006

Thursday, 9 February

Poetry reader / discussion leader: Karen Daniel

Biographical background:

• Former poet Laureate of the U.S. and current Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• 1987 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry and numerous other honors.
• Born Akron, Ohio in 1952
• Lived in Germany with her German-born husband and his family

“Poem in Which I Refuse Contemplation” combines multiple voices to show diverse perspectives on ordinary, everyday life. 

In the poem, Dove explores the differences between her life in Germany, living in her mother-in-law’s house, and her former life in the United States.  She subtly integrates her memories of home and her memories of being 10 and with her now deceased cousin with a letter from home. 

Objectives:

I have to admit to having some trouble relating classroom objectives to this poem. 

To some degree it fits 1c—alternative literary strategies—double language and remembering the past. 

There is also some reference to objective 3 in that Dove goes to Germany continue her “dream” and while she is gone her cousin’s “American Dream” is cut short but a violent death. 

Read Poem

Discussion:

Dove uses multiple voices in this poem.  What voices do you hear when reading it and what does each add to the depth of the poem? 

Dove brings up her femininity in discussing her body.  Do you think her poem is more about race or gender issues? 

Her mother switches quickly from discussing the murder of her cousin in D.C. to discussing the family garden.  Why do you think Dove did that?  Do you think there is symbolism in his murder taking place in the nation’s capital?