PostSecret and Poe

After looking at the sample PostSecrets, why do you think so many people send these in? What's the appeal? Is this something you would consider doing?

After reading "Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Tell-Tale Heart," why do you think Poe is fascinated by stories about deep, dark secrets? Why is he such a popular American author? What does this say about American society?

Venturing Inside "The Fall of the House of Usher"

If you have made it through Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" without collapsing into your own pit of despair, congratulations. If not, my condolences. Either way, please respond to one or to both of the following questions:

What might the house symbolize?

What is Usher's illness?

As always, defend your response and show me your thinking. Hope you had a relaxing weekend.

For the Romantic in you...or not

Please remember that you have two choices for this blog:

(1) Analyze the Longfellow poem given in class ("The Cross of Snow" or "The Tide Rises the Tide Falls"). Your interpretation should have a thesis and should be backed up with the techniques used in class on Wednesday.

(2) Compose your own Romantic poem using Romantic subject matter and form.

Please post by 10 pm Thursday night.