Heather Ale (1890)
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94)
In groups of 3-4:
Read out the poem in your group. Take turns, one stanza each
What goes on in the poem – the plot – the action – the development.
What is the father's point at the end of the poem?
Each group has been assigned two stanzas:
rephrase the content of the stanzas in your own words – in detail
explain in detail what goes on in the stanzas
pick a quote – a line or two – that says something significant. Explain it.
Read out and comment your two stanzas in class.
General questions:
what words can you use to describe this poem?
epic (: An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero)
lyric (: expresses subjective thoughts and feelings)
romantic (Romanticism: Literary, artistic, and philosophical movement that began in Europe in the 18th century and lasted roughly until the mid-19th century. Romanticism emphasized the individual, the subjective, the irrational, the imaginative, the personal, the spontaneous and the emotional. Among its attitudes were a deepened appreciation of the beauties of nature; a general exaltation of emotion over reason and of the senses over intellect; a preoccupation with the genius, the hero, and the exceptional figure; a consuming interest in folk culture, national and ethnic cultural origins, and the medieval era; and a predilection for the exotic, the remote, the mysterious, the weird, the occult, the monstrous, the diseased, and even the satanic)
dramatic (: impressive, sudden and often surprising; exciting; connected with drama: A prose or verse composition, especially one telling a serious story, that is intended for representation by actors impersonating the characters and performing the dialogue and action.)
sensitive
sentimental (: Characterized or swayed by sentiment; affectedly or extravagantly emotional; resulting from or colored by emotion rather than reason or realism; appealing to the sentiments, especially to romantic feelings: sentimental music)
what impression of the Scots does the poem convey?
have fun! nicolai