If communing with poets, novelists or madmen makes you want to settle in for the long winter, Chesapeake Forum has a literary journey or two in store starting Tuesday January 17th when instructor Bev Williams uses his extensive background teaching English Literature to turn the spotlight on William Faulkner’s short stories. To sign up for any of these courses, visit https://chesapeakeforum.org.
In his acceptance speed for the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949, Faulkner famously described his writing as “a life’s work in the agony and sweat of the human spirit …”
What were the old universal truths – the agony and sweat of the human spirit – that he felt such a duty to write about? In William Faulkner’s Fiction – Selected Short Stories, you’ll explore the nuances of Faulkner’s work in three (3) sessions, January 17, 24, 31 from 1-2:30 PM. HYBRID (in-person at the Peachblossom YMCA, ZOOM or recording). $35
Another writer who was arguably in agony most of the time was Edgar Allen Poe – chronically broke, alcoholic, and deeply melancholy. Chris Semtner, an internationally recognized expert on Poe and curator of the Edgar Allen Poe Museum, will lead a virtual tour of the Museum in Edgar Allen Poe’s Life and Legacy on Thursday, January 26th. Semtner will look at the events that shaped Poe’s life and ask why are we still reading Poe’s works? Who was the man behind such classic work as The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart? Edgar Allen Poe’s Life and Legacy is one (1) session Thursday January 26th from 1-2:30 PM. $15. ZOOM only.
While Poe may be best know for his horror stories, he considered himself a poet and not surprisingly, poetry is the subject of Poetry Matters! Contemporary Poems with John Miller Ph.D., and Michael Valliant, starting January 26th.Poe will not be among the contemporary poets, however as the instructors have chosen to focus on three female poets of color, all current or former US Poet Laureates: Rita Dove, Joy Harjo, Tracy Smith.
Join the class for a lively discussion of what these poets have to say about life on Mars, the “trail of tears,” and a “playlist for the apocalypse.”Before each class session, Michael and John will send participants “Thoughts for Consideration” to help guide the reading of each poem. Three (3) sessions, Thursday, January 26, February 2, 9. ZOOM. $35.
To register for any of these classes and to see what else is on the roster, visit https://chesapeakeforum.org. Chesapeake Forum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing lifelong learning opportunities for residents of the Eastern Shore. To receive Chesapeake Forum’s newsletter, please send an email to [email protected] with your name and contact email.
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