Questions on the U.S. Prison System Readings

Thank you everyone who was in class tonight for the great discussion of the prison readings. Thinking about what was discussed in class, please answer these two questions:

1) Why do we put so many people in prison and why is the proportion of the U.S. population behind bars so much higher than the rest of the world?

2) What needs to be changed about the U.S. system? Do you have any suggestions for how we can keep former convicts from returning to society rather than going back to prison?

Your answer for each question should be at least one paragraph. Use examples or support from the readings or from your own personal experience if possible. Please try to respond to the comments of at least of your classmates either directly or in your own post.

Reaction to Sylvia Plath's Poems - What is her legacy?

After watching the video on Plath's life in class and discussing her poems, you must have some theories or opinions on why Plath took her own life or what was troubling her so deeply.  Thinking about the poems "Daddy" and "Lady Lazarus" specifically--or any of her other poems, if you want to do some additional reading--how did her family and her past influence her writing? "Daddy" was one of the last poems she wrote--why do you think she chose her father as the subject? How do you think Plath wanted "Daddy" to be interpreted? How did Plath foreshadow her own death in "Lady Lazarus"? What messages or themes did Plath want to live on after her death?

Write at least two complete paragraphs as a response and please try to respond directly to at least one of your classmates' comments posted prior to your post.


Sylvia Plath documentary

Sylvia Plath reads "Daddy"

Sylvia Plath reads "Lady Lazarus"