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Introduction/Proposal

 

      Using my free-write about Harry Potter as my artifact of origin, my first experiment idea is a sonnet collection comparing the world of Potter to the world we are in now. I will be sure to describe the world that Potter is in and a short (one line) description of what he did to maintain the real “magic”. The sonnet genre is very “magical” to me- the rhymes speak to me in a way that not all other types of writing do. I hope that others can find magic within the rhyming itself, which inspired me to use this genre for my first experiment. Through these poems I will question what magic truly is, and what it means to us. I will explain that I believe magic exists all around, even if we must look harder for it now than ever before! Additionally, I will seek to inspire others- the underdogs who feel burdened at times. Inspiration and self-discovery are two important goals I have set for these pieces.

      For these poems, I will use the sonnet format (10 syllables, 14 lines). I have never tried poetry before on my own, and I really want to dabble in this field of writing. I will make bold proclamations about why we can use The Harry Potter series as a model to improve the condition that we are all in. My audience for this piece, first and foremost, is those that are familiar with the Harry Potter series. It will help to have background with the series to fully capture and gain the message at hand. Secondly though, everyone needs magic in their life. We are all living through this pandemic. I think during this time, it is very important to keep pushing on and finding light even through the darkness. 

      Now is a great time to explore this piece because I can finally try poetry, while covering a topic that may be a sign of light for some. Culturally, it is very relevant because the pandemic is on everyone’s mind. Everyone has been affected by this- some more than others- but I think the conversation “fits in” to much of what societal talk is focused on currently. 

      Additionally, my second sonnet will be about Ron Weasley- because I think he is such a relatable character. In this sonnet, I hope to inspire the “underdogs”. With this poem, I do not think that one has to be as familiar with the Harry Potter series to take away something from this poem. I hope to explain the character of Ron Weasley in my poem so that those who have not read or watched the series can still gain a sense of who he is. Weasley was considered an underdog, being one of seven children. However, he prevailed with great success and had his beautiful best friends to keep him going! 

 

Genre Research

 

      Sonnets are one of the most popular types of poetry known to society. One of the most notable poets who wrote sonnets was none other than William Shakespeare himself. However, while Shakespeare wrote sonnets throughout the 1500s, inspiring writers such as Jericho Brown, still carry on the legacy of the sonnet genre today. The meaning of a sonnet has evolved overtime, mainly because Shakespeare turned it into a fixed poem scheme. Before, if something was noted as a “sonnet”, there were looser restrictions as to what that meant. Now, there are certain traits that all sonnets have in common.

      First, all sonnets are made up of fourteen lines. There are typically four sections within these lines. However, a strict defining feature of the sonnet is the fourteen line part. The four quatrains, or sections each have a specific rhyme scheme (four lines, four lines, four lines, two lines). The rhyme scheme can differ based on the poem. For instance, Shakespeare was known for his rhyme sequence as: abab, cdcd, efef, gg. Each grouping of rhymes corresponded to the quatrain that he used (1, 2, 3 and 4). 

      As noted before, the next specific regulation for a sonnet is having a strict rhyme scheme in general. The type of rhyme scheme chosen in the sonnet is up to the author, but sticking to it for the entirety of the fourteen lines is especially important. For instance, I personally connect best to rhymes with the: aa, bb, cc, dd, etc. I enjoy reading poems that have rhymes within the lines before/after. There is no specific need for a certain rhyme scheme, but the rhyme scheme I stated above is denoted as a couplet rhyme scheme. This is a type of rhyme that can also be found in a sonnet.

      Lastly, a notable trait of sonnets are the iambic pentameter that they follow. This iambic pentameter contains ten syllables per line, and alternates between long and short (stressed and unstressed) syllables. The stress of the syllables can vary per word, and many of the examples can be found in a variety of Shakespeares’ poems. One example from Macbeth:

 

As calling home our exiled friends abroad (Shakespeare)

 

      As can be seen above, there is an alternation between the syllable stress. That being said, while writing sonnets it is important to keep that stress in mind. Especially, while reading the poem as one writes it.

      Jericho Brown, as mentioned earlier, is a notable example of a modern-day poet. He writes to express modern day issues, such as in his most famous work The Tradition. In this collection, he writes to question why as a society, we are all used to the fear that we must face everyday. He makes bold, important proclamations that the audience will resonate with. After reading his inspiration for writing The Tradition, it truly allowed me to understand why the form of poetry is so touching. It allows the reader to understand and feel something in a format that is atypical and different from a novel. In a sense, Brown writing The Tradition (the ugly traditions that we have become so accustomed to) in a non-traditional way of writing (compared to a historical nonfiction book, for instance) is profound irony in itself. Brown inspires so many writers, and I hope to do the same one day.

      Since I am writing about magic and Harry Potter’s journey to his new world as we try to navigate through ours, I will be sure to keep these important characteristics in mind, while making my poems feel personal to me. I must find a flow that works with the rhymes I want to incorporate. Sticking to the format of a sonnet is quite important, but it is equally as important to express and relay the themes of finding hidden “magic” around too. Finding a balance between the two will be a great challenge, but hopefully, I can look to the great writers of the past and present to inspire my writing.

 

References

Brown, Jericho. “Poet: Jericho Brown.” JerichoBrown, Retrieved February 23, 2021, from www.jerichobrown.com/.  

Couplet - definition and examples OF couplet in poetry. (2021, January 06). Retrieved February 11, 2021, from https://literarydevices.net/couplet/ 

Jamieson, L. (2020, January 24). What is a sonnet? Retrieved February 11, 2021, from https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-sonnet-2985266

Shakespeare's sonnet Sequence. (n.d.). Retrieved February 11, 2021, from https://sites.udel.edu/britlitwiki/shakespeares-sonnet-sequence/#:~:text=Shakespeare's%20sonnets%20are%20composed%20of,sonnet%3A%20abab%20cdcd%20efef%20gg.

 

Sketch (as a full project)

 

      As a full project, this would be a collection of poems. I planned to use various rhyme schemes including: aabb, ccdd, eeff, gg, and abba, cddc, effe, gg. I envision using these rhyme schemes because I believe they sound swift and smooth, while transitioning into new ideas. As far as the quatrains go, I would divide my poems up into the four different quatrains (similarly to the Shakespearean format). The first poem of the collection would be called “Where is the Magic”. In this poem, it would be a reiteration of the free-write I wrote about Harry Potter. I would start by talking about magic. I would ask questions about if we can find any around us. The main point of this poem would be to compare our world to Harry Potter’s- how we have all been ripped out of our normal world and having to adjust to a new one. This is very similar to what happened to Harry Potter. The overall message of this poem would be that we need to look around and within- to lift one another- during this crazy time.

      The next poems in the collection would be specifically about each character- Ron, Hermione, and Harry. I plan to include a line in the first poem in the collection about how important it is to have friends such as them in your life- to have “your own versions” of Ron, Harry, and Hermione. Therefore, I want to focus specifically on each character- and how they are all relatable in one way or another. I believe that everyone can relate to Ron, Harry, and Hermione in some way. The three of them balance each other out so well- they bring out the best in one another. 

First, the poem about Ron would focus on his humility- his background and how that makes him soft and kind. Ron is the character who is the subtle hero- he is underestimated. He is one of seven children, which makes him overlooked at times, but he never fails to make others laugh. Ron is always there for his friends, he is the most supportive character and willing to step up to danger to save them. Loyalty is the main trait that defines Ron. I will also touch about him falling for Hermione, and how Ron shows his vulnerability at times too. 

      Next, the poem about Harry would focus on his bravery. Harry was so courageous through everything he faced. He was able to stand up against his main enemy and look him in the eye, knowing that he was who killed his own parents. This poem would discuss the danger of magic. Harry saw that first-hand when his parents were killed by his enemy. Because of Harry Potter’s background, I would want to focus on how magic can be both light and darkness wrapped up into one. We can all learn something from Harry- whether it be his bravery or curiosity. I would want to take the audience through his journey within the fourteen lines.

      Lastly, Hermione: wickedly intelligent and the daughter of two “muggle” parents who are dentists in the real world. She is often discriminated against in more ways than one (not only for being a woman, but also because she is a “mudblood”- the daughter of two regular non-wizard people). Hermione’s logic and level-headedness constantly saves them from danger. She is the definition of an amazing feminist- she was my constant role model and hero as a young girl. She inspires so many to stand up to evilness- bullies, darkness, etc. This poem would be included to inspire young girls to dream big, to never let a man dominate you simply because the “traditions” of society tell him that he can, and to never doubt your abilities. Hermione is such an important character to women all around because she is the one who rises. She rises above discrimination, rises above hate and evil, and rises above the traditional societal ways. These fourteen lines would be aimed at women- young and old- who dream.

      Overall, I believe that writing sonnets can and will be challenging! But, I think that this main idea/layout will be sensical based on the order of the four poems: first the poem about magic to introduce the theme, then Ron, followed by Harry, and lastly the Hermione sonnet to end on a strong, feminist point. These sonnets, I am hoping, will touch the audience. My goal is for the audience to walk away from these poems knowing a little more about themselves through the discovery of magic.

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Sample:

Where is the Magic?

 

To achieve magic, do we need a wand?

Or can we find it through those special bonds?

Harry and friends found magic without fail,

And I challenge us to the same great tale.

It can be something that unites us all,

But it can also cause us to greatly fall.

As a society we need to think,

Embrace it or stay on the crisis brink?

Like Harry, we are all in a new world.

Hugs, kisses, and smiles have all been hurled.

Amongst evil, the three friends found the good.

And now it is our turn, we truly could.

Find your Ron, Hermione and go journey.

You will see, the magic is within thee.

 

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Ron Weasley

Ron Weasley, a big heart and a brave boy,

He was not athletic in any way.

But his kindness, now that was here to stay

Anyone around him burst with pure joy.

He was one of seven, and times were hard

Bullied and made fun of for his old clothes,

Yet Ron was the best friend that Harry chose.

And their friendship, against all, was their guard.

Smitten with Hermione, Ron could be soft,

Not the best student, but a true defense.

He backed his friends up without hesitance.

And at that, the bullies in his life scoffed,

But not anyone who knew the true Ron.

He, the wizard version of hero Don Juan.

 

Reflection

      I truly enjoyed writing this poetry. I think it was a great challenge between balancing the constraints and regulations of the sonnet form with having a creative take on the story and themes I wanted to tell. When a good rhyme would come to my mind, it was equivalent to a “lightbulb” moment. I never had the chance to truly write poetry before, and I was so glad I had the opportunity to write it with something I loved- and messages I wanted to relay to my audience. 

      The most challenging part was getting the syllable amount to fit in each line. Having only ten syllables in each line, with poems of fourteen lines can be tough to convey everything I had to say. However, it helped make my poetry concise, which is something I typically struggle with as a writer. The four quatrains part of the poems was also a challenge. The world of sonnets, especially, has evolved so much over the years mainly due to William Shakespeare. Finding a balance between my own “rules” for the quatrains and rhyming patterns while also keeping in mind the work of Shakespeare, was another challenge that I enjoyed. I also loved the rhyming patterns I chose for each poem, because I thought it helped to break up the monotony, while still flowing with the tone of the sonnet. 

      If I went through this process again, I would give myself more time to marinate with the ideas and messages of each poem. I tried to make the poems relatable to everyone, but I believe I could have been more successful at this if I would have given myself more time to reflect and truly ask myself why I am writing these pieces. To ask myself: why are they are so important to talk about? Personally, this pandemic has been brutal. I am a social person by nature. I love smiling at others while walking down the street, striking up conversation with someone at the store, helping others carry groceries, and picking up things that have fallen for others. These are all little things that we have all lost from this pandemic. 

      The first poem was meant to lift one another by realizing that magic really does exist among us. The second poem was meant to tell a story about an underdog who was, in fact, a hero. I believe that everyone can relate to Ron Weasley in one way or another, and I was eager to tell his story. Overall, this process has been so valuable to me as a writer, and I hope that these sonnets are pieces you all can relate to in one way or another as well.

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Images from:

https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/harry-potter-bffs

https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/should-harry-and-hermione-have-ended-up-together-in-       harry/article_5cae8b82-a6ff-5893-b071-81a0b66c38ea.html