English 102 (Writing About Literature) Research Guide: Bohn poetry criticism
Recommended Databases / Reference Sources
Poetry criticism tip: Remember that poems are rarely published individually, and are most often published in collections! If there is limited criticism on the exact poem you are looking for, take a look at criticism/context sources relating to the poetry collection as a whole.
- Sherman Alexie - "The Powwow at the End of the World" - Collection is The Summer of Black Widows.
- Harryette Mullen - "We Are Not Responsible" - Collection is Sleeping with the Dictionary.
- Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
This is a collection of encyclopedias and other reference sources. Great database for finding background information on the concepts of hegemony, marginalization, and acculturation. - Literature Resource Center This link opens in a new windowThe library's largest literature database. There is limited criticism of the specific poems, but the database can also be used to find biographical information if your author's work is influenced by life experiences. Use the Advanced Search for best results. In this database, the author of a work of literature is referred to as a Person. Essays from Dictionary of Literary Biography are particularly good.
- Poetry for StudentsUse this source for "The Powwow at the End of the World."
- Salem Online This link opens in a new windowEbook collection, including reference resources, including titles in history, science, health, literature, & careers
- MagillOnLiterature Plus This link opens in a new windowUse the Advanced Search for best results. In this database, the author of a work of literature is referred to as the Subject Author, because they are the subject of the criticism.
- ProQuest Ebook Central This link opens in a new windowDiverse collection of over 200,000 electronic books.
Possible keywords
Acculturation
Colonialism
Dominant culture
Exploitation
Hegemony
Native Americans -- Forced removal
Oppression
Where do I find books?
Use the Book & Media Catalog to find print books and e-books.
Some tips:
- Use one or two main words to find your topic.
- When you've found a book, click AVAILABILITY to see where the book is located.
- To read e-books off-campus, you'll need to log-in using your Carroll info.
- Frustrated or stuck? Ask a librarian for help!
Suggested articles
"Entries on a Post-Language Poetics in Harryette Mullen's Dictionary" - In-depth poetic analysis of Mullen's collection "Sleeping with the Dictionary."
"Overview: 'The Powwow at the End of the World'" (Poetry for Students) - Brief summary and sentence-by-sentence analysis.
"The Powwow at the End of the World" (Poetry for Students) - Includes a summary, detailed critical analysis, and suggestions for further reading.
"Sleeping with the Dicitonary" - Brief critical analysis from a peer-reviewed journal.
"'Word Plays Well with Others': Harryette Mullen's Sleeping with the Dictionary" - Brief review and analysis of "Sleeping with the Dictionary."