- Which images from Lameris poem resonate most with you, and why?
The beginning really sticks with me because it’s not like focusing on some big thing but only little things.
- What is the poet’s argument here? What does she want us, the reader, to consider? and what is your response to her argument(s)?
The poet’s argument is about how we don’t do these little acts of kindness enough to each other because we aren’t in a tight knit community anymore. I agree with them but I would add that we in our American society don’t have enough time because we are a fast and on the move society.
- In what ways does “Small Kindnesses” interact with ideas or themes from prior course readings? Be specific as you make multiple connections.
I think it does majorly because all of our themes have been empathy and kindness and interaction between communities. Like with Brian Doyle’s short story and how there were little simple acts of kindness given and shown for the hawk and the community.
- In what ways is this a “pandemic poem”? How does your experience living through the Covid-19 pandemic impact your understanding of this poem?
I think my experience with covid has made me more concerned for others’ health and well being. And this poem made me think about empathy and how helping others and even saying “bless you” has its own historical meaning of being like well. Especially living with someone who is at extreme risk of getting sick and possibly dying from covid and who is just like in the last few weeks finally leaving the house, I think patience and kindness and empathy all add and interact with each other.
- Read the poem aloud to someone not in our class, or send it to a loved one, then have a brief discussion about it. Write a couple specific sentences describing the interaction (including the person’s initial reaction).
My mom’s reaction was that she said she likes it because it’s about the little kindness people still give to each other, especially if it’s in New England.
