Teacher Guide

Poem [Lana Turner has collapsed!] Lesson Plan

Introduction to Poem [Lana Turner has collapsed!]

This lesson plan covers three poems by Frank O'Hara: "The Day Lady Died," "Poem [Lana Turner has collapsed!]," and "Why I Am Not a Painter." Each poem exemplifies O'Hara's conversational style and wry, sometimes-ironic and sometimes-sincere tone, both characteristic of the New York School, of which he is one of the most prominent members. "The Day Lady Died" details the speaker's experience right before and while learning of the death of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday. In "Poem [Lana Turner has collapsed!]," the speaker, rushing to meet a friend in bad weather, sees a headline about a movie star and reacts to it; "Why I Am Not a Painter" contemplates what the speaker considers the...

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