Clare Rossini - Teachers Make a Difference - Jane Cooper & Don Justice

The speaker reflects on their upbringing in a working-class neighborhood near a prairie, where they learned valuable life lessons from nature. They discuss the influence of two key mentors from the University of Iowa Writers Workshop: Jane Cooper, who encouraged them to find their voice and overcome self-doubt, and Donald Justice, who emphasized the importance of meaning and craft in poetry. These mentors shaped the speaker's understanding of the connection between technique and truth in writing.

What did the narrator learn from their time spent in the field near their home?

• The importance of being rooted and immersed in nature

• How to cultivate a successful farm

• The art of butterfly catching

• The history of St. Paul, MN

How did Jane Cooper influence the narrator's approach to life and work?

• By encouraging them to live fully and persist in their work

• By teaching them to focus solely on technical skills

• By suggesting they write only for publication

• By advising them to avoid writing altogether

What was Donald Justice's view on the role of poetry in civilization?

• Poetry is merely a form of entertainment

• Poetry is less important than scientific discoveries

• Poetry plays a crucial role in civilization

• Poetry should only be appreciated by poets

According to Donald Justice, what is essential for capturing the truth in poetry?

• Avoiding any form of structure

• Writing as many poems as possible

• Getting the music of the poem right

• Using complex vocabulary

What did the narrator admire about Donald Justice's approach to poetry?

• His ability to write quickly

• His focus on quantity over quality

• His perfectionism and ambition

• His disregard for meaning