Category Archives: Listening to America

Listening to America, Episode 7: America’s Favorite Famous Hillbilly



Ella Grace, Class of 2023, explores the life, music, and legacy of singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. This episode is brought to you by Listening to America, a series developed by Mr. Miley’s American Literature students.


Listening to America, Season 7: Introduction



Listen as Mr. Miley’s junior English students take us back to our musical roots. Each student explores the life and work of a 20th century musician and traces their influence to a modern recording artist, all while connecting their themes to texts read in class including August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Amiri Baraka’s Dutchman, and Allen Ginsburg’s Howl.


Listening to America, Season 6: “The biggest help has been seeking out other veterans.”




Ethan, Class of 2023, interviews a veteran of the U.S. Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq while analyzing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues, and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” This episode is brought to you by Listening to America, a series developed by Mr. Miley’s American Literature students.


Listening to America, Season 6: “Soldiers don’t get to pick the wars that they fight in. Politicians do that.”




William, Class of 2023, interviews a veteran of the U.S. War in Afghanistan while analyzing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues, and Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology).” This episode is brought to you by Listening to America, a series developed by Mr. Miley’s American Literature students.


Listening to America, Season 6: “A few hours later we heard a big explosion.”




Cole, Class of 2023, interviews a World War II veteran while analyzing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues, and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Happening Brother.” This episode is brought to you by Listening to America, a series developed by Mr. Miley’s American Literature students.


Listening to America, Season 6: “I was really grateful and proud of the opportunity to serve my country.”




Anna, Class of 2023, interviews a veteran of the Vietnam War while analyzing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues, and Marvin Gaye’s “Right On.” This episode is brought to you by Listening to America, a series developed by Mr. Miley’s American Literature students.


Listening to America, Season 6: “You have to give your best. There is no room for any slack.”




Yash, Class of 2023, interviews a veteran of the Indo-Pakistani War while analyzing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues, and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going Onand “Inner City Blues.” This episode is brought to you by Listening to America, a series developed by Mr. Miley’s American Literature students.


Listening to America, Season 6: “As we are painfully aware, time travel is not possible.”



Emma, Class of 2023, interviews a U.S. veteran of the Gulf War while analyzing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues, and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Happening Brother.” This episode is brought to you by Listening to America, a series developed by Mr. Miley’s American Literature students.


Listening to America, Season 6: “Every man of draftable age was going to end up in the military.”




Alden, Class of 2023, interviews a veteran of the Vietnam War while analyzing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues, and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” This episode is brought to you by Listening to America, a series developed by Mr. Miley’s American Literature students.


Listening to America, Season 6: “Iraq was the greatest year of my life.”



Connor, Class of 2023, interviews a veteran of the U.S. War in Iraq while analyzing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues, and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” This episode is brought to you by Listening to America, a series developed by Mr. Miley’s American Literature students.