We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race and the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. Dead Poet's Society

So how do we find Meaning? We say whatever we want. A poem has as many meanings as it does readers (different words will carry different definitions/connotations and therefore there will be different responses) BUT

At this level, simply saying “This means nothing to me” won’t fly. Get into the practice of giving independent opinions informed by different interpretations and responding with knowledge While different interpretations are possible, you can be wrong if you are not anchored to the text.

Tips for Reading Poetry Read a lot of poetry Read a lot of poetry Think about how language is used Think about how language is used Think about the ideas contained in the poem Think about the ideas contained in the poem Read other people’s responses Read other people’s responses Read the poem aloud Read the poem aloud

Adopt a questioning attitude: What is this poem about? How is it written?

Talking about a Poem… Content Content Voice Form Voice Form Rhyme Mood Tone ImageryRhythm Tone ImageryRhythm The Poem

Content What is the poem about? Surface Meaning ‘Beneath the Surface’ Meaning

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.

Critical Interpretation 1 Frost’s poem is a thematic statement concerning one’s social commitments and obligations which are a unique part of the human condition. Individuals have no choice but to listen to their consciences and to respond dutifully. “The woods are lovely, dark and deep/ “The woods are lovely, dark and deep/ But I have promises to keep” But I have promises to keep”

Critical Interpretation #2 Frost’s poem is a thematic statement concerning a death wish on the part of the writer. The mood and diction attest to this reading, as do many symbols present within the text. “Miles to go before I sleep” Sleep = Death

Critical Interpretation #3 Frost’s poem is an allegory. The narrator is really Santa Claus, and numerous details attest to this. “darkest evening of the year” = Dec 21 Who else has promises to keep around this day and knows the location of each home?

Voice Who is the speaker of the poem?  the poet?  the poet?  a character?  a character?  a narrative figure other than the poet?  a narrative figure other than the poet? Who is the audience?  For whom is the poem intended?  For whom is the poem intended?  To whom is the poet speaking?  To whom is the poet speaking?

Imagery The true ‘meaning’ of a poem lies in the total effect that it has upon the reader The true ‘meaning’ of a poem lies in the total effect that it has upon the reader Draws on the reader’s intellectual and emotional experience Draws on the reader’s intellectual and emotional experience Imagery is of central importance to this Imagery is of central importance to this

What is an ‘image’? An image appeals to our senses (sight, hearing, taste, feel, or thoughts) An image appeals to our senses (sight, hearing, taste, feel, or thoughts) Used to understand more clearly what the poet wishes to convey Used to understand more clearly what the poet wishes to convey An image can be either literal, or non- literal An image can be either literal, or non- literal

Literal Imagery Describes something as it is seen through the eyes of the poet Describes something as it is seen through the eyes of the poet Describes something literally Describes something literally Eg. Upon Westminster Bridge

Non Literal Imagery (Figurative Language) Language that is not meant to be taken literally Language that is not meant to be taken literally Devices used by the poet that draws on your intellectual and emotional experience Devices used by the poet that draws on your intellectual and emotional experience Gives the ‘abstract’ a picture Gives the ‘abstract’ a picture Eg. Similes, Metaphors and Personification

Simile Definition: A comparison using “like”, “as”, “than”, “seems”, “resembles” Examples: “I wandered lonely as a cloud” “My mind is like jello”

Metaphor Definition: A comparison in which one thing is said to be another (An extended metaphor is when the metaphor is carried throughout the whole poem) Examples: “The liquid sun set behind the mountains” “All the world’s a stage/ And all the men and women merely players”

Personification Definition: Giving an inanimate object, animal, or abstract term human qualities Example: “Because I could not stop for death/ he kindly stopped for me”

Aural Imagery Onomatopoeia: the sound of the word mimics the sound to which it refers (e.g. buzz, crackle, blurt) Onomatopoeia: the sound of the word mimics the sound to which it refers (e.g. buzz, crackle, blurt) Cacophony: a harsh, unpleasant sound (e.g. kick, batter, gritty, dead) Cacophony: a harsh, unpleasant sound (e.g. kick, batter, gritty, dead) Euphony: the sound of a word that is particularly agreeable and the connotation is pleasant (e.g. chimes, melody, luminous) Euphony: the sound of a word that is particularly agreeable and the connotation is pleasant (e.g. chimes, melody, luminous) Alliteration: the neighboring words begin with the same letter or sound (e.g. Sally sat safely) Alliteration: the neighboring words begin with the same letter or sound (e.g. Sally sat safely) Assonance: similarity of vowel sounds (e.g. In silence deep the legions stream). Assonance: similarity of vowel sounds (e.g. In silence deep the legions stream). Consonance: repetition of consonant sounds (e.g. A springful of larks in a rolling cloud) Consonance: repetition of consonant sounds (e.g. A springful of larks in a rolling cloud)

How do we find meaning??? It’s not enough to be able to spot these images (Look Ma!) but to understand WHY the poet has used a particular image and be able to see HOW it works in the mind of the reader What is being said? How is it being said? What does it mean?

Diction Def’n: Choice of Words Denotation: dictionary definition of a word Connotation: feelings/emotions associated with a word

Look up the definition of the following words and then discuss their connotation… Control/dominate Control/dominate Aroma/smell Aroma/smell Chat/chatter Chat/chatter Childlike/Childish Childlike/Childish Leave/Abandon Leave/Abandon

Tone Definition: Tone is how the story is told - the voice the persona uses Created through features such as diction, syntax, rhythm, etc. Created through features such as diction, syntax, rhythm, etc. the tone gives the reader certain messages the tone gives the reader certain messages

Examples of Tone angrymatter of factreflective melancholyjoyfulbitter ironichumorouscalm wistfulgloomyplayful religioussorrowfulsarcastic