UNFOLDING A POEM
First step… Find out what the words mean Example: “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…”
Picture the actual literal level of meaning in the poem—who is actually doing what where?
Next… Note any figurative meanings— consider how imagery (e.g. metaphor) adds to the meaning of the poem
Also… Note how any sound devices help create the feeling or atmosphere of the poem
Some sound devices Consonance Assonance Rhyme Alliteration neighbouring words start with the same sound Example: “sweet sorrow” “wanted wear” “And dances with the daffodils” Consonance Repeating consonant sounds to create a coherent tone to emphasize certain words and feelings b c d f g h j k l m n p q r s t v w x y z “the monstrous anger of the guns” Assonance Repeating vowel sounds to create a coherent tone to emphasize certain words and feelings A E I O U Y “over the lonely road goes the horse” Rhyme Various types of rhyme: “sat” “fat” (single rhyme) “chilling” “killing” (double rhyme) “mournfully, scournfully” (triple rhyme) “filly” “filmy” (imperfect rhyme)
Last, but not least… Consider the structure of the poem: Is it divided into stanzas? How many? Is there a particular pattern to the stanzas? Eg. Rhyming couplets at the end? Is there a pattern to the structure? eg. repetition
Finally, Bringing all this together, consider the message of the poem, the theme What is the poet saying?