TP-CASTT TP-CASTT is a method for analyzing poetry. It takes you through some basic steps to help you break down and figure out a poem. There are seven steps to TP-CASTT. Each step focuses on just one aspect of the poem.
TP-CASTT T = Title Ponder the title before reading the poem.
Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, by Rich Accetta-Evans Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, Growing on your branches, bearing them down. Your springy sapling strength is overcome. You cannot keep your longest limbs From bending with the weight. They will brush their leafy ends Against the ground. But do not ask too soon to be relieved of guilt. If picked when green, this heavy fruit Is hard , sterile and sour. Let it grow til its season comes. Let it ripen, sweeten, soften. Then it will loosen its grip. And drop of itself to the waiting earth, Carrying seeds of a new resolve.
P = Paraphrase TP-CASTT Translate the poem into your own words Figure out if there is any sort of pattern or progression to the poem
Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, by Rich Accetta-Evans Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, Growing on your branches, bearing them down. Your springy sapling strength is overcome. You cannot keep your longest limbs From bending with the weight. They will brush their leafy ends Against the ground. But do not ask too soon to be relieved of guilt. If picked when green, this heavy fruit Is hard , sterile and sour. Let it grow til its season comes. Let it ripen, sweeten, soften. Then it will loosen its grip. And drop of itself to the waiting earth, Carrying seeds of a new resolve.
C = Connotation TP-CASTT Think about the deeper meaning of the poem Look for figurative language and figure out how those things effect the meaning of the poem Things to look for: simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, symbolism, point of view, rhythm, rhyme
Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, by Rich Accetta-Evans Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, Growing on your branches, bearing them down. Your springy sapling strength is overcome. You cannot keep your longest limbs From bending with the weight. They will brush their leafy ends Against the ground. But do not ask too soon to be relieved of guilt. If picked when green, this heavy fruit Is hard , sterile and sour. Let it grow til its season comes. Let it ripen, sweeten, soften. Then it will loosen its grip. And drop of itself to the waiting earth, Carrying seeds of a new resolve.
A = Attitude TP-CASTT Determine who the speaker is and who his/her audience might be Figure out both the speaker’s and the poet’s attitude (tone)
Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, by Rich Accetta-Evans Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, Growing on your branches, bearing them down. Your springy sapling strength is overcome. You cannot keep your longest limbs From bending with the weight. They will brush their leafy ends Against the ground. But do not ask too soon to be relieved of guilt. If picked when green, this heavy fruit Is hard , sterile and sour. Let it grow til its season comes. Let it ripen, sweeten, soften. Then it will loosen its grip. And drop of itself to the waiting earth, Carrying seeds of a new resolve.
TP-CASTT S = Shifts Note where the poem shifts and what it shifts from or to
Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, by Rich Accetta-Evans Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, Growing on your branches, bearing them down. Your springy sapling strength is overcome. You cannot keep your longest limbs From bending with the weight. They will brush their leafy ends Against the ground. But do not ask too soon to be relieved of guilt. If picked when green, this heavy fruit Is hard , sterile and sour. Let it grow til its season comes. Let it ripen, sweeten, soften. Then it will loosen its grip. And drop of itself to the waiting earth, Carrying seeds of a new resolve.
T = Title TP-CASTT Examine the title again, this time thinking about what it may mean in relation to the poem
Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, by Rich Accetta-Evans Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, Growing on your branches, bearing them down. Your springy sapling strength is overcome. You cannot keep your longest limbs From bending with the weight. They will brush their leafy ends Against the ground. But do not ask too soon to be relieved of guilt. If picked when green, this heavy fruit Is hard , sterile and sour. Let it grow til its season comes. Let it ripen, sweeten, soften. Then it will loosen its grip. And drop of itself to the waiting earth, Carrying seeds of a new resolve.
T = Theme TP-CASTT Determine what message or big idea the poet is trying to get across
Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, by Rich Accetta-Evans Right now, your guilt is heavy fruit, Growing on your branches, bearing them down. Your springy sapling strength is overcome. You cannot keep your longest limbs From bending with the weight. They will brush their leafy ends Against the ground. But do not ask too soon to be relieved of guilt. If picked when green, this heavy fruit Is hard , sterile and sour. Let it grow til its season comes. Let it ripen, sweeten, soften. Then it will loosen its grip. And drop of itself to the waiting earth, Carrying seeds of a new resolve.
You’ve just done a thorough analysis of the poem “Guilt!” Congratulations! You’ve just done a thorough analysis of the poem “Guilt!”