TP-CASTT Poetry Analysis 1/09 Poetry Unit: TP-CASTT - Blume 1 repetition! onomatopoeia!
TP-CASTT is an ACRONYM for… T itle P araphrase C onnotation A ttitude S hift T itle T heme It is a method used by our high schools to help us understand, appreciate, and communicate about poetry and the power of words. 2
First, let’s review some vocabulary: literal = means “exact” or “not exaggerated”. Literal language is language that means exactly what is said. Most of the time, we use literal language. figurative = the opposite of literal language. Figurative language is language that means more than what it says on the surface. Often used by poets and other writers. 3
Review vocabulary, continued: denotation = the dictionary definition of a word or phrase connotation = a meaning suggested by a word or phrase, in addition to its exact (denotative) meaning; can be the emotional feelings associated with the word denotativeconnotative Think of the denotative and connotative meanings of words such as home, mother, love, peace, friend, etc. 4
Write the following title and author on your TP-CASTT handout The Butterfly by Pavel Friedmann 5
Title: What predictions can you make about the poem from the title? What are your initial (first) thoughts about the poem? What might be the theme of the poem? 6
Title: What predictions can you make from the title? The poem might be simply about a butterfly or somone seeing a butterfly. Is it about some memory the author has or some special feelings he has about a butterfly? (now read the poem) 7
The Butterfly By: Pavel Friedmann He was the last. Truly the last. Such yellowness was bitter and blinding Like the sun’s tear shattered on stone. That was his true colour. And how easily he climbed, and how high, Certainly, climbing, he wanted To kiss the last of my world. I have been here for seven weeks, ‘Ghettoized’. Who loved me have found me, Daisies call to me, And the branches also of the white chestnut in the yard. But I haven’t seen a butterfly here. That last one was the last one. There are no butterflies, here in the ghetto. 8
9 Title: What predictions can you make from the title? Read the poem. What are your initial (first) thoughts about the poem? What might be the theme of the poem?
It seems like the author is saddened by an occurrence. Maybe the theme is loss of hope or loss of innocence. 10
Paraphrase: Describe what happens in the poem, in your own words. 11
Paraphrase: Describe what happens in the poem, in your own words. The poet/speaker is in a ghetto during a period of time in history that is horrible. He is watching a butterfly fly through the place he lives. He talks about all the things he misses and that the lack of beauty is harmful. 12
Connotation: What might the poem mean beyond the literal level? Find examples of imagery, metaphors, similes, personification, symbolism, idioms, hyperbole, alliteration, rhyme scheme, rhythm, etc. and think about their possible connotative meanings. Consider the emotional feelings that the words may give the reader. 13
Connotation: What might the poem mean beyond the literal level? Find examples of imagery, metaphors, similes, personification, symbolism, idioms, hyperbole, alliteration, rhyme scheme, rhythm, etc. and think about their possible connotative meanings. Consider the emotional feelings that the words may give the reader. There are multiple similes, hyperboles, and personification throughout the poem. The speaker talks of pieces of nature as if they are people….the butterfly becomes much more than just a butterfly….it becomes a symbol of all that is beautiful in his world and now it is gone. “Like the sun kissing the last of my world…” “Daisies call to me” 14
Attitude: Describe the tone of the poem. What is the poet’s attitude toward the subject of the poem? The speaker’s attitude? Find and list examples that illustrate the tone and mood of the poem (these show attitude). 15
Attitude: Describe the tone of the poem. What is the poet’s attitude toward the subject of the poem? The speaker’s attitude? Find and list examples that illustrate the tone and mood of the poem (these show attitude). The author seems to have wanted to give a beautiful description of a butterfly, but something will not allow him to finish it….the speaker tells us that he was mesmerized by this butterfly, but everytning changes….he is put somewhere that he was not before and his world seems to fall apart….there seem to be something final in his first statement. “that butterfly was the last.” “daisies call to me” “white chestnut branches” 16
Shift: Is there a shift (a change) in the tone or speaker of the poem? Where does the shift happen in the poem? What does it shift from and to? 17
Shift: Is there a shift (a change) in the tone or speaker of the poem? Where does the shift happen in the poem? What does it shift from and to? The shift happens ½ way through. The speaker is talking about a butterfly changing his world…and then his world is changed (he has hope)… he is “ghettoized” and butterflies don’t live there (so his hope has vanished). He seems to be happy about a memory and then saddened that it is not real any-more. 18
Title: Look at the title again. Have your original ideas about the poem changed? How? What do you think the title means now? 19
Title: Look at the title again. Have your original ideas about the poem changed? How? What do you think the title means now? Perhaps the butterfly symbolized “hope” and then when it is gone, it symbolized “false-hope” or the lack of it in the speaker’s life. 20
Theme: What is the overall theme of the poem? What insight, understanding, lesson, or truth are we supposed to have after reading this poem? 21
Theme: What is the overall theme of the poem? What insight, understanding, lesson, or truth are we supposed to have after reading this poem? 22
Doing a TP-CASTT poem analysis will help you turn your observations into meaningful discussions or writing. You have noticed the details - now can put them together so you can understand and talk about the poem much better. 23