1. Literary Types “Beware, Do Not Read This Poem”
LAP 4: Poetry
Literary Types
“Beware, Do Not Read This Poem”

2. “Beware: Do Not Read This Poem”
With a partner, reread the poem.
Answer the following questions:
With what does the woman surround herself?
What happens when the villagers break into the old woman’s house?
What does the speaker say happens to the readers of this poem?
What warning does the speaker give the readers of this poem?
What is the main theme of the poem? Fear? Isolation? Loss? Or greed?

3. One way to interpret the poem…
1. With what does the woman surround herself?
Mirrors
2. What happens when the villagers break into the old woman’s house?
The old woman disappears in the mirrors.
3. What does the speaker say happens to the readers of this poem?
They are consumed or swallowed up by the words of the poem.
4. What warning does the speaker give the readers of this poem?
The speaker tells readers not to resist the power of the poem.
5. What is the main theme of the poem? Fear? Isolation? Loss? Or greed?
Isolation