1. Poetry
Ms. Turner
English I

2. Sonnets
There are two different types of sonnets: The Italian/Petrachan sonnet and the English/Shakespearean sonnet.
Characteristics of the English sonnet
14 line poem
Consists of 3 four-line quatrains and 1 couplet
Written in iambic pentameter
The most common rhyme scheme is abab cdcd efef gg
Traditionally, English sonnets are focused on the topic of love and on celebrating the timelessness of writing.

3. Title Paraphrase Connotation Attitude Shift Theme
TPCASTT is an ACRONYM for…
Title
Paraphrase
Connotation
Attitude
Shift
Theme
It is a method used by our high schools to help us understand, appreciate, and communicate about poetry and the power of words.

4. 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.

5. Vocabulary Review
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
Think of the denotative and connotative meanings of words such as home, mother, love, peace, friend, etc.

6. TPCASTT Practice Write the following title and author in your notes: “Once by the Pacific” by Robert Frost

7. Title: What predictions can you make about the poem from the title
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?

8. Title: What predictions can you make from the title?
The poem might be simply about the Pacific ocean. Is it about some memory the author has or some special feelings he has about going to the beach?
(now read the poem)

9. “Once by the Pacific” by Robert Frost
The shattered water made a misty din. Great waves looked over others coming in, And thought of doing something to the shore That water never did to land before. The clouds were low and hairy in the skies, Like locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes. You could not tell, and yet it looked as if The shore was lucky in being backed by cliff, The cliff in being backed by continent;  It looked as if a night of dark intent Was coming, and not only a night, an age. Someone had better be prepared for rage. There would be more than ocean-water broken Before God's last Put out the Light was spoken.

10. Title: What predictions can you make from the title. Read the poem
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?

11. Title: What predictions can you make from the title. Read the poem
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 Pacific ocean is going to destroy something. The theme may have something to do with the power of nature or the tragedy of destruction.

12. Paraphrase: Describe what happens in the poem, in your own words.

13. Paraphrase: Describe what happens in the poem, in your own words.
The waves crashed loudly on the shore. The waves are tall and are thinking about destroying the land in a way they never have before. The clouds are low and wispy. The storm seems so powerful that it looks like the shore is lucky to have the support of the inland. The raging storm looks like it will last a long time (an age). The storm won’t just break the water on the shore – it will break/destroy everything.

14. Connotation: What might the poem mean beyond the literal level
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.

15. “Once by the Pacific” by Robert Frost
The shattered water made a misty din. Great waves looked over others coming in, And thought of doing something to the shore That water never did to land before. The clouds were low and hairy in the skies, Like locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes. You could not tell, and yet it looked as if The shore was lucky in being backed by cliff, The cliff in being backed by continent;  It looked as if a night of dark intent Was coming, and not only a night, an age. Someone had better be prepared for rage. There would be more than ocean-water broken Before God's last Put out the Light was spoken.

16. Connotation: What might the poem mean beyond the literal level
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.
The poem might mean that the crashing waves and oncoming storm remind the speaker of the end of the world.
There is a simple rhythm in the rhyming couplet structure and use of iambic pentameter. They rhythm may be connected to the rhythmic sound of waves crashing on a shore.
The use of the word “shattered” in line one suggests the sound of breaking glass. This helps the reader imagine how loudly the waves are crashing on the shore and, by extension, how powerful the storm is.
Rich imagery is created by the use of devices such as personification and simile. Nature is personified in the poem with “looked” and “thought”. Nature is not a passive entity; it cruelly chooses to be destructive.
“Put out the Light” is a Biblical allusion to the creation of the universe. The quote reverses the original reference (“Let there be Light!”) to suggest an ending (an apocalypse) instead of a beginning.

17. Attitude: Describe the tone of the poem
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).

18. Attitude: Describe the tone of the poem
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 tone of the poem seems to be somber, pessimistic, fearful, foreboding, apocalyptic.

19. Shift: Is there a shift (a change) in the tone or speaker of the poem
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?

20. Shift: Is there a shift (a change) in the tone or speaker of the poem
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 occurs in line 10. Lines 1-9 describe what the ocean is currently doing; Lines theorize about what might come next. We also shift from a somber tone to a more fearful one.

21. Title: Look at the title again
Title: Look at the title again. Have your original ideas about the poem changed? How? What do you think the title means now?

22. Theme: What is the overall theme of the poem?
What insight, understanding, lesson, or truth are we supposed to have after reading this poem?

23. Theme: What is the overall theme of the poem?
What insight, understanding, lesson, or truth are we supposed to have after reading this poem?
The poem teaches us that we should respect the raw power wielded by nature. Nature is symbolic of an even greater power that can both create life yet also destroy it.

24. Closing Thoughts on the TPCASTT Method
Doing a TPCASTT poem analysis will help you turn your observations into meaningful discussions or writing. You have noticed the details - now you can put them together and discuss the poem on a much deeper and meaningful level.

25. “Once by the Pacific” Questions
What is the rhyme scheme of this poem?
How can you tell that this poem is a sonnet? You should have at least 3 answers.
Reread lines 2-6. What two forces of nature seem to be human and alive? This is an example of what literary device?
What is the mood of the poem? What words and images help reveal the poem’s mood?
The poem ends with an allusion to the Biblical story of the creation of the universe. What is an allusion and how does this allusion impact the meaning of the poem?