1. 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.

2. TP-CASTT
T = Title
Ponder the title before
reading the poem.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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)

9. 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.

10. TP-CASTT
S = Shifts
Note where the poem shifts and what it shifts from or to

11. 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.

12. T = Title TP-CASTT Examine the title again, this time
thinking about what it may mean in
relation to the poem

13. 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.

14. T = Theme TP-CASTT Determine what message or big idea
the poet is trying to get across

15. 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.

16. You’ve just done a thorough analysis of the poem “Guilt!”
Congratulations!
You’ve just done a thorough analysis of the poem “Guilt!”