Analyzing PoetryAnalyzing Poetry.doc

How to Analyze Poetry Poetry is a compact language that expresses complex feelings. To understand the multiple meanings of a poem, readers must examine its words and phrasing from the perspectives of rhythm, sound, images, obvious meaning, and implied meaning. Readers then need to organize responses to the verse into a logical, point-by-point explanation. A good beginning involves asking questions that apply to most poetry. Context of the Poem Clear answers to the following questions can help establish the context of a poem and form the foundation of understanding: Who wrote the poem? Does the poets life suggest any special point of view, such as a political affiliation, religious sect, career interest, musical talent, family or personal problems, travel, or handicap When was the poem written and in what country? Knowing something about the poets life, times, and culture helps readers understand whats in a poem and why. Does the poem belong to a particular period or literary movement? Style of the Poem Is it an epic, a long poem about a great person or national hero? Is it a lyric, a short, musical verse? Is it a narrative, a poem that tells a story? Title of the Poem Is the titles meaning obvious? Does it imply multiple possibilities? Is there historical significance to the title? Opening and Closing Lines of the Poem Does the poet place significant information or emotion in these places? Does the poet intend to leave a lasting impression by closing with a particular thought? Speaker of the Poem Who is the speaker? To whom is he speaking? Does the voice speak in first person? Does the speaker talk directly to a second person? Is the voice meant to be universal? Mood and Tone of the Poem What is the mood of the poem? Is it cheerful or jolly like limericks? Is it mysterious, provocative, zany, ominous, festive, fearful, or brooding? Does the mood change within the body of the work? Why does the mood shift? Where does the shift begin? What is the poets