Poetry Analysis

Notes and Questions

Understanding and appreciating poetry is difficult for many students. The vocabulary, similes, metaphors, figurative language, allusions, structure of the lines, and use of symbolism combine to create a challenge for students. Part of the problem with understanding poetry is that most students dont read it out loud. Poetry is meant to be heard. A second problem with the understanding of poetry is that most students expect to understand the poem the first time they read it. Many times after the first reading of a poem, students wont understand it completely. They may pick up the general idea and a few of the literary elements but a deeper analysis requires more readings. Below is a list of questions that students may use to help analyze a poem. Surface Level You can develop an understanding of the surface level of a poem by asking several basic questions. Who is the speaker or speakers? Who are the characters in the poem? What is the subject or situation in the poem? What are the events in the poem? When do the events in the poem take place? Where do the events in the poem take place?

Deeper Level You can develop a deeper understanding of a poem by asking several questions about how the poem is written. This requires that you look at both the structure and the content of the poem. Is there a rhyme scheme? If so, what is it? Does it fit any of the patterns you have been taught? How is the poem divided? Does it have multiple stanzas or just one? Are there any unfamiliar words? If so, define them. What kind of vocabulary does the poet use? Conversational? Informal? Formal? Are the sentences and lines in normal word order or are they in inverted word order? Are there repetitions or patterns in the poem? Are certain words or phrases repeated? Are all the stanzas divided the same way? Does the poem ask a question and then provide an answer? Are there examples of figurative language and imagery? (similes, metaphors, assonance, hyperbole, personification, alliteration, onomatopoeia, etc.) Is there a pattern in the imagery that is used?

Application Level Now is the time to apply what you learned in the surface level and deeper level. Take the information that you learned in those two levels and apply it to the following questions. What is the central idea the poet is trying to convey? What is the attitude or tone the poet is trying to convey? What is the theme of the poem? Is it simple or complex? Is there a universal theme? What lines contribute to the development of the theme? How does the central idea, tone, or theme apply to your world?

Evaluation Level You have now read the poem several times and have developed an understanding of the poem. Now ask yourself whether or not you thought the poem was good. You will need to be able to provide reasons and support for your opinion. Some questions to ask might be: Was the poem successful in establishing a significant theme? Did the poet use imagery and symbolism effectively? Does the poem speak to the modern world? Did the poem speak to you personally?