introduction to poetry part 2 “in a poem the words should be as pleasing to the ear as the meaning...

Introduction to poetry

Part 2

“In a poem the words should be as pleasing to the ear as

the meaning is to the mind.” -- Marianne Moore

Let’s start with a quick review

•Brain is divided into 2 parts

•Each half has its own functionRight brain: creativeLeft brain: logical

Poetry can be appreciated by both halves.

•Left brain can focus on devices.

•Right brain can play with creative expression.

So far we’ve discussed the following sound devices:Rhyme: the repetition of sounds

Rhythm: the beatMeter: the length of a line of poetryAlliteration: the repetition of the initial sound in two or more words in a lineConsonance: the repetition of a consonant sound two or more times in a lineAssonance: the repetition of a vowel sound two or more times in a lineOnomatopoeia: words that spell out soundsRepetition: using the same key word or phrase

throughout a poemRefrain: the repetition of one or more phrases or lines at the end of each stanza

The Right Brain:

Although the left brain can appreciate the definitions and identification of the

next category of devices, they will primarily appeal to

I give you

the meaning devices:

A comparison between two usually unrelated things using the word “like” or “as”.

Example: Joe is as hungry as a bear.In the morning Rae is like an angry lion.

Let’s see what this looks like in a poem we have never seen before in our lives.

Ars Poetica

by Archibald MacLeish

A poem should be palpable and mute

As a globed fruit,

Dumb

As old medallions to the thumb,

Silent as the sleeve-worn stone

Of casement ledges where the moss has grown –

A poem should be wordless

As the flight of birds.

simile

simile

simile

simile

An implied comparison between two usually unrelated things.Example: Lenny is a snake.

Ginny is a mouse when it comes to standing up for herself.

The difference between a simile and a

metaphor is while a simile requires either “like” or “as” to be

included in the comparison, a

metaphor requires that neither be used.

When it comes to using a metaphor device in poetry, a poet can either make the entire poem a metaphor for something, or put little metaphors throughout the poem.

The following poem is one big metaphor.

Coalhard and cold

buried deep in thedark ground

compressed by fears andtears

Painwith its vice-

gripsholds the lump

in bony fingersuntil

a diamond appears

Metamorphosis of a Heart

The title tells the reader what is being compared

The poet says a heart is a lump of coal that changes into a diamond because of the pain it has gone through in life.

An extremely exaggerated simile.

Example: It is as hot as a volcano in here!

An exaggeration for the sake of emphasis.

Examples: I may sweat to death. The blood bank needs a river

of blood.

The difference between conceit and hyperbole is conceits are similes (they use the words “like” or “as” in them), while hyperboles are not.

A word or image that signifies something other than what is literally represented.Examples: Dark or black images in poems are

often used to symbolize death; Light or white images are often used to symbolize life

Let’s see what this looks like in a poem we are familiar with.

Coalhard and cold



Painwith its vice-grips

holds the lumpin bony fingers

untila diamond

appears


We already know this is

about a heart

Coal and diamonds are

symbols for the heart

Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects, ideas, or animals.

Example: The sun stretched its lazy fingers over the valley.

Coalhard and cold





untila diamond

appears


Let’s see what this looks like in a poem we are familiar with.

personification

Using words to create a picture in the reader’s mind.



untila diamond

appears

The image of a bony hand holding the

coal tightly can be seen in the reader’s mind..

That’s it for the meaning devices:

Now how about some practice?

Actually, you don’t really have a choice.

introduction to poetry part 2 “in a poem the words should be as pleasing to the ear as the meaning...

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