Why do poets make comparisons?

He glanced with rapid eyesThat hurried all abroad, -They looked like frightened beads, I thought;He stirred his velvet head

In this lesson, you will learn how how to examine

comparisons in a poem by picturing the items in your

head.

Let’s ReviewDescriptive words

can help us visualize a poem.

Let’s Review

NOUN

Nouns help us picture the setting.

Adjectives

Verbs

person

place thing

A Common Mistake

Thinking too literally

Core LessonCore Lesson

Comparison

Core Lesson

Core LessonCore Lesson

In the Garden

He glanced with rapid eyesThat hurried all abroad, -They looked like frightened beads, I thought;He stirred his velvet head

Why did the poet put these items together?

Core LessonCore Lesson

Find a comparison.1

2 Picture the items in your head.

3 Ask yourself, “Why did the poet put these items together?”

In this lesson, you have learned how to examine

comparisons in a poem by picturing the items in your

head.

Guided PracticeLook at the highlighted comparison. Picture the items in your head.

Then ask yourself, “Why did the poet put these items together?”

He glanced with rapid eyesThat hurried all abroad, -They looked like frightened beads, I thought;He stirred his velvet head

Extension Activities

Find another poem that uses comparisons.

How do the comparisons change your visualizations?

Extension Activities

Some comparisons are called “similes” and “metaphors.”

Research similes and metaphors.Find poems that use similes or metaphors

and list the ones you find.

Quick QuizQuick Quiz

Read the final two stanzas of “In the Garden.”

Find a comparison to picture in your mind.

Why did the poet put these items together?

Like one in danger; cautious,I offered him a crumb,And he unrolled his feathersAnd rowed him softer home

Than oars divide an ocean,Too silver for a seamOr butterflies, off banks of noon,Leap, plashless, as they swim.