Lesson 4:

Poetry Analysis and Application

Prepare to Learn

It has been mentioned in the previous lesson that poetry is mainly the creative and
implied disclosure of a writer's inner thoughts and feelings. Thus, meanings can be
grasped from a poetic work easily. It requires a thorough analysis to gain a better
understanding of what the poem says and also to discover the hidden truths that the
writer attempts to communicate. Thus, through an analysis, readers can frame
sound judgments and can better appreciate entirety of poetry and also of other forms
of literature.

Desired Learning Outcomes

To make your learning experience productive and meaningful, you are expected to:

a. Discuss the ways on how to analyze a poem.

b. Explain the importance of poetry analysis.
c. Determine various aspects of poetry analysis to achieve deep understanding
and genuine appreciation.
Learning Explorations
 Poetry is a form of expression of meaning in special way.
Indeed, poets do not directly reveal what the poem talks about.
Thus, it is mainly the task of the readers to discern the central
message and sense of a poem. To achieve this, a reader must
be conscious of various ways on how to analyze a poetic work
that will lead to a sound understanding of a poem's message
and also genuine appreciation of its total aesthetic value.

Literature reading like poetry challenges the mind. In effect, it helps

readers to develop critical thinking and language skills. With this kind
of valuable activity, one can gain not only leisure but also genuine learning experience.

Consideration in Analyzing a Poem

It is important to conscious of the various aspects of a poem for they may provide essential
information or clues that can help to reveal the ideas that a poetic work bears. Hereunder
are some aspects as to what a reader needs to consider in analyzing a poem.

 The Author
Know who the writer of the poem is. It is also significant to know the background of
the author including his/her life experiences, writing style, and type of works he/she
has developed.
 The title of the poem
Mainly, a title bears important information about a poem. Mostly, titles provide a gist
of what the poem is about. Thus, it necessary to inquire as to what the title suggests
in relation to the content or theme of a poem. In analyzing this part, you may
consider these questions:
 What does the title say about the poem?
 What is subject is revealed by the title of the poem?
 How is the title connected to the entirety of the poem?

 The Persona and the Addressee

The persona refers to the one speaking in the lines of a poem. T is a requisite to
determine the setting and conditions prevailing in the lines for these are hints as to
who speaks in the lines of the poem. On the other hand, the addressee is the
receiver or the one being talked to by the persona. In addition, it is the entity as to
whom the message of the poem is addressed.
  Tone, Attitude, Motif's, and Condition
These are mainly suggested by the words used by the writer. The prevailing emotion
of the persona towards the addressee can be discerned and elucidated by looking
into the choice of words of the writer. Also, recurring motifs and conditions are
revealed by the quality words found in the text.

 Imagery and Symbolisms

A poem appeals to the senses, thus, words may also be effective tools to create
connections between the poem and its readers making them see, hear, taste, smell,
and feel whatever poem presents. Words utilized in poetry may also be symbolic. In
this sense, words may bear constructs aside from their literal or ordinary meanings.

 Genre
It is a requisite to know how to classify the poetic work based on its prevailing
features. For this consideration, you may inquire if the work is a kind of a dramatic,
lyric, or narrative poem or taking into account the specific types like sonnet, elegy,
ode, epic, ballad etc.

 Structure
Look whether the poem has regular or irregular structure. Consider the length
measure of the poem. Also, do examine the rhyming scheme and sound devices
used.

 The Theme
This is mainly involves the significant truth or the central idea that the writer attempts
to disclose and communicate to its readers. Thus, this is also the meaning that
readers are expected to discover as they they read the entirety of the poem. Also, as
reader, you may even discuss the writer's possible purpose for framing the poem.
 Appeal
This pertains to your impressions about the poem. It includes your personal judgment and
evaluation with regard to the aesthetic quality, intellectual, and emotional value of the
poem.