Introduction to poetry

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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
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Lets start with a quick review

• Brain is divided into 2 parts
• Each half has its own function

Right brain creative
Left brain logical

• Poetry can be appreciated by both halves.
• Left brain can focus on devices.
• Right brain can play with creative expression.

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So far weve discussed the following sound
devices
Rhyme the repetition of sounds
Rhythm the beat
Meter the length of a line of poetry
Alliteration the repetition of the initial sound
in two or more words in a line
Consonance the repetition of a consonant sound
two or more times in a line
Assonance the repetition of a vowel sound two or
more times in a line
Onomatopoeia words that spell out sounds
Repetition using the same key word or phrase
throughout a poem
Refrain the repetition of one or more phrases or
lines at the end of each stanza
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Although the left brain can appreciate the
definitions and identification of the next
category of devices, they will primarily appeal
to
The Right Brain
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So without further ado . . .
I give you
the meaning devices
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Simile
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.
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Lets see what this looks like in a poem we have
never seen before in our lives.
simile
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
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Metaphor
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.
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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.
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.
The title tells the reader what is being compared
Metamorphosis of a Heart
Coal hard and cold buried deep in the dark
ground compressed by fears and tears
Pain with its vice-grips holds the lump in bony
fingers until a diamond appears
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Conceit
An extremely exaggerated simile.
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Hyperbole
An exaggeration for the sake of emphasis.
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(No Transcript)
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Symbol
A word or image that signifies something other
than what is literally represented.
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Lets see what this looks like in a poem we are
familiar with.
We already know this is about a heart
Coal and diamonds are symbols for the heart
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Personification
Giving human characteristics to inanimate
objects, ideas, or animals.
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Lets see what this looks like in a poem we are
familiar with.
personification
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Imagery
Using words to create a picture in the readers
mind.
The image of a bony hand holding the coal tightly
can be seen in the readers mind..
Pain with its vice-grips holds the lump in bony
fingers until a diamond appears