What is poetry?

1. What is poetry?

2. Poetry is… • One of the three major types of literature (the others being prose and drama) • “Literature that makes use of highly concise, musical, and emotionally charged language.” • May “make use of imagery, figurative language, and special devices of sound such as rhyme.” • Often divided up into lines and stanzas with regular rhythms or meters. From Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes

3. But really, what is poetry? Poetry is a picture, painted with words. The poet is an artist and language is his color palette. At first glance, the picture may appear to be random brushstrokes, but when the eye looks more deeply, it sees the whole picture as it was meant to be seen.

4. Figures of Speech Figure of speech—word or phrase that makes a comparison between seemingly unlike things. He collapsed onto the grass like a half-empty flour sack. from “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst You’ll come across figures of speech—or figurative language—in poetry, in prose, and in everyday speaking and writing.

5. Figures of Speech • Figures of speech • are not literally true • make imaginative connections • express meaning in fresh and original ways • often act as a kind of shorthand

6. Figures of Speech Some figures of speech have become part of our everyday language. We don’t even think about the fact that they aren’t literally true. He didn’t notice how quickly the time flew by. My heart leapt at the thought. She must have gotten tied up in traffic. His room is a pigsty. [End of Section]

7. Simile Simile—comparison between two unlike things, using a word such as like, as, than, or resembles. A lone oak tree stood in the front yard like an aged but dedicated sentry. The dew on the leaves glistened as brilliantly as loose diamonds on silk. That child’s eyes are warmer than the summer’s sandy beach.

8. Simile Quick Check Identify the two similes in this excerpt. My mother has the prettiest tricks Of words and words and words.Her talk comes out as smooth and sleek As breasts of singing birds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We had not dreamed these things were so Of sorrow and of mirth. Her speech is as a thousand eyes Through which we see the earth. — from “Songs for my Mother” by Anna Hempstead Branch What meaning is expressed by each simile? [End of Section]

9. Metaphor • Metaphor • comparison between two unlike things in which one thing becomes the other • does not use a word such as like or as The flood waters rose, and the river became a ravenous monster. Raging on for hours, it consumed everything in its sight.

10. Metaphor Poets use metaphors to make the reader think about new ways of seeing things. • What is the poet trying to say with this metaphor? My heart it was a floating birdThat through the world did wander free,But he hath locked it in a cage,And lost the silver key. —from “The Prince” by Josephine Dodge Daskam

11. Metaphor A direct metaphor directly compares two things using a verb such as is. His ideas were a flock of birds in flight. An indirect metaphor implies or suggests the comparison. His ideas spread their wings and soared freely. [End of Section]

12. Metaphor Quick Check Identify each metaphor as either direct or indirect. This computer is a dinosaur. She stared at me with venomous eyes and hissed out her reply. The old motorcycle barked and yipped before it started up with a howl. Today my mind is the wind blowing across rolling hills. [End of Section]

13. Personification Personification—special kind of metaphor in which human qualities are given to something that is not human—an animal, an object, or an idea. The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might: He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright. —from “The Walrus and the Carpenter” by Lewis Carroll [End of Section]

14. Review Quick Check • Identify each figure of speech. • Simile • Metaphor • Personification Spring caresses the earth and sky with her warm, delicate hands. Our friendship is as comfortable as a pair of flannel pajamas. The old factory had become a heaving, grunting beast. [End of Section]

15. Practice Figures of speech are widely used. Look through a newspaper or magazine, including the advertisements, and gather at least six figures of speech. Look for examples of similes, metaphors, and personification. [End of Section]

16. ‘Twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. “Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!” He took his vorpal sword in hand: Long time the manxome foe he sought— So rested he by the Tumtum tree, And stood awhile in thought. And as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! And through and through The vorpal blade went snicker- snack! He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back. “And has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” He chortled in his joy. ‘Twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll Page 352 of your textbook

17. Literary Term Interlude • What is a stanza? (Hint: Refer to handout) • How many stanzas make up “Jabberwocky”?

18. Discussion Questions • Can you tell what the general idea of the poem is? • What clues do you get from the poem as to the meaning? • Even though many of these words are not familiar to you, why can you still get a general idea? Hint: Think structure.

19. This poem uses portmanteau words. A portmanteau word is an invented word; some are formed by blending two words into one. What two words form chortled? “O frabjous day!” What two words might be blended to form the word “frabjous”? Important Fact:

20. You can determine parts of speech for many of these portmanteau words by looking at their function and position in the sentence. ‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; Parts of speech: Slithy: Toves: Gyre: Gimble: Wabe: Grammar Mini-Lesson

21. Grammar Continued ‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; Parts of speech: Slithy: Adjective (modifies toves) Toves: Noun (probably an animal) Gyre: Verb (action done by the toves) Gimble: Verb (action done by the toves) Wabe: Noun (probably a place)

22. FUN ACTIVITY • Get together in a group of three • Choose one person to highlight, one to write, and one to read. • Highlight the made up words. • Rewrite the poem on notebook paper using real words in place of the portmanteau words. • Try to make the poem make sense. • Read your version aloud to the class.

23. Now that you know a bit more… • Did everyone have similar “translation” versions? • Whose version did you like the best? • Which parts of the poem are serious? • Funny?

24. Extra Credit Opportunity Create an alphabetical glossary that defines and illustrates the use of each invented word in “Jabberwocky.” This assignment can be found on page 355 of your textbook.

25. Poetry Vocabulary List 1 • Beguiling- tricking; charming • Desolate-deserted; abandoned • Languid- drooping; weak • Bafflement- puzzlement; bewilderment • Chortled- made a jolly, chuckling sound • Diverged- branched out in different directions

26. List One Continued 7. Pallid- pale • Depravity- crookedness; corruption • Respite- rest; relief • Quaint- strange; unusual (in an old-fashioned way)

27. Lyric Sonnet Ode Narrative Ballad Epic Haiku Limerick Elegy (see handout) Epigram (see handout) Some types of poetry

28. A lyric poem is highly emotional in nature. It expresses the thoughts and feelings of the poet Lyric poetry has a musical feel to it and may resemble a song Examples from your book: “The Eagle,” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (page 796) What is a lyric poem?

29. Two Types of Lyric Poetry Ode-Serious and thoughtful with a precise, formal structure. Sonnet- 14 lines long, divided into two groups; English and Italian. (see handout for terms) • English- also called Shakespearean, composed of three quatrains and a final couplet • Italian- also called Petrarchan, divided into two quatrains and a six-line sestet.

30. Rhythm PowerPoint

31. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that, the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference “The Road Not Taken,” Robert Frost

32. Questions to Ponder • This poem is symbolic of a larger topic than simply walking down the road? What is that larger topic? • What is the author’s tone? • Remember…tone is the author’s attitude toward his subject • What has made all the difference? • What is the rhyme scheme?

33. Assignment • Choose a song that you like and either copy it down by hand or print out the lyrics Make sure your poem adheres to the following guidelines: • No obscenities or obscene references (songs with obscene references will result in a failing grade for this assignment) • You should be able to find at least one example of figurative language such as metaphor, simile, symbolism, or imagery. • Write 1 paragraph that details the meaning of the song and 1 that addresses the literary devices used. (Bonus points for extra literary devices)

34. “Elephant Love Medley” from Moulin Rouge Personification Metaphor Example:

35. What is a narrative poem? • A narrative poem is a poem that tells a story, such as Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky”

36. Ballads A ballad is a poem that tells a story similar to a folk tale or legend. Ballads often have repeated refrains Epics An epic is a long, serious poem that tells the story of a heroic figure. A famous example of an epic poem is Homer’s Odyssey. Stay tuned for more on work. Two Types of Narrative Poetry

37. Narrative Poem: “The Raven” • Poet: Edgar Allan Poe • Narrative poetry tells a story. • Line by line, summarize the story told in “The Raven.” Page 832

38. What is the narrator doing at the beginning of the story? What does he hear? What is the time of year? Why is the narrator sorrowful? Who is Lenore? How does the narrator feel in stanza 3? What does he tell himself in order to calm down? What does he do in stanza 4? Stanzas 1-4

39. What word does the narrator hear upon opening the door? What does he tell himself that he is hearing? What does he see when he flings the shutter open? What literary device is used in line 41? What words does Poe use to create a suspenseful mood in stanza 8? What word does the raven continue to repeat? Stanzas 5-10

40. How does the speaker rationalize the raven’s behavior? In lines 79-84, what does the speaker determine is the raven’s purpose? What sudden change occurs in Line 85? What question is the speaker asking the bird? What is the raven’s answer to this question? What does the speaker want the raven to do in next to last stanza? How does the raven respond? How does the poem end? Stanzas 11-18

41. Symbolism • Write at least two paragraphs about what the raven might symbolize and why Poe chose the raven instead of another bird. Be sure to give details that support your answer.

42. Journal Topic Write about a time when you have been truly scared. How did it make you feel? Were you alone or with someone else? What were the circumstances? Be as detailed as possible.

43. Haiku • A haiku is a Japanese poem composed of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables. • Haiku often focus on nature. • See page 419 of your textbook for examples

44. A limerick is a light, humorous poem of five lines with a rhyme scheme of aabba. Limericks usually have a specific rhythmic pattern There once was a lady from Niger Who smiled as she rode on a tiger They returned from the ride With the lady inside And the smile on the face of the tiger Limericks

45. Other Examples of Limericks It’s a classical poetry form In which rhythm and rhyme must conform but it gets no respect which you’d clearly expect Unless it decides to reform.

46. Your Turn Write your own Limerick

47. More Poetry

48. “Dream Deferred” (pg 798) “Dreams” (pg 799) “Summer” (pg 815) “I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud” Simile, imagery Metaphor Onomatopoeia Personification Literary Devices