Writing a Poetry Analysis

1. Writing a Poetry Analysis

2. Allegory • Definition: A narrative or description that has a second meaning beneath the surface • The underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance, and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas. • Allegory vs. Symbolism: Allegory puts less emphasis on the images for their own sake and more on the ulterior meanings.

3. Fire and IceBy Robert Frost • Some say the world will end in fire,Some say in ice.From what I've tasted of desireI hold with those who favor fire.But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction iceIs also greatAnd would suffice. • Free write for 5 minutes about this poem.

4. SYMBOLISM and ALLEGORY • On the surface, the poem questions which method of destruction would be more desirable to end the world • Allegorical meaning of fire and ice: Representative of the vices of humanity • Fire: could be greed or desire • Ice: could be bitterness or hatred • Metaphorical ending of he world is compared to deciding which vice is worst

5. Poetry analysis Paragraph • Should follow the two-chunk model: • TS Topic Sentence: A statement that expresses a theme or meaning of the poem and/or an evaluation of the author’s craft. • Example: In “Fire and Ice,” Robert Frost uses allegorical meanings of fire and ice to represent the vices of humanity.

6. Concrete Details and Commentary • CDs: Lines or phrases from the poem to support your topic sentence. • Example: For example, in line three he claims “from what I've tasted of desire, I hold with those who favor fire.” • CM #1: Your explanation of how that line supports your topic sentence. • Example: Frost symbolizes the concept of human desire with the physical concept of fire. • CM #2: Further analysis and explanation (dig deeper into your interpretation of the CD) • Example: Like a wild fire, desire can spread into greed and a lust for wealth and power.

7. CD #2 and CM • CD #2: In line five, he contemplates an alternative apocalypse when he states, “I think I know enough of hate to say that for destruction ice is also great and would suffice.” • CM #1: Here, the poet symbolically connects ice with the “cold” feeling of hatred. • CM #2: He asserts that while ice would do a sufficient job of destruction, he “holds with fire,” as the more likely end of the world.

8. Concluding sentences (1-2_) • CS: Tie it all together and revisit your TS • Example: On the surface, he seems to be contemplating the end of the physical world, but upon a closer analysis of the poem’s symbols, an allegorical meaning emerges. The reader discovers that while the earth may indeed be destroyed by the physical forces of fire ice, the forces of human nature, specifically greed and hatred, will be the ultimate death to humanity.

9. In “Fire and Ice,” Robert Frost uses allegorical meanings of fire and ice to represent the vices of humanity. For example, in line three he claims “from what I've tasted of desire, I hold with those who favor fire.” Frost symbolizes the concept of human desire with the physical concept of fire. Like a wildfire, desire can spread into greed and a lust for wealth and power. In line five, he contemplates an alternative apocalypse when he states, “I think I know enough of hate to say that for destruction ice is also great and would suffice.” Here, the poet symbolically connects ice with the “cold” feeling of hatred. He asserts that while ice would do a sufficient job of destruction, he “holds with fire,” as the more likely end of the world. On the surface, he seems to be contemplating the end of the physical world, but upon a closer analysis of the poem’s symbols, an allegorical meaning emerges. The reader discovers that while the earth may indeed be destroyed by the physical forces of fire ice, the forces of human nature, specifically greed and hatred, will be the ultimate death to humanity.

10. Your Turn