21 Frances Garibaldo

How to Read a PoemHow do you read a poem?

Well you first start by reading the whole thing. When you’re finished, if the poem is difficult you can read the poem over. You read stanza by stanza. If you don’t understand the stanza than you can reread the stanza.RepetitionWhen something repeats in a poem it is called repetition.Repetition helps you understand the theme of the poem.Here is an example: And miles to go before I sleep,And miles to go before I sleepImageryImagery is when you can see, feel, hear, taste, and smell a certain part of the poem. This helps you so you feel what the author is feeling and understand the poem better.Here is an example: On the beach at night, stands a child with her father, watching the east, the autumn sky.MetaphorA metaphor is something that stands for something else.A metaphor helps you understand the meaning of the poem.Here is an example: Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.Rhythm/RhymeRegular rhythm is when you don’t stop and it flows. An irregular rhythm is when you have to stop every sentence and the images in your mind are like flash cards. When the poem rhymes it flows and you have don’t have to stop. However when it doesn’t rhyme it doesn’t really flow and you have to stop. Here are some examples:Rhythm


-RegularDistinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, and each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
-IrregularIn the greenest of our valleys By good angels tenanted, Once a fair and stately palace-Rhyme
-RegularOnce upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary
-Irregular Radiant palace- reared its head. In the monarch Thought's dominion- It stood there!Theme/MessageThe theme or message in the poem is what the poem means and what it stands for. It is important because understand where the poet is coming from and it could have a lesson to learn.

The RavenOnce upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. "'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door- Only this, and nothing more."Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow;- vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow- sorrow for the lost Lenore- For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore- Nameless here for evermore.And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain Thrilled me- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before; So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating, "'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door- Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;-This it is, and nothing more."Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, "Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore; But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping, And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, That I scarce was sure I heard you"- here I opened wide the door;-Darkness there, and nothing more.Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before; But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token, And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!" This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!"-Merely this, and nothing more.Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before. "Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice: Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore- Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;-'Tis the wind and nothing more."Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore; Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he; But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door- Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door-Perched, and sat, and nothing more.Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore. "Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven, Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore- Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly, Though its answer little meaning- little relevancy bore; For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door- Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door, With such name as "Nevermore."But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour. Nothing further then he uttered- not a feather then he fluttered- Till I scarcely more than muttered, "other friends have flown before- On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before." Then the bird said, "Nevermore."Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken, "Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store, Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore- Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore Of 'Never- nevermore'."But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling, Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door; Then upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore- What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore Meant in croaking "Nevermore."This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core; This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er, But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er, She shall press, ah, nevermore!Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor. "Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee- by these angels he hath sent thee Respite- respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore! Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!" Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore.""Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!- prophet still, if bird or devil!- Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore, Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted- On this home by horror haunted- tell me truly, I implore- Is there- is there balm in Gilead?- tell me- tell me, I implore!" Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore.""Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil- prophet still, if bird or devil! By that Heaven that bends above us- by that God we both adore- Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn, It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore- Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore." Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore.""Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend," I shrieked, upstarting- "Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore! Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken! Leave my loneliness unbroken!- quit the bust above my door! Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!" Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted- nevermore
1. What phrases are repeated?
-Qouth the raven " nevermore"
-and nothing more

2. What images (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory)?
Visual:
-While i pondered weak and weary
-For the rare and radient maiden whom the angels name lenor
-and the silken sad uncertain rustling of the purple curtain thrilled me
-but the fact is I was napping and so gently you came rapping
-deep into that darknes peering
-soon again I heard some tapping somewhat louder than before
-perched above my chamber door
-then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling
-bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber, which such a name as nevermore
-But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour
-Startled at the stillness broken by reply
-Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
-Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
-And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door

Auditory:
-'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door-Only this, and nothing more."
-"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! prophet still, if bird or devil!
Tactile:-None
Olfactory:-none
Gustatory:-none

3. Explain metaphors.
-Then the bird said, "Nevermore"It could be lenore that he is seeing instead of the bird.
-And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door.The raven could be a memory of lenore and it just stays there.

4. What rhythm or rhyme scheme does the poem have? How does this affect meaning?H e does have a rythm to it and it tells astury it is not just like flash pictures it is like a movie.

5. What is the theme or message of the poem? Give text examples from each stanza.I think it is that he still has a memory of someone and its not going away.
-And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber doorA Dream Within A DreamTake this kiss upon the brow!And, in parting from you now,Thus much let me avow-You are not wrong, who deemThat my days have been a dream;Yet if hope has flown awayIn a night, or in a day,In a vision, or in none,Is it therefore the less gone?All that we see or seemIs but a dream within a dream.I stand amid the roarOf a surf-tormented shore,And I hold within my handGrains of the golden sand-How few! yet how they creepThrough my fingers to the deep,While I weep- while I weep!O God! can I not graspThem with a tighter clasp?O God! can I not saveOne from the pitiless wave?Is all that we see or seemBut a dream within a dream?

Questions:
1. What phrases are repeated?
-But a dream within a dream2. What images (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory)?

Visual:
-I stand amid the roar Of a surf-tormented shore
-Take this kiss upon the brow!
-Through my fingers to the deep
-Grains of the golden sand
-One from the pitiless wave?
Auditory:
-While I weep- while I weep
Tactile:none
Olfactory:none
Gustatory:none

3. Explain metaphors.And I hold within my hand Grains of the golden sand-How few! yet how they creep.O God! can I not grasp Them with a tighter clasp? O God! can I not save One from the pitiless waveHe want to save the sand which could mean people from terror.

4. What rhythm or rhyme scheme does the poem have?How does this affect meaning?It really doesn't affect the meaning it just plays like a movie in your head.

5. What is the theme or message of the poem? Give text examples from each stanza.It could be that hope is gone but that it is just a dream.Stanza

1: He says that hope is gone but it is just a dream within a dream.Stanza

2:He wants to not let the sand creep but it is anyway.AloneFrom childhood's hour I have not beenAs others were; I have not seenAs others saw; I could not bringMy passions from a common spring.From the same source I have not takenMy sorrow; I could not awakenMy heart to joy at the same tone;And all I loved, I loved alone.Then- in my childhood, in the dawnOf a most stormy life- was drawnFrom every depth of good and illThe mystery which binds me still:From the torrent, or the fountain,From the red cliff of the mountain,From the sun that round me rolledIn its autumn tint of gold,From the lightning in the skyAs it passed me flying by,From the thunder and the storm,And the cloud that took the form(When the rest of Heaven was blue)Of a demon in my view.

1. What words or phrases are repeated? Why does the poet repeat these words?
-none
2. What images (using any of the five senses) does the poet use.

visual:
-In its autumn tint of gold
-From the lightning in the sky
-From the thunder and the storm
-(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
-Of a demon in my view.auditory:nonegustatory:nonetactile:noneolfactory:none3. Explain the metaphors.
-I have not seen As others sawhe could have thought diferently and did things different.
-From the sun that round me rolled In its autumn tint of goldit could have excited him because of the beautiful colors
-And the cloud that took the form (When the rest of Heaven was blue) Of a demon in my view.it could mean that everything is great and then one cloud comes and makes things bad.4. Is there a regular rhythm?Is there regular rhyme?How do rhythm and/or rhyme affect the poem?
-Yes, there is a rythm and it makes the poem play like a movie in your head.

5. What is the theme or message of the poem? Use text examples from each stanza
-When something is bad look around at the great things.
-From the thunder and the storm,And the cloud that took the form(When the rest of Heaven was blue)

6. Write your reaction (what you liked or didn't like, agreed or disagreed with)I really liked this poem I don't disagree with anything.The Haunted PalaceIn the greenest of our valleysBy good angels tenanted,Once a fair and stately palace-Radiant palace- reared its head.In the monarch Thought's dominion-It stood there!Never seraph spread a pinionOver fabric half so fair!Banners yellow, glorious, golden,On its roof did float and flow,(This- all this- was in the olden Time long ago,)And every gentle air that dallied,In that sweet day,Along the ramparts plumed and pallid,A winged odor went away.Wanderers in that happy valley,Through two luminous windows, sawSpirits moving musically,To a lute's well-tuned law,Round about a throne where, sitting(Porphyrogene!)In state his glory well-befitting,The ruler of the realm was seen.And all with pearl and ruby glowingWas the fair palace door,Through which came flowing, flowing, flowing,And sparkling evermore,A troop of Echoes, whose sweet dutyWas but to sing,In voices of surpassing beauty,The wit and wisdom of their king.But evil things, in robes of sorrow,Assailed the monarch's high estate.(Ah, let us mourn!- for never morrow Shall dawn upon him desolate!)And round about his home the gloryThat blushed and bloomed,Is but a dim-remembered storyOf the old time entombed.And travellers, now, within that valley,Through the red-litten windows seeVast forms, that move fantasticallyTo a discordant melody,While, like a ghastly rapid river,Through the pale doorA hideous throng rush out foreverAnd laugh- but smile no more.1. What words or phrases are repeated?Why does the poet repeat these words?none

2. What images (using any of the five senses) does the poet use.
visual:
- In the greenest of our valleys
-Banners yellow, glorious, golden,On its roof did float and flow
-Wanderers in that happy valley
-all with pearl and ruby glowing
-But evil things, in robes of sorrow,
-Through the pale door

3. Explain the metaphors.
-But evil things, in robes of sorrowThey could be evil spirits that are sad because they did somehting wrong in their life.
-A hideous throng rush out forever and laugh- but smile no more.The crowd of ghosts that are so sad they laugh but don't smile.

4. Is there a regular rhythm?Is there regular rhyme?How do rhythm and/or rhyme affect the poem?this poem has some rythm to it and it does help alot because the some of the vocabulary is hard and you can tell what it means.

5. What is the theme or message of the poem? Use text examples from each stanza.some things can be beautiful then they can turn ugly.stanza

1: Once a fair and stately palacestanza2:Banners yellow, glorious, golden, on its roof did float and flowstanza

3: Wanderers in that happy valley, through two luminous windows, saw spirits movingmusically,stanza

4: And all with pearl and ruby glowing was the fair palace doorstanza

5: But evil things, in robes of sorrow assailed the monarch's high estate.stanza

6: A hideous throng rush out forever and laugh- but smile no more.

6. Write you reaction (what you liked or didn't like, agreed or disagreed with)I really liked how he was all nice and sweet and then in the end it was just terror.RomanceRomance, who loves to nod and sing,With drowsy head and folded wing,Among the green leaves as they shakeFar down within some shadowy lake,To me a painted paroquetHath been- a most familiar bird-Taught me my alphabet to say-To lisp my very earliest wordWhile in the wild wood I did lie,A child- with a most knowing eye.Of late, eternal Condor yearsSo shake the very Heaven on highWith tumult as they thunder by,I have no time for idle caresThrough gazing on the unquiet sky.And when an hour with calmer wingsIts down upon my spirit flings-That little time with lyre and rhymeTo while away- forbidden things!My heart would feel to be a crimeUnless it trembled with the strings.
1. What words or phrases are repeated? Why does the poet repeat these words?
-none

2. What images (using any of the five senses) does the poet use.

Visual:
-Among the green leaves as they shake Far down within some shadowy lake•While in the wild wood I did lie
-A child- with a most knowing eye
3. Explain the metaphors.
-Of late, eternal Condor yearshe could be talking about age.

4. Is there a regular rhythm?Is there regular rhyme?How do rhythm and/or rhyme affect the poem?there isn't really a rythym more of a rhyme whithout any rythm it is kind of difficult. but the ryhme makes it easier.

5. What is the theme or message of the poem? Use text examples from each stanza.the theme of the poem is that to not grow up so fast.stanza

1: A child- with a most knowing eye.stanza2:Of late, eternal Condor years. I have no time for idle cares

6. Write you reaction (what you liked or didn't like, agreed or disagreed with)I don't think the title has to do with the poem.To My MotherBecause I feel that, in the Heavens above,The angels, whispering to one another,Can find, among their burning terms of love,None so devotional as that of "Mother,"Therefore by that dear name I long have called you-You who are more than mother unto me,And fill my heart of hearts, where Death installed youIn setting my Virginia's spirit free.My mother- my own mother, who died early,Was but the mother of myself; but youAre mother to the one I loved so dearly,And thus are dearer than the mother I knewBy that infinity with which my wifeWas dearer to my soul than its soul-life.

1. What words or phrases are repeated? Why does the poet repeat these words?
-mother

2. What images (using any of the five senses) does the poet use.

visual
-the angels, wispering to one another.
-my own mother who died early
-where death installed you.

3. Explain the metaphors.
-among their burning terms of love this could mean that he loved very much.

4. Is there a regular rhythm?Is there regular rhyme?How do rhythm and/or rhyme affect the poem?no there really isn't a rythm or rhyme it is really just liuke flashing pictures in your head.

5. What is the theme or message of the poem? Use text examples from each stanza.this is narrative and to me I can't really find a theme or message.

6. Write you reaction (what you liked or didn't like, agreed or disagreed with)I really liked this poem what I didn't like was nothing.