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The Language of The Language of PoetryPoetry

The poet’s choice of wordsThe poet’s choice of words A good poem carries meaning on both a A good poem carries meaning on both a

literal and abstract levelliteral and abstract level

DictionDiction

Again, it is not just enough to identify a Again, it is not just enough to identify a metaphor or simile. What matters is your metaphor or simile. What matters is your ability to analyze and explain its functionability to analyze and explain its function

Metaphors and SimilesMetaphors and Similes

A single metaphor developed at length. A single metaphor developed at length.

Extended MetaphorExtended Metaphor

A single metaphor developed at length. A single metaphor developed at length.

Extended MetaphorExtended Metaphor

A figure of speech that communicates a A figure of speech that communicates a second meaning along with its literal second meaning along with its literal meaningmeaning

Be prepared to determine how symbols Be prepared to determine how symbols contribute to a poem’s meaning and contribute to a poem’s meaning and effecteffect

SymbolSymbol

Words or phrases that refer to something Words or phrases that refer to something that can be seen, heard, tasted, smelled. that can be seen, heard, tasted, smelled. Or touchedOr touched

Usual literal and concreteUsual literal and concrete

ImageryImagery

When poets assign human When poets assign human characteristics to nonhuman objectscharacteristics to nonhuman objects

PersonificationPersonification

A figure of speech that substitutes a A figure of speech that substitutes a word or phrase that relates to a thing for word or phrase that relates to a thing for the thing itselfthe thing itself White HouseWhite House ““The crown will find an heir”The crown will find an heir”

MetonymyMetonymy

This is when you substitute a part for a This is when you substitute a part for a wholewhole ““saving my skin”saving my skin” Wheels Wheels Toll for the brave!/The brave that are no Toll for the brave!/The brave that are no

more,/All sunk beneath the wavemore,/All sunk beneath the wave

SynecdocheSynecdoche

A historical, literary, or cultural A historical, literary, or cultural reference to a person, place, or eventreference to a person, place, or event

Once you recognize the source, grasp Once you recognize the source, grasp the intentthe intent

AllusionAllusion

A story or vignette that, like a metaphor, A story or vignette that, like a metaphor, has both a literal and a figurative has both a literal and a figurative meaningmeaning

AllegoryAllegory

A phrase that seems contradictory or A phrase that seems contradictory or incompatible with realityincompatible with reality Eloquent silenceEloquent silence Jumbo shrimpJumbo shrimp

Oxymoron Oxymoron

An apparently self-contradictory An apparently self-contradictory statement that under scrutiny makes statement that under scrutiny makes perfect senseperfect sense

If you find this on the exam, start looking If you find this on the exam, start looking for the presence of subtexts and implied for the presence of subtexts and implied meaningmeaning

““I must be cruel only to be kind”I must be cruel only to be kind”

ParadoxParadox

Saying less than one means or using Saying less than one means or using resraint in an ironic contrast to what resraint in an ironic contrast to what might be saidmight be said

UnderstatementUnderstatement

A form of understatement in a which a A form of understatement in a which a positive fact is stated by denying a positive fact is stated by denying a negative onenegative one That soup wasn’t bad!That soup wasn’t bad!

LitoteLitote

An exaggeration used by poets to An exaggeration used by poets to intensify emotions, values, features, intensify emotions, values, features, weather, etcweather, etc ‘‘ll love you, dear, I’ll love you/Till China ll love you, dear, I’ll love you/Till China

and Africa meet,? And the river jumps and Africa meet,? And the river jumps over the mountain/And the salmon sing in over the mountain/And the salmon sing in the streetthe street

It’s a slow burg—I spent a couple of weeks It’s a slow burg—I spent a couple of weeks there one daythere one day

HyperboleHyperbole