poetry analysis our objectives: our objectives: to recognize the connotative and denotative meaning...

Poetry analysisPoetry analysis

Our objectives:Our objectives: To recognize the connotative and To recognize the connotative and

denotative meaning of words and how denotative meaning of words and how they are used.they are used.

Review and analyze the use of figurative Review and analyze the use of figurative language (metaphor, simile, etc.) and language (metaphor, simile, etc.) and other poetic devices in poetry (or in this other poetic devices in poetry (or in this case, music as poetry).case, music as poetry).

Craft a one-page analysis of a poem/song.Craft a one-page analysis of a poem/song.

““Be My Baby”Be My Baby”

The night we met I knew I needed you so The night we met I knew I needed you so And if I had the chance I'd never let you go And if I had the chance I'd never let you go

So won't you say you love me So won't you say you love me I'll make you so proud of me I'll make you so proud of me

We'll make 'em turn their heads We'll make 'em turn their heads Every place we go Every place we go

So won't you please So won't you please

Be my little baby Be my little baby Say you'll be my darling Say you'll be my darling

Be my baby now Be my baby now Ooh, ohh, ohh, oh Ooh, ohh, ohh, oh


I'll make you happy, baby I'll make you happy, baby Just wait and see Just wait and see

For every kiss you give me For every kiss you give me I'll give you three I'll give you three

Oh, since the day I saw you Oh, since the day I saw you I had been waiting for you I had been waiting for you You know I will adore you You know I will adore you

Till eternity Till eternity So won't you please So won't you please



Be my baby now Be my baby now Ooh, ohh, ohh, ohh, oh Ooh, ohh, ohh, ohh, oh

So come on and please So come on and please Be my little baby Be my little baby

Say you'll be my darling Say you'll be my darling Be my baby now Be my baby now Ooh, ohh, ohh, oh Ooh, ohh, ohh, oh


BE MY BABYBE MY BABY

The night we met I knew I needed you so The night we met I knew I needed you so And if I had the chance I'd never let you go And if I had the chance I'd never let you go

So won't you say you love me So won't you say you love me I'll make you so proud of me I'll make you so proud of me

We'll make 'em turn their heads We'll make 'em turn their heads Every place we go Every place we go

So won't you please So won't you please


Be my baby now Be my baby now Ooh, ohh, ohh, oh Ooh, ohh, ohh, oh

I'll make you happy, baby I'll make you happy, baby Just wait and see Just wait and see

For every kiss you give me For every kiss you give me I'll give you three I'll give you three

Oh, since the day I saw you Oh, since the day I saw you I had been waiting for you I had been waiting for you You know I will adore you You know I will adore you

Till eternity Till eternity So won't you please So won't you please


Be my baby now Be my baby now Ooh, ohh, ohh, ohh, oh Ooh, ohh, ohh, ohh, oh

So come on and please So come on and please Be my little baby Be my little baby

Say you'll be my darling Say you'll be my darling

Be my baby now Be my baby now


In the context of my mom singing the In the context of my mom singing the song, “baby” is seen for its denotative song, “baby” is seen for its denotative (or literal) meaning: She really is singing (or literal) meaning: She really is singing to her (really fat) baby.to her (really fat) baby.

In the first instance, the singer is singing In the first instance, the singer is singing to a young man she is interested in – to a young man she is interested in – “baby” as sweetheart. This is the “baby” as sweetheart. This is the connotative meaning of “baby.”connotative meaning of “baby.”

Connotation and denotationConnotation and denotation

Denotation Denotation refers to the literal meaning of a word; the "dictionary refers to the literal meaning of a word; the "dictionary definition." For example, if you look up the word definition." For example, if you look up the word snakesnake in a dictionary, you in a dictionary, you will discover that one of its will discover that one of its denotativedenotative meanings is "any of numerous meanings is "any of numerous scaly, legless, sometimes venomous reptiles having a long, tapering, scaly, legless, sometimes venomous reptiles having a long, tapering, cylindrical body and found in most tropical and temperate regions." cylindrical body and found in most tropical and temperate regions."

ConnotationConnotation, on the other hand, refers to the associations that are , on the other hand, refers to the associations that are connected to a certain word or the emotional suggestions related to that connected to a certain word or the emotional suggestions related to that word. “Oooh, that guy who is dating two girls at once: He’s a snake.”word. “Oooh, that guy who is dating two girls at once: He’s a snake.”

For poets, connotation is very important because one word can pack a For poets, connotation is very important because one word can pack a powerful emotional punch if readers are able to understand multiple powerful emotional punch if readers are able to understand multiple meanings from it.meanings from it.

www.eng.fju.edu.tw/English_Literature/terms/denotation.htmwww.eng.fju.edu.tw/English_Literature/terms/denotation.htm

Connotation and denotationConnotation and denotation

A common example of the “emotional A common example of the “emotional suggestion” of connotation of different suggestion” of connotation of different words:words:

That young woman is so That young woman is so slimslim – the – the suggestion is a positive one; the young suggestion is a positive one; the young woman is in good physical shape.woman is in good physical shape.

That young woman is so That young woman is so skinnyskinny – the – the suggestion is that she is unhealthy or suggestion is that she is unhealthy or might even have an eating disorder.might even have an eating disorder.

Connotation and DenotationConnotation and Denotation

Write a brief paragraph in which you Write a brief paragraph in which you describe the car pictured on the next describe the car pictured on the next slide. Imagine you are texting to a slide. Imagine you are texting to a friend about seeing this car on the friend about seeing this car on the street parked next to your own car. street parked next to your own car. When you’re finished, please circle When you’re finished, please circle the nouns and adjectives you used in the nouns and adjectives you used in your description.your description.


Now, re-write the paragraph, but this Now, re-write the paragraph, but this time, imagine that the car belongs to you, time, imagine that the car belongs to you, and you need to sell it on Craig’s List. and you need to sell it on Craig’s List. Change the nouns and adjectives you Change the nouns and adjectives you circled in the original paragraph. You don’t circled in the original paragraph. You don’t want to lie in the ad by making this car want to lie in the ad by making this car seem like something it’s not. You want to seem like something it’s not. You want to give your description different meaning by give your description different meaning by using different words: This is connotation.using different words: This is connotation.


My original paragraphMy original paragraph Look at this Look at this abandoned abandoned beaterbeater parked right next to parked right next to

me. It is so me. It is so old!old! The The cheap,cheap, brown, factory brown, factory paint paint is is peeling off, the peeling off, the bald bald tirestires look like they haven’t been look like they haven’t been changed since the 1970s. It really shows its changed since the 1970s. It really shows its ageage. It . It turns my turns my stomachstomach..

My sales pitchMy sales pitch Check out this Check out this lost lost clclassic.assic. It is so It is so vintagevintage! Features ! Features

original, coffee-colored original, coffee-colored paint paint and and slick slick rimsrims from from America’s renowned America’s renowned muscle-car eramuscle-car era. It radiates . It radiates charactercharacter and is sure to turn heads! and is sure to turn heads!

Music as Narrative PoetryMusic as Narrative Poetry

OK, so let’s review, shall we?OK, so let’s review, shall we? For poets, connotation is very For poets, connotation is very

important because of it can give words important because of it can give words (and poems) multiple meanings. (and poems) multiple meanings.

So can the other poetic devices we So can the other poetic devices we have studied: figurative language.have studied: figurative language.

Let’s see how this works in music: a Let’s see how this works in music: a form of poetry. form of poetry.


We focus on music as narrative – that is, music that We focus on music as narrative – that is, music that tells a story. Most popular music tells a story in a very tells a story. Most popular music tells a story in a very limited number of words and contains all the elements limited number of words and contains all the elements of a narrative: themes, plots, conflicts, settings, and of a narrative: themes, plots, conflicts, settings, and characters.characters.

Most people listen to poetry in songs on a regular, if Most people listen to poetry in songs on a regular, if not daily, basis. Whether it is rock, country, rap, easy not daily, basis. Whether it is rock, country, rap, easy listening, religious, hip-hop, opera, heavy metal, or listening, religious, hip-hop, opera, heavy metal, or folk, music allows us to make connections between folk, music allows us to make connections between poetry as heard in music and written poetry. All the poetry as heard in music and written poetry. All the elements of poetry can usually be found in music: oral elements of poetry can usually be found in music: oral and aural familiarity; high appeal; rhyme and rhythm; and aural familiarity; high appeal; rhyme and rhythm; repetition; images; and often strong emotional content.repetition; images; and often strong emotional content.


Before we begin listening to narrative poems/song Before we begin listening to narrative poems/song selections, it may be helpful to review a few basic selections, it may be helpful to review a few basic poetic devices.poetic devices.

literal languageliteral language: think of this as the straight : think of this as the straight dictionary meaning. dictionary meaning. A tiger lives at the zoo.A tiger lives at the zoo.

figurative languagefigurative language: a symbolic or non-literal : a symbolic or non-literal explanation. explanation. He was a real tiger on the tennis court.He was a real tiger on the tennis court.

similesimile: a comparison between two unlike things, : a comparison between two unlike things, using “like” or “as.” using “like” or “as.” She is swift like an eagle and She is swift like an eagle and strong as a lion. strong as a lion.

metaphormetaphor: again, a comparison between two : again, a comparison between two unlike things but saying something unlike things but saying something isis something something else. else. The summer days are balm for my weary soulThe summer days are balm for my weary soul..

Music As Narrative PoetryMusic As Narrative Poetry

imageryimagery: use of concrete details that appeal : use of concrete details that appeal to the five senses. to the five senses. Warm, wet leaves floating Warm, wet leaves floating on moss-colored water and the croaking frogs’ on moss-colored water and the croaking frogs’ cracked notes in the twilight soothed my cracked notes in the twilight soothed my frayed nerves.frayed nerves.

personificationpersonification: human characteristics given : human characteristics given to non-human things. to non-human things. The midnight wind The midnight wind moaned its lonesome message to me.moaned its lonesome message to me.

rhymerhyme: the repetition of similar or identical : the repetition of similar or identical sounds. sounds. Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep.Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep.

rhythmrhythm: the arrangement of stressed and : the arrangement of stressed and unstressed sounds.unstressed sounds.


For now, I want to begin our analysis For now, I want to begin our analysis of poetry using the basic terms listed of poetry using the basic terms listed above and a simple three-step above and a simple three-step reflection. When we listen to a song reflection. When we listen to a song and read the accompanying lyrics, and read the accompanying lyrics, identify the theme, plot, characters, identify the theme, plot, characters, setting, and conflict. setting, and conflict.

““In the Ghetto”In the Ghetto”Elvis PresleyElvis Presley

As the snow fliesAs the snow flies

On a cold and gray On a cold and gray Chicago morningChicago morninga poor little baby child is a poor little baby child is bornbornin the ghettoin the ghetto

And his mama criesAnd his mama cries‘‘cause if there’s one thing cause if there’s one thing that she don’t needthat she don’t needit’s another hungry mouth it’s another hungry mouth to feedto feedin the ghetto.in the ghetto.

““In the Ghetto”In the Ghetto”

People don’t you understandPeople don’t you understand

The child needs a helping hand.The child needs a helping hand.

Or he’ll grow to be an angry young man some Or he’ll grow to be an angry young man some day.day.

Take a look at you and me. Take a look at you and me.

Are we too blind to see?Are we too blind to see?

Do we simply turn our heads and look the Do we simply turn our heads and look the other way.other way.


Well, the world turns,Well, the world turns,and a hungry little boy with a runny noseand a hungry little boy with a runny noseplays in the street as the cold wind blowsplays in the street as the cold wind blowsin the ghetto.in the ghetto.

And his hunger burns.And his hunger burns.So he starts to roam the streets at night,So he starts to roam the streets at night,and he learns how to steal and he learnsand he learns how to steal and he learnshow to fighthow to fightin the ghetto.in the ghetto.


Then one night in desperation, the young Then one night in desperation, the young man breaks away.man breaks away.He buys a gun, steals a car, tries to run, but He buys a gun, steals a car, tries to run, but he don’t get far.he don’t get far.And his mama cries.And his mama cries.

As the crowd gathers ‘round an angry young As the crowd gathers ‘round an angry young man, face down in the street, with a gun in man, face down in the street, with a gun in his hand,his hand,in the ghettoin the ghetto


And as her young man diesAnd as her young man dies

On a cold and gray Chicago mornin’On a cold and gray Chicago mornin’another little baby child is bornanother little baby child is born

in the ghettoin the ghetto

and his mama criesand his mama cries


Now we do this three-step process:Now we do this three-step process: STEP ONESTEP ONE: Read the lyrics and write one sentence : Read the lyrics and write one sentence

that summarizes the subject of the song/poem.that summarizes the subject of the song/poem. STEP TWOSTEP TWO: Read the lyrics a second time and write : Read the lyrics a second time and write

notes out to the side of the song that identifies notes out to the side of the song that identifies metaphors, similes, personification, imagery, etc. metaphors, similes, personification, imagery, etc. What message is communicated to you now? Write What message is communicated to you now? Write two to three sentences that explain your thoughts.two to three sentences that explain your thoughts.

STEP THREESTEP THREE: Read the lyrics a third time. What is : Read the lyrics a third time. What is the author trying to tell you? Evaluate the song. the author trying to tell you? Evaluate the song. What makes it interesting? What is the final What makes it interesting? What is the final message communicated to you? message communicated to you?


THREE STEP ANALYSISTHREE STEP ANALYSIS

STEP ONESTEP ONE: Read the lyrics and write one : Read the lyrics and write one sentence that summarizes the subject of sentence that summarizes the subject of the song/poem.the song/poem.

THIS STORY IS ABOUT A BOY’S TOUGH THIS STORY IS ABOUT A BOY’S TOUGH LIFE AND STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL IN THE LIFE AND STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL IN THE MEAN STREETS OF A CHICAGO GHETTO.MEAN STREETS OF A CHICAGO GHETTO.


STEP TWOSTEP TWO: Read the lyrics a second time and : Read the lyrics a second time and write notes out to the side of the song that write notes out to the side of the song that identifies metaphors, similes, personification, identifies metaphors, similes, personification, and imagery. What message is communicated and imagery. What message is communicated to you now? Write two to three sentences that to you now? Write two to three sentences that explain your thoughts.explain your thoughts.

THE LYRICS ARE PRETTY LITERAL BUT THERE IS THE LYRICS ARE PRETTY LITERAL BUT THERE IS SOME FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: “ARE WE TOO SOME FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: “ARE WE TOO BLIND TO SEE?” DOESN’T ASK ARE WE BLIND TO SEE?” DOESN’T ASK ARE WE PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO SEE, BUT RATHER DO PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO SEE, BUT RATHER DO WE SEE ONLY WHAT WE WANT TO SEE. WE SEE ONLY WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.


THE MORE TELLING POETIC DEVICE IS THE THE MORE TELLING POETIC DEVICE IS THE RHYTHM. THERE IS A REPETITION OF RHYTHM. THERE IS A REPETITION OF PAUSES FOR EMPHASIS ON CERTAIN LINES: PAUSES FOR EMPHASIS ON CERTAIN LINES: “IN THE GHETTO”; “AND HIS MAMA CRIES”; “IN THE GHETTO”; “AND HIS MAMA CRIES”; “AND AS HER YOUNG MAN DIES”; “AS THE “AND AS HER YOUNG MAN DIES”; “AS THE WORLD TURNS.” THIS SEEMS TO SET UP A WORLD TURNS.” THIS SEEMS TO SET UP A PATTERN AND A PREDICTABLE CYCLE OF PATTERN AND A PREDICTABLE CYCLE OF SOUNDS. ALSO, THIS SONG HAS A DRUM SOUNDS. ALSO, THIS SONG HAS A DRUM CADENCE THROUGHOUT, MUCH LIKE A CADENCE THROUGHOUT, MUCH LIKE A MARCH.MARCH.


STEP THREESTEP THREE: Read the lyrics a third time. What is : Read the lyrics a third time. What is the author trying to tell you? Evaluate the song. the author trying to tell you? Evaluate the song. What makes it interesting? What is the final What makes it interesting? What is the final message communicated to you? Write a one-message communicated to you? Write a one-paragraph summation.paragraph summation.

THE RHYTHMIC PATTERN HELPS ESTABLISH THE THE RHYTHMIC PATTERN HELPS ESTABLISH THE BASIS OF THE POEM: THE RELENTLESS ASPECT OF BASIS OF THE POEM: THE RELENTLESS ASPECT OF POVERTY. JUST AS THE SONG MARCHES ON TO THE POVERTY. JUST AS THE SONG MARCHES ON TO THE BEAT OF THE DRUM AND THE REPETITION OF BEAT OF THE DRUM AND THE REPETITION OF SOUNDS, POVERTY IS AN ENDLESS CYCLE THAT SOUNDS, POVERTY IS AN ENDLESS CYCLE THAT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL SOCIETY DOES SOMETHING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL SOCIETY DOES SOMETHING TO END IT INSTEAD OF LOOKING THE OTHER WAY. TO END IT INSTEAD OF LOOKING THE OTHER WAY.

““In The Ghetto”In The Ghetto”

THIS IS SEEN IN THE POEM WHEN, THIS IS SEEN IN THE POEM WHEN, AS ONE POVERTY VICTIM IS DYING AS ONE POVERTY VICTIM IS DYING (THE YOUNG MAN), ANOTHER (THE YOUNG MAN), ANOTHER POVERTY VICTIM IS BORN. “THE POVERTY VICTIM IS BORN. “THE WORLD TURNS” -- AND THE WORLD TURNS” -- AND THE DESPERATE LIFE OF THE GHETTO DESPERATE LIFE OF THE GHETTO CONTINUES.CONTINUES.

Now, it’s your turn to try it alone.Now, it’s your turn to try it alone.

Poetry AnalysisPoetry Analysis

For Ben Folds’ “Fred Jones, Part II”:For Ben Folds’ “Fred Jones, Part II”:

ON THE LYRIC SHEET:ON THE LYRIC SHEET: STEP ONESTEP ONE: Read the lyrics and write one sentence that : Read the lyrics and write one sentence that

summarizes the subject of the song/poem.summarizes the subject of the song/poem. STEP TWOSTEP TWO: Read the lyrics a second time and write notes : Read the lyrics a second time and write notes

out to the side of the song that identifies metaphors, out to the side of the song that identifies metaphors, similes, personification, imagery, etc. What message is similes, personification, imagery, etc. What message is communicated to you now? Write two to three sentences communicated to you now? Write two to three sentences that explain your thoughts.that explain your thoughts.

STEP THREESTEP THREE: Read the lyrics a third time. What is the : Read the lyrics a third time. What is the author trying to tell you? Evaluate the song. What makes it author trying to tell you? Evaluate the song. What makes it interesting? What is the final message communicated to interesting? What is the final message communicated to you? Write a reflection paragraph.you? Write a reflection paragraph.

Poetry AnalysisPoetry Analysis

Type a one-page essay (handwritten not accepted; double-Type a one-page essay (handwritten not accepted; double-spaced). Include discussion of the literary/poetic elements spaced). Include discussion of the literary/poetic elements used (figurative language, rhythm, etc.) Staple the lyrics used (figurative language, rhythm, etc.) Staple the lyrics with your three-step process to the typed page.with your three-step process to the typed page.

Stick to the structure we have studied:Stick to the structure we have studied: Third personThird person Present tensePresent tense

Grammar will count, so proofread carefully.Grammar will count, so proofread carefully. Pronoun/antecedent agreementPronoun/antecedent agreement Complete sentencesComplete sentences Parallel structureParallel structure Spelling, punctuationSpelling, punctuation

30 points: Due Monday, Nov. 26.30 points: Due Monday, Nov. 26.

poetry analysis our objectives: our objectives: to recognize the connotative and denotative meaning...

Documents

little baby

fat baby

connotative meaning

young woman

word snake

certain word

denotative meaning of

literal meaning