TP-CASTT Poetry Analysis

TITLE: Consider the title and make a prediction about what the poem is about.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________PARAPHRASE: Translate the poem line by line into your own words on a literal level. Look for complete thoughts (sentences may be inverted) and look up unfamiliar words.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________CONNOTATION: Examine the poem for meaning beyond the literal. Look for figurative language, imag-ery, and sound elements.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ATTITUDE/TONE: Notice the speaker’s tone and attitude. Humor? Sarcasm? Awe?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________SHIFTS: Note any shifts or changes in speaker or attitude. Look for key words, time change, punctuation.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________TITLE: Examine the title again, this time on an interpretive level.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________THEME: Briefly state in your own words what the poem is about (subject), then what the poet is saying about the subject (theme).

Name: Class:

"Emily Dickinson's House" by zozolka is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

"I'm Nobody! Who Are You?" from Poems: Series Two by Emily Dickinson (1891) is in the public domain.

I'm Nobody! Who Are You?By Emily Dickinson

1891

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was an American poet who lived a mostly introverted, secluded life,maintaining friendships through written letters. She wrote over 1800 poems in her seclusion, most of whichwere published after her death. As you read, take notes on the speaker's opinions on personal living andwhat it takes to be a “somebody.”

I’m Nobody! Who are you?Are you – Nobody – too?Then there’s a pair of us!Don’t tell! they’d advertise – you know!

How dreary – to be – Somebody!How public – like a Frog –To tell one’s name – the livelong June –To an admiring Bog!

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Text-Dependent QuestionsDirections: For the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete sentences.

1. Which of the following statements best summarizes a theme of the poem?A. Sometimes it can be fun for people to pretend they are invisible.B. It is better to maintain a private identity than seek fame and recognition.C. Private living will prevent the spread of public gossip.D. Public life is exhausting and not worth the e;ort.

2. What does the word “advertise” mean as used in line 4?A. to commercializeB. to revealC. to publicizeD. to promote

3. What is the signi:cance of line 3 in the overall meaning of the poem?A. It conveys that nobodies can experience companionship rather than simply

isolation.B. It implies that the speaker has never met another nobody before and is not sure

how to respond.C. It reveals that the speaker is lonely and looking for a meaningful relationship in

life.D. It shows that there is more power in being a group of nobodies compared to

just one somebody.

4. How does the speaker use diction and :gurative language to portray what it’s like to be a“Somebody” and how does this impact the meaning of the text? Cite evidence from thepoem to support your answer.

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Discussion QuestionsDirections: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared toshare your original ideas in a class discussion.

1. What does it mean to be “somebody” and what does it mean to be “nobody”? Which isbetter in the context of this poem? Which is better in your opinion?

2. In the context of this poem, what makes you who you are? Cite evidence from this text, yourown experience, and other literature, art, or history in your answer.

3. Dickinson is famous for isolating herself from society. In the context of this poem, whatdoes it mean to be alone? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and otherliterature, art, or history in your answer.

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Name: Class:

"Untitled" by Neven Krcmarek is licensed under CC0

"No Man Is An Island" by John Donne (1624) is in the public domain.

No Man Is An IslandBy John Donne

1624

John Donne (1572-1631) was an English poet whose time spent as a cleric in the Church of England oftenin5uenced the subjects of his poetry. In 1623, Donne su6ered a nearly fatal illness, which inspired him towrite a book of meditations on pain, health, and sickness called Devotions upon Emergent Occasions.“No Man is an Island” is a famous section of “Meditation XVII” from this book. As you read, take notes onhow the author uses 4gurative language to describe humanity.

Modern Version

No man is an island entire of itself; every manis a piece of the continent, a part of the main;if a clod1 be washed away by the sea, Europeis the less, as well as if a promontory2 were, aswell as any manner of thy friends or of thineown were; any man's death diminishes me,because I am involved in mankind.And therefore never send to know for whomthe bell tolls;3 it tolls for thee.

Early Modern English Version

No man is an Iland, intire of itselfe; every manis a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine;if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europeis the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, aswell as if a Manor of thy friends or of thineowne were; any mans death diminishes me,because I am involved in Mankinde;And therefore never send to know for whomthe bell tolls; It tolls for thee.

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1. a clump of soil2. a point of high land that juts out into a large body of water, like a peninsula3. ringing a bell to mark or announce something (such as the time or a person's passing)

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Text-Dependent QuestionsDirections: For the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete sentences.

1. Which of the following best describes a theme of the poem?A. People tend to care only about themselves and cannot easily connect with

others.B. Peace among diDerent people and countries is possible through shared grief.C. Everyone and everything in the world is connected as part of a larger whole.D. Loneliness is one of the worst fates one can suDer and no one should have to

bear it.

2. How does the Cgurative language in lines 1-4 develop the poem’s theme?A. It compares people to land masses, and when one clod is washed away it

lessens the continent; this develops the theme of connection betweenindividuals as parts of a whole.

B. It compares people to islands, and when one island loses land it only impactsthe one island; this develops the theme of people who exist within their ownworlds.

C. It compares the world to the continent of Europe; this develops the theme ofEuropean expansion across the world, uniting diDerent parts of it under colonialrule.

D. It compares diDerent peoples to land masses, and when one clod is washedaway it lessens the continent; this develops the theme of peace and unityamong diDerent countries.

3. PART A: What does the word “diminish” most likely mean as used in line 6?A. to endB. to belittleC. to lessenD. to sadden

4. PART B: Which of the following quotes best supports the answer to Part A?A. “No man is an island entire of itself” (Line 1)B. “if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe / is the less” (Lines 3-4)C. “as any manner of thy friends or of thine / own were” (Lines 5-6)D. “I am involved in mankind.” (Line 7)

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5. How do lines 8-9 contribute to the overall meaning of the poem?

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Discussion QuestionsDirections: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared toshare your original ideas in a class discussion.

1. How does our modern society value connection between people? Is this similar to howDonne conceived of it?

2. In the context of this poem, how do people face death? How are people aDected or notaDected by grief today? Cite evidence from the text, your personal experience, or othersources of history and literature.

3. How does the poet likely deCne friendship? What does it mean to be a friend?

4. In the context of this poem, what is the importance of community? What does it mean to bea part of a community? Cite evidence from the text, your personal experience, or othersources of history and literature.

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