Here is a list of literary devices.
Choose a nice list of devices and either choose a poem that contains these devices or write an original poem that makes use of the devices.
If you choose a poem, point out the lines containing the devices and comment on how the devices are used and how they add to the beauty or meaning of the piece.
If you are writing an original poem, tell us how you hoped the devices would add to the meaning and or beauty of the poem.
The poem I chose is Irony by Louis Untermeyer. I chose this poem because I thought the entire piece was extremely ironic. I mean, the piece is filled with irony and then the author goes ahead and names it irony, which makes it even more ironic. The entire poem is just one big circle of irony. The main points of the poem are about how ironic our lives our and how ironic it is that we will die while everything around us will live. Untermeyer focuses her poem around the irony of life and death. The first stanza brings up the interesting point that the things that "live" forever are the ones that are not actually alive. These inanimate objects are the things that will exist until the end of time, long after we are gone. The second stanza brings in how humanity plays into this. The first two lines of the second stanza really made me think a lot. The lines are " The grass our fathers cut away
ReplyDeleteIs growing on their graves today;" I find this kind of funny because the things we take care of today, appreciate, and work for are the things that will be here long after we are gone. I really enjoyed this poem because it made me think a lot. It brought up some interesting points that I never really thought of. I also like literary works that contain irony, they make me see things more clearly than if they did not contain irony. I think that irony can add to a piece a lot and this poem shows just how that can be achieved.
As human beings, we rarely contemplate with the fact that while our lives will perish, the world around us will be left behind. I think that we all need to consider this fact more seriously, and focus on making the world a better place for generations to come. Our lives are so minuscule when we really sit back to think about it. We waste so much time trying to acquire earthly things, when really, we should be giving our own talents to make the world a better place.
DeleteThis poem is creepy but very interesting. I cannot say that I ever thought of life after I died except for the people that I will leave behind. The objects that are never alive will still sit there in the same place I left them until someone moves them, but they will never leave. Unlike those objects, we are not stuck here forever. It is ironic that what is now alive will die, and what is now dead will live on earth forever.
DeleteIt is ironic, Abbey, that the inanimate objects that matter less than human life actually last longer. But I guess it's better to be able to emotions and even pain than be forever present as an object yet unable to see and feel the world around you.
DeleteIt is rather ironic that the only things that will be around long after we are gone are the things that really don't matter. I never have taken the time to actually think about such things...and hey, a poem about irony should ironically be called irony. But anyway, when we are gone, we will have literally lived for about 0.00000% percent of the earth's existence...if you decide to go to 6 significant figures. But even though we will not have lived that long in the grand scheme of things, we still were here and still have an impact.
Deletehttp://www.poetryoutloud.org/poem/27880
ReplyDeleteThe poem I selected is entitled "Old Men Playing Basketball" and it is by B.H. Fairchild. I really love this poem, mainly because it presents a sense of timelessness and youthfulness that comes with the game of basketball. Basketball has always been a big part of my life, as my dad as well as my brothers have always had a passion for the game, and that passion inevitably rubbed off on me. This poem in particular reminds me of my dad, and how much he loves the game, even though he is now just an "old man playing basketball."
There are a variety of literary devices utilized in this poem, and they all contribute to its overall effect. Three of these devices include symbolism, personification, and imagery. Firstly, I noticed that Fairchild may have used certain terms to convey symbols that are representative of his youth. It is clear that basketball was a central part of his growing up, but this poem gives the audience insight into other, more personal aspects of Fairchild's childhood. Fairchild mentions "army fatigues and house shoes," as well as "the VFW." Both of these symbols suggest that the army was an important element of his life. This personal insight through the use of symbolism adds to the piece by showing that this poem is about more than just the game of basketball.
A second literary device I noted was that of personification. Fairchild uses personification a great deal throughout this piece in an attempt to add to the liveliness of the poem. One line in which personification is evident is "Their gestures, in love again with the pure geometry of curves, rise toward the ball, falter, and fall away." Here, Fairchild is describing the beauty in the body's rhythm while playing basketball by claiming that their gestures fall in love with the physical forms of the game. Additionally, Fairchild uses the phrase "drunken moon" to describe the state of the night as the boys return home.
A third literary device utilized in this piece is imagery. Fairchild uses imagery to add to the beauty of the poem by presenting the audience with an understanding of the aspects that make up his youth. He is suggesting that it is the intricate aspects that make a time in life significant. While it is probable that Fairchild used these devices to conceal deeper meanings, these are the elements that I picked up on.
While reading your poem, I pictured the exact title of the poem, old men playing basketball. It is humerous in a way when thinking about that, and the title itself is imagery. At the end of your blog, you mentioned that there are deeper meanings to this poem, which has to be true. They are hard to pick up on in this case because I was distracted the entire time picturing old men running around like children, but I would love to know exactly what the author was thinking when writing this poem.
DeleteMary, I read that poem and all I could think about was your dad playing basketball. I think it's hilarious that even though people get old, their love for a sport never fades. And that is how it should be. And I like how you pointed out there were deeper meanings to this poem. I was really distracted the whole time thinking about your dad playing basketball, so I thought this poem was really funny.
DeleteThe poem "Alone" by Edgar Allen Poe is filled with many literary devices. The first device that can be easily found in the poem is rhyme. Every line rhymes it's ending word with the ending word of the next line. This poem is written in first person and tells the story of the author's own experience. "Alone" did not have any stanzas in it, which added to the emotion by simply expressing feeling with little preparation. Enjambment is used because Poe writes in sentences but breaks them up between lines, while imagery overtakes the poem and describes Poe's childhood is a mysterious way. The tone of this piece is one of depression and loneliness and personification is used when he says that he cannot wake his sorrow. It is taking over who he is. This poem is filled with ambiguity and can be interpreted in many ways, depending on how deep the poem is contemplated and also by who is contemplating it. "As others were" and "as others saw" are examples of repetition that catches the reader's attention. Collectively, these literary devices add to the overall mood of the poem. Poe is contemplating his sad childhood that is not the same as everyone else's. He is not happy because he is unique and alone. This poem is easily relatable because many people feel alone while growing up if they are different. It is hard to stand out in a crowd, and that is why I love this poem. It is upsetting to realize how Poe felt because unique character is not valued as much as it should be.
ReplyDeletehttp://able2know.org/topic/46013-1
Grace, you mentioned that the poem has no separate stanzas. Do you think perhaps that was significant? Maybe the fact that the poem stood by itself, without a variety of stanzas, was a direct reference to the loneliness that Poe evidently felt during his childhood. It seems as if there are a lot of poets who use the physical presentation of their poem to conceal additional meanings that the poem itself does not convey. One example that comes to mind is a poem Kaitlin Quinn wrote a few years ago. It was entitled "Blank," and she covered the entire page with the words of the poem, giving it a unique effect. I always think arranging a poem in a unique way like that is really intriguing.
DeleteGrace, your blog is excellent. You found so many literary devices in this poem. I think that the depth of emotion Poe is trying to express directly influences how many devices he used. He had so much to say, but didn't take very much time to express his thoughts. He limited his poem physically, but was still able to share his loneliness and individuality.
DeleteI really enjoy all of Poe's poetry because it's scary enough without being too scary (especially for me a wimp). I think so many people regard Poe as a horror writer that they forget that he also is brilliant in a literary sense. I think your poem is a great example of how Poe is not only creative but a skilled writer.
DeleteThe metaphors Poe uses to describe his childhood are truly sad. It is sad his differences made him feel estranged. It also though gives great insight to the psychological ramifications from Poe's lonely childhood. However sad it is, it is great that Poe found an outlet for his frustration later through writing about it instead of going mentally insane and executing a mass shooting like we are hearing about all too often in the present time.
Deletehttp://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/1741
ReplyDeleteThe poem I chose is Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe. I just find this poem to be beautifully sad. I am a hopeless romantic so this poem really tugs on my heart strings. The first time I read it a couple years ago, I actually cried.
The first literary device Edgar Allan Poe utilizes is repetition. All throughout the poem Poe reiterates "Annabel Lee." He repeats this seven times throughout the poem to emphasize his love and passion for her. He puts "of the beautiful" in front of her name three times, then the other four have an alternative beginning.
The second literary device Poe uses is rhyming. In the beginning each line rhymes with every other one, but as it goes on, only every other line rhymes. But in the end, Poe comes back with rhyming the ending with every other line. One line even has a rhyme in it. It says, "and the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes." Poe rhymes less when he begins talking about Annabel Lee and how and why she was taken from him. Then he goes back to rhyming more when he talks about how he still lays with her and dreams of her.
The third literary device Poe utilizes is allusion. Most of the poem is an allusion except the last few lines. The poem begins by saying, "It was many and many a year ago." Then Poe goes on to use verbs in the past tense. The poem is an allusion because he is reminiscing the relationship and love of Annabel Lee. The allusion contrasts perfectly with the last few lines which are present tense because it shows that although Annabel Lee is part of his past and no longer physically there, she is still a prominent part of his life. It makes the loss even more tragic, because he is always thinking about her.
Lauren I think this is another great example of how Edgar Allan Poe can write more than just horror stories. By the repetition on the girl's name, it is easy to tell that he truly loves her. The fact that he also uses an allusion to their time together shows the fond memories they had and the time they grey closer. I think that the rhetorical strategies that were strategically placed by Poe helped to show his true love for this girl.
DeleteThe poem I chose was "Ode to a Grecian Urn" by John Keats. I picked this poem at random with the help of Grace Bobby. It is a very interesting poem and I'm glad she thought I could make a good blog out of it.
ReplyDeleteThe first apparent literary device I notice was the rhyme. Within the ten-line stanzas, the first four lines rhyme in every other line. The poem is also written in iambic pentameter. These two devices help contribute to the flow and form of the poem. It may seem very structured, but it flows very naturally and sounds good when it is read aloud.
The next device I noticed was rhetorical questions. As Keats admires the urn, he speaks aloud several questions as to the decoration of the urn. These questions help the reader visualize the urn Keats is looking at. While Keats could have simply described the urn, the questions help the reader understand that Keats is contemplating the urn and its meaning, not simply looking at it or admiring it.
This poem also utilizes personification. In the very first line Keats describes the urn as an "unravish'd bride of quietness," and as a "foster-child of silence and slow time." These descriptions give the urn another dimension beyond a pot. The urn holds history and does not impart her secrets easily. She is quiet and shy, sharing only with those who make a true effort to understand her.
For my poem, I picked Life by Henry Van Dyke. I probably should post a link to my poem, so here you go http://100.best-poems.net/life-4.html. So it starts off with an alliteration in line 1. This put a sweet feeling on my tongue because I personally like alliterations. Then it becomes quickly apparent that the ending of every line rhymes with the ending of another line. This gives the poem a feeling almost like a limerick, which I think adds to the overall relaxed feeling of the poem. But it's actually kind of funny. The poem isn't really that relaxed. The poem actually tells a riveting tale and gives a life lesson on taking risks. There is repetition in in the first line when he remarks year to year. Alliterations are also present in lines 2, 3, and 6. Again, these alliterations left a sweet taste in my mouth. Man, there's nothing I love better than a great alliteration. Actually, I love Steeler victories, but that's a story for another week. I also love poems with a sage message, but that's a story for yet another week. I also love when the Ravens lose. Good gosh, I love so many things. Man, I just realized that there was another alliteration in line 10. Apparently Henry Van Dyke loves alliterations. I love them too though, this was like a match made in heaven. That was all I found in terms of literary devices. If you actually decide to read the poem and then decide to call me out on sucking at finding literary devices, then go for it. I love getting criticized.
ReplyDeleteGiz, this was a very sweet poem. It comes across as carefree and joyous, but tells the reader about the ups and downs of life. I really liked how you focused on the flow of the poem. It sounds really good when it is read out loud, and reading it like this helps the reader find the natural rhyme it posesses. I also like how you focused on how the sound affected the meaning. If a poem sounds relaxed but has an exciting message, the message may be diluted. Words have a very important job in poems because there aren't very many of them. The poet needs to utilize them carefully so that they are exactly perfect for the purpose they fulfill.
DeleteThe heavy bodies lunge, the broken language
ReplyDeleteof fake and drive, glamorous jump shot
slowed to a stutter. Their gestures, in love
again with the pure geometry of curves,
rise toward the ball, falter, and fall away.
On the boards their hands and fingertips
tremble in tense little prayers of reach
and balance. Then, the grind of bone
and socket, the caught breath, the sigh,
the grunt of the body laboring to give
birth to itself. In their toiling and grand
sweeps, I wonder, do they still make love
to their wives, kissing the undersides
of their wrists, dancing the old soft-shoe
of desire? And on the long walk home
from the VFW, do they still sing
to the drunken moon? Stands full, clock
moving, the one in army fatigues
and houseshoes says to himself, pick and roll,
and the phrase sounds musical as ever,
radio crooning songs of love after the game,
the girl leaning back in the Chevy’s front seat
as her raven hair flames in the shuddering
light of the outdoor movie, and now he drives,
gliding toward the net. A glass wand
of autumn light breaks over the backboard.
Boys rise up in old men, wings begin to sprout
at their backs. The ball turns in the darkening air.