Rowell--English Eleven
Poetry Questions: TALKING BACK TO A POEM
Talking Back to a Poem
FROM POETS.ORG
It would be convenient if there were a short list of universal questions, ones that could be used anytime with any poem. In the absence of such a list, here are a few general questions that you might ask when approaching a poem for the first time:
Who is the speaker? Who or what is the audience?
The speaker is most likely the poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson. The audience was intended to be all of the people who attended the ceremony of the completion of the Concord Monument, but as we can see the extent of this song/poem reached far beyond that.
What circumstances gave rise to the poem? What situation is presented?
The tragedies and The poem references …show more content…
The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a sort of chant and song-like rhythm, which would make sense since this poem was meant to be sung (as stated in the description). Also, it is apparent in cases like, “since in silence slept” “down the dark stream” and “deed redeem”, the poem uses intentionally sound devices to give their poem a certain tone. For example, in the phrase “since in silence slept”, the s sound indicates a snake-like slyness or danger. In the context of the entire stanza, this contributes to the meaning of the broken ties with British--thus leading to war between the two peoples. Likewise,
Does the poem spring from an identifiable historical moment?
In 1775, the British and the colonists fought against each other in the battles of Lexington and Concord, symbolizing the start of the American revolution. As a description to the poem, it states that it was sung at the celebration of the completion of the Concord monument in 1836. The poem also mentions the “minutemen” or patriot militia that fought in these battles. They refer the start of this war by first shot fired in “April’s breeze”, which was when these battles were fought.
Does the poem speak from a specific …show more content…
For example, in stanza 2, the speaker says “And Time the ruined bridge has swept // Down the dark stream which seaward creeps”. Here, the speaker suggests a literal meaning, which bridges and rivers/streams, like the Delaware River, become very important symbols of the the American Revolution. On the other hand, bridges can represent two pieces of things being bonded together. In this particular quote, the “ruined bridge” symbolizes how the ties between America and Britain have been broken-- which also demonstrates America’s fight for independence.
If the poem is a question, what is the answer? If the poem is an answer, what is the question?
The poem does not address a particular question.
What does the title suggest?
The title has both literal and figurative connotations. For instance, “Concord hymn” can refer to the poem as being a song-like chant or anthem about the Concord Monument and American Revolution. On the other hand, “hymn” signifies a religious song or poem, usually to show reverence for a religious figure or event. The word “hymn” in relation to the events and figures of the American Revolution gives a strong patriotic
Poetry Questions: TALKING BACK TO A POEM
Talking Back to a Poem
FROM POETS.ORG
It would be convenient if there were a short list of universal questions, ones that could be used anytime with any poem. In the absence of such a list, here are a few general questions that you might ask when approaching a poem for the first time:
Who is the speaker? Who or what is the audience?
The speaker is most likely the poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson. The audience was intended to be all of the people who attended the ceremony of the completion of the Concord Monument, but as we can see the extent of this song/poem reached far beyond that.
What circumstances gave rise to the poem? What situation is presented?
The tragedies and The poem references …show more content…
The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a sort of chant and song-like rhythm, which would make sense since this poem was meant to be sung (as stated in the description). Also, it is apparent in cases like, “since in silence slept” “down the dark stream” and “deed redeem”, the poem uses intentionally sound devices to give their poem a certain tone. For example, in the phrase “since in silence slept”, the s sound indicates a snake-like slyness or danger. In the context of the entire stanza, this contributes to the meaning of the broken ties with British--thus leading to war between the two peoples. Likewise,
Does the poem spring from an identifiable historical moment?
In 1775, the British and the colonists fought against each other in the battles of Lexington and Concord, symbolizing the start of the American revolution. As a description to the poem, it states that it was sung at the celebration of the completion of the Concord monument in 1836. The poem also mentions the “minutemen” or patriot militia that fought in these battles. They refer the start of this war by first shot fired in “April’s breeze”, which was when these battles were fought.
Does the poem speak from a specific …show more content…
For example, in stanza 2, the speaker says “And Time the ruined bridge has swept // Down the dark stream which seaward creeps”. Here, the speaker suggests a literal meaning, which bridges and rivers/streams, like the Delaware River, become very important symbols of the the American Revolution. On the other hand, bridges can represent two pieces of things being bonded together. In this particular quote, the “ruined bridge” symbolizes how the ties between America and Britain have been broken-- which also demonstrates America’s fight for independence.
If the poem is a question, what is the answer? If the poem is an answer, what is the question?
The poem does not address a particular question.
What does the title suggest?
The title has both literal and figurative connotations. For instance, “Concord hymn” can refer to the poem as being a song-like chant or anthem about the Concord Monument and American Revolution. On the other hand, “hymn” signifies a religious song or poem, usually to show reverence for a religious figure or event. The word “hymn” in relation to the events and figures of the American Revolution gives a strong patriotic