You might also search online for audio or video recordings of people reading the poem out loud—their tone and inflection might be a little different from yours. If you can find a clip of the poet reading their own poem, even better! Try writing down your first impressions while you’re reading, like how the poem makes you feel and what you think it’s about, as well as any questions you have about it.
For instance, it might seem like you’re reading a poem about an egg, but if the title is “Broken Heart,” you might realize it’s about how fragile the speaker feels after a painful loss. [2] X Research source In some cases, the poem might simply be titled something like “Sonnet 47. ” That might not seem like it gives you much information, but from that, you can determine that the poem is in the sonnet form and is part of a series of numbered sonnets written by the same poet.
For example, you may notice that there are a lot of short, clipped lines in the poem, creating a jumpy rhythm. Or you may notice there are a lot of long lines that flow on into the other, creating a more fluid rhythm. The meter of the poem—or the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables—will also play into the rhythm. Like most things with poetry, this can be different depending on who’s reading the poem. Don’t worry about what’s right or wrong. Instead, just think about how the poem seems to you.
Ask yourself, “Why would the poet organize the stanzas this way?” “What does the structure of the poem have to do with the meaning of the poem?” Poems can also be divided into numbered sections instead of stanzas. Try writing down a quick summary or title for each stanza of the poem. This may help you see how they all fit together in the larger scheme of the poem.
Label each set of rhyming syllables with a letter to track the rhyme scheme. For example, if the first and third lines end with “cat” and “bat,” you would label those lines with “A. " If the second and fourth lines end with “there” and “scare,” you would label them with “B,” so the rhyme scheme would be “ABAB. " If you notice there are different rhymes used later in the poem, use “C” and “D” and so on to note them. Certain types of rhymes will follow a set rhyme scheme. For instance, a ballad usually has a rhyme scheme of “ABCB. “[7] X Research source
For example, a poem that has 3 lines and follows a 5-7-5 syllable pattern is probably a haiku. You might talk about how haikus are traditionally meant to evoke a vivid image or emotion. [9] X Research source
Also, ask yourself whether the same person is speaking throughout the person, and whether they’re speaking to the same person the whole time. For example, if you were analyzing the poem “Digging” by Seamus Heaney, you may notice the poem is in first person and the speaker is the only person talking in the poem. However, there are three characters in the poem: the speaker, his father, and his grandfather. [12] X Research source
Notice which lines seem to really stand out and give the poem meaning. Especially pay attention to the last lines, as they’re usually especially important. [14] X Research source Sometimes you’ll lose certain details in your paraphrasing, so don’t rely on this copy for your full analysis. For instance, you might not get the same imagery, and the words might not evoke the same emotions. However, it can help you get a sense of the poem’s basic meaning. [15] X Research source
If the poem mentions banners waving, trumpets, and parades, the tone might be celebratory and triumphant, for instance. If it deals with snow, bare trees, and still air, the tone might be sad or lonely. However, you might also feel like it has a certain romantic aspect, as well.
For example, if you’re reading a poem about a mother who dreams of traveling the world, it might have very different interpretations if it’s happening in modern-day America than if would if it were set in an earlier time or in a culture where women are currently oppressed. Think about the meaning of the seasons—a poem set in spring might be about new life and hope, while a poem set in fall might be about fading life. The time of day can hold symbolism, as well. For instance, nighttime is often associated with themes like loneliness or romance, whereas morning tends to be a time of promise.
For example, you may notice in the poem “Daddy” by Sylvia Plath, the words “daddy,” “Jew,” and “you” appear multiple times. They are used in different ways each time they are mentioned, giving the words many different meanings in the context of the poem. [20] X Research source
For example, if the author mentions “snow in the moonlight,” in your mind’s eye, you might picture soft light glinting off the snow, feel the chilly night air, and even smell the clean, cold scent of snow. You may then discuss how these concrete images add to the themes or main ideas in the poem. They may also move you emotionally as a reader and give you a clear sense of the speaker’s point of view.
Certain symbols are common in poetry, like a snake representing betrayal or dishonesty or a budding flower representing life and hope.
When you’re trying to figure out the theme, think about how everything in the poem—including the tone, setting, speaker, and imagery—all connect with each other. [24] X Research source For example, in Heaney’s poem “Digging,” the speaker looks at the different ways his family works. The speaker works with a pen and paper to dig for the truth and for survival, while his family dug the earth for potatoes to eat and live. The poem explores themes like “family,” “survival,” and “individual expression. ”
Check online for a biography of the poet. Read more of the poet’s other works online or at your local library to get a better sense of their style and interests.
