Homework Help: English: Writing: Three Levels of Understanding Poetry

1) The factual or literal level
what the poem is about
eg a tree growing
or
a man dying

2)inferential level
what the poem means
eg the tree is strong in the forest
or
the man isn't ready for death

3) thematic level
what the poem believes
eg trees should be protected in their natural environment
or
people should make the most of their lives.

Going from level 1-3, the understanding of a poem typically becomes more complex.

Homework Help: English: Writing

For Further Reading