I am pretty good at writing papers, but poetry is my weakness. I have to read "For C" by Richard Wilbur and I am having the hardest time analyzing it. Please help me!

I forgot to mention what questions I need to answer.

1. With what kind of couples is the speaker comparing himself and his partner. What is his hypothesis about why they are different?

2. There are other smaller comparisons that appear in the poem. What are they and what to they contribute to Wilbur's meaning?

3. When Wilbur read this poem to an audience in 1990, toward the end of the poem the audience got very quiet and then at the last line made a collective sound as if all had been holding in their breath and could now start to breath again. Can you explain why listeners might have had that reaction to the end of the poem?

In order to understand and analyze poetry, you need to read and reread and reread with deliberation first. Follow the directions for how to read poetry in one or both of these:

http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/markport/best/study/poetry.htm
At least steps 1 - 5.

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/poetry-explication.html

Then post rough drafts of your responses to those three questions, and I'll help you with them.

Of course, I'd be happy to help you analyze "For C" by Richard Wilbur. Analyzing poetry can sometimes feel challenging, but with a systematic approach, it can become more manageable.

1. Read the poem multiple times: Begin by reading the poem several times to get a sense of its overall theme and message. Pay attention to the language, imagery, and any recurring motifs or symbols.

2. Identify the poem's structure: Observe the poem's structure, including the number of stanzas, lines per stanza, and rhyme scheme (if applicable). Note any variations or patterns within the structure that may contribute to the poem's meaning.

3. Consider the title: Reflect upon the significance of the title, "For C." Think about who or what "C" might refer to. Consider how the title may relate to the content of the poem.

4. Examine language and imagery: Analyze the choice of words and images used in the poem. Look for any literary devices such as similes, metaphors, personification, or symbols. Consider how these contribute to the overall meaning and themes of the poem.

5. Explore themes and meaning: Identify the central themes or messages conveyed in the poem. Look for deeper meanings and any emotional or philosophical insights that the poet might be expressing. Consider the tone and mood created by the language and imagery.

6. Connect with the poet's context: Research the poet's background and the historical or cultural context in which the poem was written. This can provide valuable insights into the intentions and influences behind the poem.

7. Analyze the structure: Look closely at the poem's structure to see if it reflects or reinforces any themes or ideas. Consider the impact of line breaks, repetition, enjambment, or any other structural elements that may shape the poem's meaning.

8. Interpretation: Based on your observations, begin forming your interpretation of the poem. Consider how the various elements come together to create a coherent whole. Ask yourself what the poet might be trying to communicate and how the poem relates to your own personal experience or the broader human condition.

Remember, poetry is open to interpretation, and different readers may derive varying meanings from the same poem. Make sure to support your analysis with evidence from the text, and don't be afraid to explore multiple perspectives.