I need help on figuring out the type of poem and developing a theme and meaning the themes/meaning is confusing me on some of them
“No, Thank You, John”
I never said I loved you, John:
Why will you tease me day by day,
And wax a weariness to think upon
With always “do” and “pray”?
You know I never loved you John;
No fault of mine made me your toast:
Why will you haunt me with a face as wan
As shows an hour-old ghost?
I dare say Meg or Moll would take
Pity upon you, if you’d ask:
And pray don’t remain single for my sake
Who can’t perform that task.
I have no heart?—Perhaps I have not;
But then you’re mad to take offense
That I don’t give you what I haven’t got:
Use your own common sense.
Let bygones be bygones:
Don’t call me false, who owed not to be true:
I’d rather answer “No” to fifty Johns
Than answer “Yes” to you.
Let’s mar our pleasant days no more,
Song-birds of passage, days of youth:
Catch at today, forget the days before:
I’ll wink at your untruth.
Let us strike hands as hearty friends;
No more, no less; and friendship’s good:
Only don’t keep ulterior ends,
And points not understood
In open treaty. Rise above
Quibbles and shuffling off and on:
Here’s friendship for you if you like; but love,—
No, thank you, John.
Author: Christina Rossetti Type of Poem: ______________________
Poetry/Literary Terms:
Theme/Meaning:
“Eulogy for a Hermit Crab” p.916
Author: ________________________________ Type of Poem: ______________________
Poetry/Literary Terms:
Theme/Meaning:
“Fog”
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
Author: ___Carl Sandburg___________ Type of Poem: ______________________
Poetry/Literary Terms:
Theme/Meaning:
“Eldorado”
Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.
But he grew old-
This knight so bold-
And o'er his heart a shadow
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.
And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow-
"Shadow," said he,
"Where can it be-
This land of Eldorado?"
"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied-
"If you seek for Eldorado!"
Author: Edgar Allan Poe Type of Poem: ______________________
Poetry/Literary Terms:
Theme/Meaning:
Read through the types of poems listed and explained here to decide about the ones you are dealing with:
http://www.types-of-poetry.org.uk/
I can tell you right now that none of them are sonnets and that Sandburg's is a form called Free Verse.
To determine a theme, ask yourself this question after you read each one: "What secret message does the poet want his readers to understand."
Go here: http://www.readworks.org/lessons/grade5/words-wings-treasury-african-american-poetry-and-art/lesson-3
Scroll down to the DIRECT TEACHING section and read it all.
And here are a couple of good websites to help you with literary terms:
http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/
and
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/style
Let us know what you come up with.
In order to determine the type of poem and develop the theme and meaning, we can analyze the language, structure, and literary devices used in each poem. Let's start with "No, Thank You, John" by Christina Rossetti.
Type of Poem: "No, Thank You, John" is a dramatic monologue. It is a poem in which a single character, in this case the speaker, expresses their thoughts and feelings to another person, John.
Poetry/Literary Terms: Some of the poetic devices used in this poem include rhyme (e.g., "tease me day by day" and "shows an hour-old ghost"), repetition (e.g., "No, thank you, John"), and metaphor (e.g., "Song-birds of passage").
Theme/Meaning: The theme of this poem is the rejection of unwanted advances. The speaker repeatedly states that they do not love John and do not want to be pursued by him. It explores the theme of boundaries and the importance of respecting someone's feelings and desires.
Moving on to "Eulogy for a Hermit Crab" by _____________:
Type of Poem: Without knowing the author of this poem, it is difficult to determine the specific type. However, based on the title, it is likely a eulogy or a poem mourning the death of a hermit crab.
Poetry/Literary Terms: To analyze the literary devices used in this poem, we would need the specific text of the poem. Unfortunately, it is not provided here.
Theme/Meaning: Again, without having the specific text of the poem, it is challenging to determine the theme and meaning. However, based on the title and the nature of a eulogy, the theme might revolve around loss, grief, and the fragility of life.
Now let's move on to "Fog" by Carl Sandburg:
Type of Poem: "Fog" is a concise and descriptive poem known as a haiku. It consists of three short lines and traditionally evokes nature imagery.
Poetry/Literary Terms: This haiku uses personification, describing the fog as having cat-like qualities (e.g., "little cat feet," "sits looking," and "silent haunches").
Theme/Meaning: The theme of this brief poem is the mysterious and transient nature of fog. It suggests the quiet, subtle movements of fog as it engulfs a harbor and city, highlighting the theme of impermanence.
Lastly, let's analyze "Eldorado" by Edgar Allan Poe:
Type of Poem: "Eldorado" is a narrative poem. It tells a story about a knight's journey in search of the legendary city called Eldorado.
Poetry/Literary Terms: This poem features rhyme (e.g., "shadow" and "Eldorado") and repetition (e.g., the phrase "Eldorado").
Theme/Meaning: The theme of this poem is the elusive nature of happiness or fulfillment. The knight searches for Eldorado throughout his life but only finds disappointment and a sense of failure in the end. It explores the idea that the pursuit of a perfect place or state may be futile.
By analyzing the language, structure, and literary devices in each poem, we can identify the type of poem and interpret its theme and meaning.