Analyzing the Meaning of Poetry
Poetry uses different techniques to create different meanings. When you read a poem, watch for these kinds of techniques.
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Connotation is the feeling that words create. |
Grandma wore denim; mother wore silk. (Denim has the connotation of being inexpensive, durable, and practical; silk has the connotation of being expensive, delicate, and dressy.) |
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Denotation refers to the literal meaning of words. |
Grandma wore denim; mother wore silk. (Denim is a cotton fabric; silk is a fabric made from the cocoons of silkworms.) |
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Imagery refers to what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. |
In the trees, green leaves murmur. In the grass dance sunlight stars. (Imagery includes trees, green, murmur, grass, dance, sunlight stars.) |
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Metaphor is saying that one thing is another thing, without using like or as. |
The speech was a lighthouse beacon, Guiding me to shore. (The speech is a beacon.) |
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Personification is giving human qualities to nonhuman things. |
I wrestled the math problem all afternoon. It pinned me to the mat. (The math problem acts like a wrestler.) |
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Simile is comparing two things using like or as. |
My dog is like Saturday, Brimming with adventure and excitement. (The dog is compared to Saturday, using like.) |
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Symbol is using one thing to stand for another. |
She kept her heart in a safe Where no one could ever break it. (Her heart is a symbol of her inner self and her relationships.) |
Closely read a poem.
Closely read the following poem, paying attention to how the writer uses connotation, denotation, and other special techniques to create meaning.
Robin Redbreast
William Allingham
Goodbye, goodbye to Summer!
For Summer’s nearly done;
The garden smiling faintly,
Cool breezes in the sun;
Our Thrushes now are silent,
Our Swallows flown away—
But Robin’s here, in coat of brown,
With ruddy breast-knot gay.
Robin, Robin Redbreast,
O Robin dear!
Robin singing sweetly
In the falling of the year.
Bright yellow, red, and orange,
The leaves come down in hosts;
The trees are Indian Princes,
But soon they’ll turn to Ghosts;
The leathery pears and apples
Hang russet on the bough,
It’s Autumn, Autumn, Autumn late,
“Twill soon be winter now.
Robin, Robin Redbreast,
O Robin dear!
And what will this poor Robin do?
For pinching days are near.
The fireside for the Cricket,
The wheatsack for the Mouse,
When trembling night-winds whistle
And moan all round the house;
The frosty ways like iron,
The branches plumed with snow—
Alas! in Winter, dead, and dark,
Where can poor Robin go?
Robin, Robin Redbreast,
O Robin dear!
And a crumb of bread for Robin,
His little heart to cheer.
Analyze the poem for meaning.
Analyze the meaning of "Robin Redbreast" by William Allingham by answering the following questions.
- What is the connotation of “Cool breezes in the sun”?
- What imagery describes Robin?
- What metaphors describe the trees?
- What is the connotation of “pinching days”?
- What simile using “like” appears in the last part?
- What do you think Robin symbolizes?