Today, we learned a number of poetry terms and looked at examples together. Each class discussed the following: general feelings; Poet and Speaker; Rhyme; Assonance; Consonance; Alliteration; Metaphor; Narrative and Lyric; and Structure.  Quiz on these terms.

Morning Class Notes [Afternoon Class Notes]

General Comments

The poem is warm. Or, perhaps my feeling is warm. Actually, it seems real, like something that happens to me sometimes. Some of the comparisons he makes, I’m not quite sure about it. It is heart warming to see the relationship between the father and the son. It is a kind of reminder to pay more attention to my son. The poet may wish to have us pay more attention to our children’s needs, and the need for physical touch and attention.

The Poet and Speaker

The person who writes the poem is the poet. The voice in the poem is called the speaker. In a story the voice is called the narrator; the person who writes is called the author. DANGER: It is never safe to think that the poet equals the speaker or the author equals the narrator.

Rhyme

Here are two words that rhyme: hey and way; name and game; standing and writing. Rhyme is when two vowel sounds are the same on one or more syllables with the same consonant sound on the ending. So, financially rhymes with romantically. Rhymes on one sound are masculine; on two or more sounds are feminine.

Half Rhyme

Does “hate” rhyme with “way"? This is called “half rhyme”, “slant rhyme”, and for us we can use the term “assonance.”

Consonance

What is the relationship between “hate” and “get"? These words have the same consonant sound at the end.

Alliteration

If the words share the same consonant sound at the beginning, it is called alliteration. Shoot and shoe demonstrate alliteration and assonance.

Internal Rhyme

When two words rhyme or share a sound device on the same line it is called “internal.”

End Rhyme

If it rhymes on the end it is called “end rhyme.”

“He is a pig.” This is a metaphor that compares a man with a pig. If you know pigs, you know him. If you say, “he is like a pig,” or “he is as messy as a pig” then we call it simile. Simile is a special kind of metaphor. Parent to son: “Your room is a pigsty”!

A + B = Metaphor

Bearhug + “dark squeeze of death”. He is troubled by the connotation of the word “bearhug”. It brings to mind thoughts of “death” associated with a dangerous animal.

The action of the boy (locking to his father) is compared to a “magnet of blood”. The blood is also compared to the thing called “magnet”

Narrative and Lyric

A “narrative” poem tells a story. A “lyric” poem contains deep emotional feelings. This poem both tells a little story about a father and his son at bedtime; it also contains deep feelings about what it means to be a father, and how touching is important in a relationship with a child.

Structures

There are fourteen lines and three stanzas (groups of lines in a poem similar to a paragraph). Could this be a sonnet? Yes, it follows some of the rules: it has 14 lines, two sestets and a couplet (like Shakespeare). Call it a modern sonnet. Shakespearean sonnet or Petrarchan sonnet.

Quiz on these terms

Return to top

Afternoon Class Notes

General Comments

The poem creates a warm feeling in us. It shows a physical relationship between a father and his son based on touch. The poem has a sense of family in it. It creates an emotional feeling in me that is a physical sensation.

There is a sense of a modern relationship between father and son. Often, even today, fathers are remote from their sons.

Rhyme

Two words that rhyme are “same” and “game” or “mat” and “hat” or “blood” and “flood” or “weigh” and “say."

The rule: when the vowel sound in the word and the consonant sound at the end of the word are the same, then it is called rhyme. Rhyme at the end of a line of poetry is called “end rhyme.” Rhyme on one syllable is masculine rhyme. The words “going” and “showing” rhyme on two syllables; this is called feminine rhyme. If the rhyme is inside one line of poetry it is called internal rhyme.

Assonance

These two words show assonance: “hate” and “rake.” Assonance is when two words have the same vowel sound but different consonant sounds at the beginning and end of the word.

Consonance

These two words show consonance: “task” and “whisk." Consonance is when two words have the same ending consonant sound, but different beginning consonant sounds and different middle vowel sounds.

Alliteration

These two words show alliteration: “stay” and “style”. Note that “stay” and “sound” are not alliteration. Alliteration is when two words have the same beginning consonant sound, but different middle vowel and ending consonant sound.

Metaphor

He is a pig, but “he” is a man. He may eat too much, or he may be messy or dirty or lazy. The metaphor compares two things and asks you to understand one because you understand the other.

He is like a pig. He is as messy as a pig. (these are similes; you can tell if we use “like” or “as” to make the comparison)

Your room is a pigsty! (said to the children who have a messy room)

The word “bearhug” is a metaphor itself. A bear’s strong grip is compared to a big human hug. In the poem, the bearhug is compared to a “dark squeeze of death.”

“magnet of blood” can be said as “blood is a magnet” and if you think of your family or relatives you will probably understand this feeling.

The “thin tough body” “locks” like a magnet as well. The metaphor is multiple.

Narrative and Lyric

Narrative means there is a story in the poem. Lyric means the poem contains strong feelings and emotions.

Structure

The poem has fourteen lines and three stanzas.

Quiz on these terms

Return to top