POETIC MEANING

Written Report

Introduction

Poetic meaning refers to the deeper layers of significance and interpretation that
can be extracted from a poem. It goes beyond the literal or surface-level meaning of
the words and delves into the emotional, symbolic, and aesthetic dimensions of the
poem.

Key Elements of Poetic Meaning

 Literary Devices – Also known as poetic devices or figurative language, are

techniques used by poets to enhance the meaning and impact of their poems.

 Symbolism - the use of objects, images, or actions to represent abstract

ideas or concepts.

 Metaphor - is a figure of speech that directly compares two unrelated

things by stating that one thing is another.

 Personification - attributes human qualities to non-human entities, such

as animals, objects, or abstract concepts.

 Alliteration - is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of

words in close proximity.

 Structure – The arrangement of lines, stanzas, and rhyme schemes can

convey meaning.

 Themes – Themes explore universal ideas and concepts, adding layer of

meaning to the poem.

a) Love - one of the most enduring and universal human experiences,

and has been a source of inspiration for poets throughout the ages.

Ex. “When You Are Old” by William Butler Yeats

b) Nature - It explores and celebrates the natural world and its beauty,
power, and complexity.

Ex. “I Wonder Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth

c) History - History is a broad theme that encompasses many different

sub-themes, including war, politics, social justice, and cultural heritage.

Ex. “The Charge of the Light Brigade” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

 d) Religion - Poems about religion may express faith, doubt, or a search
for spiritual truth.

Ex. “Pied Beauty” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

e) Death - Poems about death may express grief, fear, or acceptance,

and may reflect on the meaning of life and the nature of mortality.

Ex. “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost

Analyzing Poetic Meaning

1. Close Reading: Close reading involves a careful and detailed examination of the
poem's language, imagery, sound devices, and overall structure. It requires paying
close attention to every word, line, and stanza to identify patterns, recurring themes,
and points of emphasis.

2. Identifying Literary Devices: Literary devices, such as metaphor, simile,

personification, symbolism, and alliteration, play a significant role in poetry. They
contribute to the layers of meaning, create vivid imagery, and evoke emotions.

3. Interpretation: Interpretation involves making sense of the poem's meaning by

examining its various elements and considering their possible significance. This step
requires examining the poem's themes, imagery, symbols, and tone.

4. Contextual Analysis: Contextual analysis involves considering the broader

context in which the poem was written and understanding how it may influence the
poet's intentions and the poem's meaning. This includes examining the historical,
cultural, and social context of the poet, as well as any personal or literary influences
that may have shaped their work.

The Significance of Poetic Meaning

1. Emotional Impact: Poetic meaning has the power to tap into and evoke a wide
range of emotions in the reader. Through the careful choice of words, imagery,
and metaphors, poets can create vivid and intense emotional experiences.

2. Aesthetic Appreciation: Poetic meaning often manifests through the skillful

use of language, rhythm, sound patterns, and other literary devices. These
artistic elements contribute to the beauty and musicality of a poem.

3. Thought Provoking: Poetic meaning can be thought-provoking, challenging

our preconceived notions and expanding our understanding of the world. Poets
often explore complex themes, philosophical questions, social issues, and
personal experiences in their work.
 4. Personal Connection: Poetic meaning has the ability to establish a personal
connection between the reader and the poet's words. A well-crafted poem can
resonate with our own experiences, emotions, and thoughts, making us feel
understood and connected to something greater than ourselves.

Summary

By utilizing language, structure, themes, and literary devices, poets explore

and convey difficult concepts, feelings, and experiences. Poetry is a type of artistic
expression that aims to create powerful feelings, spark thought, and present a
distinctive and personal view of the world. It goes beyond merely conveying literal
meaning. Symbolism, allegory, metaphor, oxymoron, allusion, and other literary
devices are frequently used to convey poetic meaning. With the use of these
instruments, poets can build a text with various levels of meaning, encouraging
readers to interact with it on different levels and give it their own unique, subjective
interpretations. Language's capacity to go beyond its usual use and serve as a
vehicle for elevated expression and imaginative inquiry is one of the key components
of poetic meaning. To produce vivid images, elicit sensory sensations, and convey
abstract notions, poets carefully choose their words and arrange them in novel and
surprising ways. Love, nature, spirituality, history, and death are just a few of the
many topics that can be explored in poetry. Poets invite readers to reflect on the
beauty, complexity, and fragility of life by carefully choosing their words and pictures
to portray feelings and experiences that are frequently challenging to explain in
common speech.

References

VALÉRY, P., & Folliot, D. (1958). The Art of Poetry. Princeton University Press.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt7zv5kr

Heilman, R. B. (1983). Cleanth Brooks and “The Well Wrought Urn.” The Sewanee Review, 91(2),
322–334. http://www.jstor.org/stable/27544142

https://www.poetryfoundation.org

https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-are-the-most-common-poetry-themes.htm

Prepared by:

Higana, Jesaiah Mae O.

Flores, Elvin