by Robert Frost

ü Identifying Subject
ü Identifying Persona and Addressee
ü Analyzing Themes
ü Identifying Poetic Devices
POEM’S ü Appreciating Language and Style

ANALYSIS ü Reflecting on Relevance of Poem

ü Expressing Personal Responses to
Literary Text
ü Reviewing Poetic Devices in the Poem
 Identifying subject
q The subject of the poem is the "Oven
Bird," a bird known for its loud and
distinctive singing.
q The poem explores the bird's
observations about the changing
seasons, particularly the transition
from mid-summer to fall.
 Identifying Persona, and Addressee
q The persona in the poem is the Oven Bird itself. The bird is
portrayed as a knowledgeable and reflective observer of nature,
expressing insights about the seasons and the passage of time.
q While there isn't a direct addressee mentioned in the poem, the
bird's reflections seem to be addressed to the reader or anyone who
listens to its song.
q The poet, Robert Frost, serves as the intermediary conveying the
bird's thoughts to the audience.
 Analyzing Themes
q Nature and Seasons :The poem delves into the
cyclical nature of seasons, emphasizing the changes
from mid-summer to fall. It reflects on the life cycle
of flowers and the inevitable progression of time.
q Impermanence : A major theme is the transient
nature of life, symbolized by the changing seasons
and the fall of blossoms. The bird's question at the
end centers on how to make sense of the diminishing
aspects of life.
 Metaphor : The comparison of mid-
summer to spring as "one to ten" is a
metaphor, illustrating the relative
importance of each season. Identifying Poetic Devices
Personification : The bird is personified,
attributed with the ability to know "in
singing not to sing," suggesting a self-
awareness or purpose in its song.
Imagery : Frost uses vivid imagery, such as "pear
and cherry bloom went down in showers," to create
a visual representation of the changing seasons.
Symbolism : The "highway dust" symbolizes the passage of time
and the ubiquity of change.
 Appreciating Language and Style
q Frost's language is clear and accessible, yet rich in metaphor and
imagery, allowing readers to connect with the natural themes.
q The use of the Oven Bird as a persona adds a layer of depth and
perspective to the exploration of nature and time.
q Frost's style is characterized by a thoughtful and reflective tone,
inviting readers to contemplate the profound questions posed by the
bird.
Reflecting on Relevance of Poem

q The poem remains relevant as it addresses

universal themes of change, impermanence,
and the human struggle to make sense of the
fleeting nature of life.

q The bird's observations can be seen as a

metaphor for human reflection on mortality
and the passage of time.
 Expressing Personal Responses to Literary Text
q Readers might resonate with the
poignant exploration of the
inevitable decline in the natural
world and find parallels in their
own experiences of aging and
change.

q The simplicity of language and the

relatable subject matter make it
accessible for readers to connect
with and reflect on their own lives.
 Reviewing Poetic Devices in the Poem

q Frost effectively employs metaphors, personification,

imagery, and symbolism to convey complex ideas about
nature, time, and the human condition.
q The choice of the Oven Bird as a persona adds a unique
and memorable element to the poem.
q The poem's structure and language contribute to its
timeless appeal and the ease with which readers can
engage with its themes.
 TUTORIAL TASK
In groups of three or four, please select two additional
poems and conduct detailed analyses on them, focusing
on the elements mentioned below:
1. Identifying subject, persona and addressee
2. Analysing themes
3. Identifying poetic devices
4. Appreciating language and style
5. Reflecting on relevance of poem
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6. Expressing personal responses to literary texts
7. Reviewing poetic devices in the poem studied
LIST OF POEMS
q The Player Queen by W.B.Yeats
q In Time of Daffodils by E. E. Cummings
q A Poison Tree by William Blake
q The Voice by Thomas Hardy
q Death of a Village by Cecil Rajendra
q Suicide Note by Janice Mirikitani
q School over by Muhammad Hj Salleh
q I know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou