Introduction to Poetry
Parlindungan Pardede
Definitions
Poetry is the oldest form of literary works in every culture. It is as old as the history of mankind and primal and primary form of languages themselves. Despite that, a universal definition of poetry has never been formulated. Any attempt to define poetry only produces one or more characteristics of poem. The followings are some results of the trials to define poetry.
Etymologically, the term ‘poetry’ was adapted from the ancient Greek ποιεω (poieo), which means ‘I create’. In this sense, poetry is an art form in which human language is used for its aesthetic qualities in addition to, or instead of, its notional and semantic content. It consists largely of oral or literary works in which language is used in a manner that is felt by its user and audience to differ from ordinary prose.
Poetry is a literary work that evokes a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience or a specific emotional response through language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm. It is the other way of using language, in the sense that it says more and says it more intensely than ordinary language does. It may use condensed or compressed form to convey emotion or ideas to the reader’s or listener’s mind or ear; it may also use devices such as assonance and repetition to achieve musical or incantatory effects. Poems frequently rely for their effect on imagery, word association, and the musical qualities of the language used. The interactive layering of all these effects to generate meaning is what marks poetry.
Determining the Meaning of Poems
Many people seem to feel that while they may like novels and movies well enough; poetry is somehow alien to their lives. In general, this is caused by a genuine lack of understanding of what the poet is trying to do and the techniques poets generally employ. Like other literary genres, i.e. fiction and drama, poetry has its specific characteristics, and to learn these is to enhance one’s understanding and appreciation of it forms.
As what has been explained above, poetry might be defined as a kind of language that says more and says it more intensely than ordinary language does. In order to understand this fully, we need to understand what it is that poetry “says,” because language essentially has three different uses: the practical (to provide information), the hortatory (to persuade), and the literary (to share experience). These three uses of language are not sharply divided. They may be thought as a three points of a triangle; most actual specimens of written language fall somewhere within the triangle. Most poems convey some information, and some others may persuade the reader. But since the poets’ desire to communicate experiences predominates, it goes into the domain of literary use of language, not of practical or hortatory uses.
- To understand and respond to a poem you must read it carefully and should observe the following five important rules:
- Read the poem more than once. To get a poem’s full meaning, two or more readings may be necessary. A poem is not like a newspaper, to be hastily read and cast into the wastebasket. It is to be hung on the wall of one’s mind.
- Read the poem aloud, or, if you can’t bring yourself to read aloud, at least sound the poem in your mind’s ear. Try to catch the speaker’s tone of voice. Poetry is written to be heard: its meanings are conveyed through sound as well as through print. Every word is therefore important.
- Keep a dictionary by you and use it. It is useless to try to understand poetry without troubling to learn the meanings of the words of which it is composed.
- Always pay careful attention to what the poem is saying. As far as possible, avoid putting your own ideas and feelings into the poem. Examine closely what the poet has actually written. To help you begin getting what the poem is saying, try to find the answer of relevant questions listed below. It is not necessary to find the answer of all questions. Just select a few items as the basis of the ideas which will lead to a detailed and interesting analysis of the poem.
Who is the speaker? What kind of person is she/he?
- Is there an identifiable audience for the speaker? What can you know about the audience?
- What is the message?
- What is the occasion?
- What is the setting in time (hour, season, century, etc.)?
- What is the setting in place (indoors or out, city or country, land or sea, region, country, etc.)?
- What is the central purpose of the poem?
- What is the poem about? State the central idea or theme of the poem in a single sentence.
6. Think about the effects of reading the poem on you. Jot down your responses to the following questions:
- Do you find the poem interesting? Why or why not?
- Do some things on it interest you more than others? If so, why?
- Does anything in it puzzle you? If so, what?
Good morning Mr.its the first i find your paper and i am very interested,could you help me to change the Indonesian poem to English Mr?
sorry Mr, I very late to give the comment
God is Painting the sky
1. The speaker is Mother.
2. She talking to her daughter.
3. The message is my life is wonderful like a rainbow. Don’t afraid about everything, because God have a good plan for ur life. When u get a bad day, don’t afraid, because God can give u a Cheerfull like a raibow after rain .
4. Yes, does is
hi sir….
well, I will try to answer the question olthough I’ve read over and over again but it is hard to understand.
1. Lucy characters is : She can’t live in a society that she was always alone
2.To violet because she was felt his life suffering but no one else who saw it.
To star because she was pretty, interasting but no one saw her
3. The general meaning : do not be alone because we need each other
The detail meaning : with good comunication we can live to socialize with other
people
The intention : share love and kindness to others around us because we are need each other.
Hello Maria,
Your answer is interesting. However, to get more insights, please study your friends’ responses and see every note I wrote. To grow faster, we need to learn from other people’s experiences. Good Luck!
Hello sir,,, sorry i’m late to comment this poem. i feel this poem so difficult, but i try to comment this poem….
1. I think that, Lucy is a loner girl and especially away from the people around.
2. Compare a violet to a star because, i think Lucy is a beautiful girl or has a light on herself (but nobody know about that)/
3. General meaning : a story from a loner person
Detailed meaning : Lucy is a loner girl, and forever nobody know about her if Lucy far from another people..
The intention : We must always grateful, and respect/ take care to our self and to another people.
Hello Netty,
Please read my comment to Romaita in this section. Keep practicing to make your skills perfect.
Hi sir
I’ll try to answer ur question
1. Lucy is a loner she polite and imagine
2. Why lucy like violet and like a star, lucy look like the beauty girl from many girl in the world
3. The conclude from the poetry is life look like a problem but we should to saw the problem from the right side
Well, Naomi. Please study your friends’ responses to the same poem. Study also every note I wrote. Don’t forget that to develop faster, we need to learn from other people’s experiences–including their mistakes. Good Luck!
1. the poet tells us about Lucy is a loner, Because he thinks many people who praised the successes but the loss of love, attention from the people who loved him
2. To violet because Lucy actually was a beautiful and good maid but only few people who knew and loved her.
3. the general meaning: When Lucy ceased to be; She lived unknown, and few could know
The detailed meaning: We must to respect someone who has been good to us because with it we can care for that person
The intention:we have a lot to do God’s commandments and prohibitions before we die because we do not carry anything other than his good deeds on earth.
Dear Frewica,
I see that you managed to get some parts of the message of the poet. In order to get more complete ideas, please study your friends’ responses to the same poem. Study also every note I wrote. Don’t forget that to develop faster, we need to learn from other people’s experiences–including their mistakes. Good Luck!
Good Morning Sir !
These are my answers :
1. Lucy’s character: She was so lonely, lack of love, beautiful but unadorned.
2. to violet because she was beautiful but unadorned.
To star because she was beautiful but she never realized it.
3. The general meaning of this poetry: a humble life of a special person.
The detailed meaning: Lucy never know that she can be a shining star because she never realized whatever that she have.
The intention: Finding our potency, be a special person with the humble life and never be a arrogant person.
Good job, Dian. However, please note that I expect every answer to be written in complete sentences. I believe you can do it well in the next assignments. Good luck.
1.) Lucy’s Characters –> She are nice, polite, loner and calm.
2.) He compare a violet and a star because her beauty and kindness as the star but her existence is not clearly visible in that place.
3.) General meaning –> A nice girl who feels lonely.
Detailed meaning –> Lucy are nice, polite, loner, and calm person during his life. But, after Lucy died, he just felt it.
The Intention of Poet –> We must to respect someone who has been good to us because with it we can care for that person. Don’t see someone from her/his position but see the kindness.
Good points, Nilam! But from now on, please write every answer in complete sentences. I’d like everyone develop their writing skill in addition to develop their knowledge on poetry. Good luck!
Sir…I also think this poem is difficult. Sorry if I make a mistake in my answer.
1. A woman who worked as a maid and
feel lonely in the midst of luxury to others,
namely her master. ( may be…).
She never appreciated during his lifetime.
2. A violet by a mossy stone
Half hidden from the eye!
>>>>Means she is a good woman but
Her kindness was never seen or noticed.
She was a beautiful woman but no one see her because she was a maid.
Fair as a star, when only one
Is shining in the sky.
>>>>Means she has no spirit or desperate that the light is dim.
3.a. The neglected life of Lucy.
b. The poem tells us about the life of a woman who during her life was neglected, but after she died someone is aware of all his kindness and regrets all that has happened.
c. We must respect all people even though she/he was just a maid.
And love them while they were still alive so no regret.
Hallo Romaita,
Why do you always say the poem you read is difficult? If you keep on thinking that way it will block ideas from entering your mind. Just think positively. Always remember that we are what we think. If you think something is difficult to do, it will seems difficult to you.
I suggest you to compare your ideas about the poem to the ones belong to your friends’. Good luck!
1. The poet tell us about Lucy’s character is that Lucy is loner.
2. To a violet because Lucy actually is a beautiful maid girl and but only few people who knew and then compare to star because she is a beauty person among others and she can shine like a star.
3. The general meaning: a beautiful person.
The detail meaning: Lucy is a loner person because she lives in a place that no one else.
The intention: don’t live alone because of human need each other.
Dear Linda,
Your ideas are basically interesting. Unfortunately, some errors in your sentences make the idea unclear. Please develop your writing skill. I believe you can do far better!
sir, this poem is very difficult, but I’ll try to answer. Here they are:
1. Lucy’s character is a loner.
2. He compares her to a violet because she is the only one there. Lucy actually was beautiful girl but there is no one that can realize it
3. The general meaning: a beautiful girl who feels lonely.
The detailed meaning :Lucy is a loner person, because she lives in a place that no one else lives around. intention of the poet: we always need each other to take care, to help, and so on.
Dear Yuliana,
My comment to these answers of yours are similar to what I tell Sri Darma. Be careful with your writing skill. Good luck.
1. The poet tell us Lucy’s character is that Lucy is a loner, and looks like no one care or interest of her.
2. He compares her to a violet because Lucy actually is a beautiful maid girl but no one can see or realize it. The writer also compares her to a star because actually she can also be famous girl, shining around the people which every people can see.
3. The general meaning: the girl who feels so lonely.
The detailed meaning : first stanza :how lonely the maid girl which no one to praise even love her. ; second stanza : she is hiding behind her beauty and her shine. ; third stanza : the writer compare him and her and he feels how different they are.
Dear Sri Darma,
Your ideas show that you understood the poem quite deeply. I like it! However, you need to be more careful with your writing. Please practice to write effective sentences. For instance, instead of writing “The poet tell us Lucy’s character is that Lucy is a loner, and looks like no one care or interest of her”, it’s better to write: “The poet tells us that Lucy is a loner. It seems no one cares for or feel interested in her.”
To write effectively, first, read a lot authentic materials so that you know how native speakers express their idea in text. Second, practice writing a lot, because practice makes perfect. Good luck.
I’ll try to answer this poem sir!
1. the poet tell us about Lucy character who is very loner, because she lives in a place that no one else is living around.she is consider as a good and beautiful person among the other in that area and abandon person, because no one else care about her
2.because Lucy like a violet in the mossy stone, she is like a violet, that has a beauty in a place that no one else is living so she is the only one that consider beautiful among others and then compare to a star is the same like violet, the only star is shining in the sky. means that she is the only one that are visible as a good and beauty person among others
3. general meaning= a person that is consider as a good and beautiful person is being ignored because she is a loner,and live in a place where other cant/wont reach it. detailed meaning= Lucy is a loner person, because she lives in a place that no one else is living around.intention of the poet= don’t be a loner person,we still need other to live, because we are society people
Dear Yesi,
Based on your answer, I can conclude that you got the meaning of the poem quite comprehensively. However, some trivial errors in your writing spoil the idea you communicate. Look at the followings to illustrate:
1.
the[The] poettell[tells] us aboutLucy character who is very loner[a loner named Lucy], because she[who lives ina place that no one else is living around[in a remoted place].she[She] is …2.
because[Because] Lucy like a violet in the mossy stone, she is like a violet, that has a beauty in a place that no one else is living so she is the only one that consider beautiful among others and then compare to a star is the same like violet, … (This sentence is so complicated that the meaning is obscure)Would please rewrite your answers correctly?
This poem is rather difficult, but I`ll try:
1. Lucy`s character: calm, patient, and modest.
2. To violet because Lucy actually was a beautiful and good maid but only few people who knew and loved her.
To star: altough she was alone and forgotten, she still could give the spirit in forgotten places.
3. The general meaning: a beautiful forgotten maid.
The detailed meaning: Lucy; a calm, beautiful, patient and modest maid but was forgotten until her death. After her death, he was aware of Lucy`s beautiful and now he was so sad.
The intention: Don`t be late to love and took care of someone that need that or it will come the time that you cannot give that again.
Good response. But I suggest you to practice writing again and again so that your expression will be more accurate. Practice makes perfect!
yeahh, I will, thank you, Sir
Dear all,
Read the following poem and answer the three questions that follow briefly but concisely.
Lucy
She dwelt among the untrodden ways
Beside the springs of Dove,
A maid whom there were none to praise
And very few to love:
A violet by a mossy stone
Half hidden from the eye!
Fair as a star, when only one
Is shining in the sky.
She lived unknown, and few could know
When Lucy ceased to be;
But she is in her grave, and, oh,
The difference to me!
(William Wordsworth)
Questions
1. What does the poet tell us about Lucy’s character?
2. Why does he compare her to a violet and then to a star?
3. Determine what the general meaning, the detailed meaning, and the intention of the poet.
1. Lucy is a lonely, she lives in a strange place for him, because many are praising his skill, but she loves little attitude or character of the people around her
2. Lucy is like a violet by a distinctive mossy stone missing from the the eyes, she lost everything that shines like a star in the sky
3. The general meaning: Lucy’s feels so lonely.
The detailed meaning :Lucy is a loner person, because she lives in a place that no one else lives around
The intention: life on earth no one is perfect, so many are doing good deeds during life on earth before we died.
Hi Frewica,
Who does ‘him’ in your answer (#1) refer to? This makes what you meant to say unclear.
Your answer for #2 is also a bit obscure.
can you please clarify them?
1.The speaker is mam
2.She is talking to her little child.
3.God has very special ways to make our life colorful.
4.Yes, it does.
Dear Yuliana,
You did a good job. However, you were too far etched for no. 3. “God’s plan is always the best, so that we have to be patient to wait” is probably more suitable.
What do you think?
hank you sir, I have to read the subject and I will try to answer the question.
1. The speaker is Mom.
2. She is talking to her little daughter
3. The message is our life is from the God so before or after we will done our activity we always pray or say Thank you to God. God always give bless.
4. Yes, it does
Thank you sir, I have to read the subject and I will try the question.
1. The speaker is Mom.
2. She is talking to her little daughter
3. The message is our life is from the God so before or after we will done our activity we always pray or say Thank you to God. God always give bless.
4. Yes, it does
Dear Maria,
It seems you really catch what the poet says. However, some grammatical errors in “… from the God so before or after we will done our activity we always pray or say Thank you to God. God always give bless.” make it difficult to get what you meant to say. Can you please correct and clarify it?
Sir,
The answer:
1. The speaker is mother.
2. She is talking to her little daughter.
3. The message is that don`t be afraid if you cannot see or have nice and good thing which you like. Be sure that God absolutely will gives it although in different ways because God`s plan is always good.
4. Yes, It does.
Bravo, Miss Welly.
Your answers are wonderful.
(Ssst… next time it’s very good to reply on time.)
Ok, Sir
ok sir, thank yuou
1. the speaker is mam
2. she is talking to her daughter
3. the message is God has a wonderful plan in our lives. he makes us a more colorful life and only to the God we pray
4. yes, it does
Good job, Linda. Your answers are interesting, except the phrase “he makes us a more colorful life and only to the God we pray”. It’s not very clear. can you please clarify it?
1. the speaker is mama
2. she is talking to her daughter
3. she talks about the greatness of God
the message is God always gives the best way for us because God always give what
we ask for and God has his own way
4. yes,it does
Well done, Yesi.
Dear Frewica,
Very well done! All your answer are correct.
ok sir, thank you very much
1. the speaker is mother
2. she is talking to her daughter
3. the message is only with prayer we are close to God, trust and believe the Lord Jesus hears every prayer we are and have a wonderful plan for our lives
4. yes it does
1.the speaker is a mother
2.she is talking to her daughter
3. the message is God has special ways to color our lives and His ways are the best for us.
4. Yes, it does
Very well done, Cristine!
All your answers are correct! Good job.
1. the speaker is mam
2. she is talking to her daughter
3. the message is God has a great plan in our lives. He creates and makes our life colorful through happiness and sadness and everything has its own time.
4. yes, it does
Good job, Sri Darma. You could cover the whole questions.
Sir…I have read the article but I don’t understand all clearly. I try to answer the questions.
God is Painting the Sky.
1. The speaker is Mam.
2. She is talking to her little girl.
3. She talks about the wonderful creatures of God.
No one knows about everything is happenedbecause it is God’s Secret.
4. Yes, it does.
Well done, Romaita.
Your answers for #1, 2, and 4 are correct. However, please read the details of the poem more carefully to get the message (question # 3).
oke sir, thank you… it means behind of the sorrow will find the happyness.
Dearl all,
After reading the article above, please write down what the following poem is about. Try to cover (1) who is the speaker? (2) To whom he/she is talking to? (3) What message he/she is communicating? (4) Does the title indicate the content?
God is Painting the Sky
The little girl said with a tear in her eye
Where is the sunshine that was up in the sky?
Mama answered with an encouraging smile
Only God knows the answer my child.
God has a plan and I know for sure
Please don’t feel sad, He’ll send the right cure,
Suddenly the little girl giggled out loud
As a cooling breeze blew away the darkened cloud.
There in its place appeared a rainbow so bright
It was truly an incredible, heartwarming sight,
A promise God had made a long time ago
Decorated the Texas sky with a colorful glow.
Mama, she said, God is painting the sky!
Then the little girl pointed to the rainbow so high,
Mama whispered, God has special brushes to make it so large
The rainbow helps us remember who is always in charge.
The little girl reached out to take Mama’s hand
As the sunshine began to cover this Texas land,
Mama always knows, the little girl thought with love
As they walked hand in hand, enjoying the rainbow above.
1. the speaker is mama
2. she is talking to The little girl {her daughter}
3. the message is God has a plan in our lives.
4. yes, it does
Well done, Deni.
But please reply on time next time. I believe you can do it.
Good afternoon Sir ! it’s so nice to read this poem..
and my answer is :
1) the speaker is a mother
2) she is talking this poem to her daughter
3) in my opinion, the message from this poem is everythings that happen in our life is God’s permission. God will never leave us alone to through our problems. So just trust Him with all of our hearts, keep on trying and see what will Go do for us.
4) Yes, it does.
Hello Dian,
Your reply is interesting. But what you wrote for #2 is not clear to me. What do you mean by ‘she is talking this poem to her daughter’? it’s good if you can clarify this. good luck!